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Abstract
Quantifying natural resources as natural capital and the valuation of the ecosystem services that flow from natural
capital stocks are emerging areas of science. Are these developing concepts compatible with current resource
management legislation? Can these ideas be used in judicial proceedings to protect natural capital and maintain the
portfolio value of nature‟s ecosystem services? We describe two recent cases in New Zealand where natural capital
concepts were used in the Environment Court to protect land from peri-urban creep and to protect receiving water
quality through the allocation of a nutrient discharge allowance to land. Results have been mixed, with prospects
appearing good.