ABSTRACT
The World Forum for Natural Capital relates poor management of the natural environment to catastrophic consequences on ecosystem productivity, human well-being and financial resilience. Approaches to enable businesses to integrate natural capital in their planning and practice have been recognised as priority areas for future research. The research was responsive to demands for approaches allowing for transparent reporting on the dependence of the water sector on natural assets. Transdisciplinary approaches have emerged to address the complexity of systems; these require methods to be constructed around the research goal. The chapter outlines the rationale and methods underpinning the creation of the catchment metabolism (CM) modelling schema and discusses future steps for practical applications of the schema in the UK water sector. The CM schema offers an approach where researchers and end users can conceptualise catchment systems and their processes, which is essential for integrated water resources management.
