About the Governance of Agro-ecosystem Services

(Agro)ecosystem services is a „new“ term, which is rapidly and widely used in academic studies, and policies and business practices around the globe. Nevertheless, studies associated with agroecosystem services and their “management“ are at the beginning stage. This article suggests a holistic framework for defining, evaluating and improving governance system of agro-ecosystem services. Interdisciplinary Theory of Ecosystem Services and New Institutional Economy are adapted, governance of agroecosystem services defined, related agents identified, principle forms and mechanisms classified, efficiency criterion formulated, and stages for analysis and improvement characterized. New approach is based on building up a hierarchy of agro-ecosystems and services of different levels, and assessment of efficiency and complementarities of governance modes and mechanisms corresponding to each level of agroecosystem services „provision“.