1
|
Liu B, Wu X, Liu X, Gong M. An improved method of assessing marine utilization impact to describe the man-land relationship for coastal management: a case study of the Laizhou Bay, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022:10.1007/s11356-022-20469-7. [PMID: 35513626 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20469-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the level of human impact on the marine environment requires integrated and ecosystem-based assessment. This research proposes a method based on geospatial modeling at the activity level to assess the potential impact of marine utilization on coastal management and conservation. Laizhou Bay in China was selected as a case study. The research identified the spatial distribution of economic sectors and the potential impact of that distribution on important marine ecological management zones. The findings reveal that, from high to low, threats exist in the bay-head, and to the east and west, and that marine ecological zones are over-used for open mariculture because the environmental impact of this activity is believed to be low. This paper reveals the spatial distribution of threats from a variety of marine-area uses on the ecology of Laizhou Bay. The findings provide support for policymakers in the implementation of marine ecological red-line policy and in the management of the utilization of the marine environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baijing Liu
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, People's Republic of China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 101400, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqing Wu
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xin Liu
- Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, People's Republic of China
| | - Meng Gong
- Provincial Geomatics Center of Jiangsu, Nanjing, 210013, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ward D, Melbourne-Thomas J, Pecl GT, Evans K, Green M, McCormack PC, Novaglio C, Trebilco R, Bax N, Brasier MJ, Cavan EL, Edgar G, Hunt HL, Jansen J, Jones R, Lea MA, Makomere R, Mull C, Semmens JM, Shaw J, Tinch D, van Steveninck TJ, Layton C. Safeguarding marine life: conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems. REVIEWS IN FISH BIOLOGY AND FISHERIES 2022; 32:65-100. [PMID: 35280238 PMCID: PMC8900478 DOI: 10.1007/s11160-022-09700-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Marine ecosystems and their associated biodiversity sustain life on Earth and hold intrinsic value. Critical marine ecosystem services include maintenance of global oxygen and carbon cycles, production of food and energy, and sustenance of human wellbeing. However marine ecosystems are swiftly being degraded due to the unsustainable use of marine environments and a rapidly changing climate. The fundamental challenge for the future is therefore to safeguard marine ecosystem biodiversity, function, and adaptive capacity whilst continuing to provide vital resources for the global population. Here, we use foresighting/hindcasting to consider two plausible futures towards 2030: a business-as-usual trajectory (i.e. continuation of current trends), and a more sustainable but technically achievable future in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We identify key drivers that differentiate these alternative futures and use these to develop an action pathway towards the desirable, more sustainable future. Key to achieving the more sustainable future will be establishing integrative (i.e. across jurisdictions and sectors), adaptive management that supports equitable and sustainable stewardship of marine environments. Conserving marine ecosystems will require recalibrating our social, financial, and industrial relationships with the marine environment. While a sustainable future requires long-term planning and commitment beyond 2030, immediate action is needed to avoid tipping points and avert trajectories of ecosystem decline. By acting now to optimise management and protection of marine ecosystems, building upon existing technologies, and conserving the remaining biodiversity, we can create the best opportunity for a sustainable future in 2030 and beyond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Delphi Ward
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Jessica Melbourne-Thomas
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Gretta T. Pecl
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Karen Evans
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Madeline Green
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Phillipa C. McCormack
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Adelaide Law School, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5005 Australia
| | - Camilla Novaglio
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Rowan Trebilco
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Narissa Bax
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Stanley, Falkland Islands
| | - Madeleine J. Brasier
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Emma L. Cavan
- Silwood Park Campus, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Berkshire, SL5 7PY UK
| | - Graham Edgar
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Heather L. Hunt
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Brunswick, PO Box 5050, Saint John,, New Brunswick E2L 4L5 Canada
| | - Jan Jansen
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Russ Jones
- Hereditary Chief, Haida Nation, PO Box 1451, Skidegate, B.C. V0T 1S1 Canada
| | - Mary-Anne Lea
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Reuben Makomere
- Faculty of Law, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Chris Mull
- Integrated Fisheries Lab, Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2 Canada
| | - Jayson M. Semmens
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Janette Shaw
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Dugald Tinch
- Tasmanian School of Business & Economics, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Tatiana J. van Steveninck
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Carmabi, Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity, Piscaderabaai z/n, Willemstad, Curaçao
| | - Cayne Layton
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Ward D, Melbourne-Thomas J, Pecl GT, Evans K, Green M, McCormack PC, Novaglio C, Trebilco R, Bax N, Brasier MJ, Cavan EL, Edgar G, Hunt HL, Jansen J, Jones R, Lea MA, Makomere R, Mull C, Semmens JM, Shaw J, Tinch D, van Steveninck TJ, Layton C. Safeguarding marine life: conservation of biodiversity and ecosystems. REVIEWS IN FISH BIOLOGY AND FISHERIES 2022; 32:65-100. [PMID: 35280238 DOI: 10.22541/au.160513367.73706234/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Marine ecosystems and their associated biodiversity sustain life on Earth and hold intrinsic value. Critical marine ecosystem services include maintenance of global oxygen and carbon cycles, production of food and energy, and sustenance of human wellbeing. However marine ecosystems are swiftly being degraded due to the unsustainable use of marine environments and a rapidly changing climate. The fundamental challenge for the future is therefore to safeguard marine ecosystem biodiversity, function, and adaptive capacity whilst continuing to provide vital resources for the global population. Here, we use foresighting/hindcasting to consider two plausible futures towards 2030: a business-as-usual trajectory (i.e. continuation of current trends), and a more sustainable but technically achievable future in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. We identify key drivers that differentiate these alternative futures and use these to develop an action pathway towards the desirable, more sustainable future. Key to achieving the more sustainable future will be establishing integrative (i.e. across jurisdictions and sectors), adaptive management that supports equitable and sustainable stewardship of marine environments. Conserving marine ecosystems will require recalibrating our social, financial, and industrial relationships with the marine environment. While a sustainable future requires long-term planning and commitment beyond 2030, immediate action is needed to avoid tipping points and avert trajectories of ecosystem decline. By acting now to optimise management and protection of marine ecosystems, building upon existing technologies, and conserving the remaining biodiversity, we can create the best opportunity for a sustainable future in 2030 and beyond.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Delphi Ward
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Jessica Melbourne-Thomas
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Gretta T Pecl
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Karen Evans
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Madeline Green
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Phillipa C McCormack
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Adelaide Law School, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5005 Australia
| | - Camilla Novaglio
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Rowan Trebilco
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Narissa Bax
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- South Atlantic Environmental Research Institute, Stanley, Falkland Islands
| | - Madeleine J Brasier
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Emma L Cavan
- Silwood Park Campus, Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Berkshire, SL5 7PY UK
| | - Graham Edgar
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Heather L Hunt
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Brunswick, PO Box 5050, Saint John,, New Brunswick E2L 4L5 Canada
| | - Jan Jansen
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Russ Jones
- Hereditary Chief, Haida Nation, PO Box 1451, Skidegate, B.C. V0T 1S1 Canada
| | - Mary-Anne Lea
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Reuben Makomere
- Faculty of Law, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Chris Mull
- Integrated Fisheries Lab, Department of Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2 Canada
| | - Jayson M Semmens
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Janette Shaw
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Dugald Tinch
- Tasmanian School of Business & Economics, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| | - Tatiana J van Steveninck
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Carmabi, Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity, Piscaderabaai z/n, Willemstad, Curaçao
| | - Cayne Layton
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Castray Esplanade, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
- Centre for Marine Socio-Ecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001 Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhou XY, Lei K, Meng W. An approach of habitat degradation assessment for characterization on coastal habitat conservation tendency. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 593-594:618-623. [PMID: 28363176 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.03.212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Coastal zones are population and economy highly intensity regions all over the world, and coastal habitat supports the sustainable development of human society. The accurate assessment of coastal habitat degradation is the essential prerequisite for coastal zone protection. In this study, an integrated framework of coastal habitat degradation assessment including landuse classification, habitat classifying and zoning, evaluation criterion of coastal habitat degradation and coastal habitat degradation index has been established for better regional coastal habitat assessment. Through establishment of detailed three-class landuse classification, the fine landscape change is revealed, the evaluation criterion of coastal habitat degradation through internal comparison based on the results of habitat classifying and zoning could indicate the levels of habitat degradation and distinguish the intensity of human disturbances in different habitat subareas under the same habitat classification. Finally, the results of coastal habitat degradation assessment could be achieved through coastal habitat degradation index (CHI). A case study of the framework is carried out in the Circum-Bohai-Sea-Coast, China, and the main results show the following: (1) The accuracy of all land use classes are above 90%, which indicates a satisfactory accuracy for the classification map. (2) The Circum-Bohai-Sea-Coast is divided into 3 kinds of habitats and 5 subareas. (3) In the five subareas of the Circum-Bohai-Sea-Coast, the levels of coastal habitat degradation own significant difference. The whole Circum-Bohai-Sea-Coast generally is in a worse state according to area weighting of each habitat subarea. This assessment framework of coastal habitat degradation would characterize the landuse change trend, realize better coastal habitat degradation assessment, reveal the habitat conservation tendency and distinguish intensity of human disturbances. Furthermore, it would support for accurate coastal zone protection measures for the specific coastal area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xi-Yin Zhou
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China; Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China
| | - Kun Lei
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China.
| | - Wei Meng
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rinkevich B. Novel tradable instruments in the conservation of coral reefs, based on the coral gardening concept for reef restoration. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2015; 162:199-205. [PMID: 26241935 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2015.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Revised: 07/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/14/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Nearly all coral reefs bordering nations have experienced net losses in reef biodiversity, goods and services, even without considering the ever-developing global change impacts. In response, this overview wishes to reveal through prospects of active reef-restoration, the currently non-marketed or poorly marketed reef services, focusing on a single coral species (Stylophora pistillata). It is implied that the integration of equity capitals and other commodification with reef-restoration practices will improve total reef services. Two tiers of market-related activities are defined, the traditional first-tier instruments (valuating costs/gains for extracting tradable goods and services) and novel second-tier instruments (new/expanded monetary tools developed as by-products of reef restoration measures). The emerging new suite of economic mechanisms based on restoration methodologies could be served as an incentive for ecosystem conservation, enhancing the sum values of all services generated by coral reefs, where the same stocks of farmed/transplanted coral colonies will be used as market instruments. I found that active restoration measures disclose 12 classes of second-tier goods and services, which may partly/wholly finance restoration acts, bringing to light reef capitalizations that allow the expansion of markets with products that have not been considered before. The degree to which the second tier of market-related services could buffer coral-reef degradation is still unclear and would vary with different reef types and in various reef restoration scenarios; however, reducing the uncertainty associated with restoration. It is expected that the expansion of markets with the new products and the enhancement of those already existing will be materialized even if reef ecosystems will recover into different statuses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baruch Rinkevich
- National Institute of Oceanography, Tel Shikmona, P.O. Box 8030, Haifa 31080, Israel.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Gelcich S, Donlan CJ. Incentivizing biodiversity conservation in artisanal fishing communities through territorial user rights and business model innovation. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2015; 29:1076-1085. [PMID: 25737027 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.12477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Territorial user rights for fisheries are being promoted to enhance the sustainability of small-scale fisheries. Using Chile as a case study, we designed a market-based program aimed at improving fishers' livelihoods while incentivizing the establishment and enforcement of no-take areas within areas managed with territorial user right regimes. Building on explicit enabling conditions (i.e., high levels of governance, participation, and empowerment), we used a place-based, human-centered approach to design a program that will have the necessary support and buy-in from local fishers to result in landscape-scale biodiversity benefits. Transactional infrastructure must be complex enough to capture the biodiversity benefits being created, but simple enough so that the program can be scaled up and is attractive to potential financiers. Biodiversity benefits created must be commoditized, and desired behavioral changes must be verified within a transactional context. Demand must be generated for fisher-created biodiversity benefits in order to attract financing and to scale the market model. Important design decisions around these 3 components-supply, transactional infrastructure, and demand-must be made based on local social-ecological conditions. Our market model, which is being piloted in Chile, is a flexible foundation on which to base scalable opportunities to operationalize a scheme that incentivizes local, verifiable biodiversity benefits via conservation behaviors by fishers that could likely result in significant marine conservation gains and novel cross-sector alliances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Gelcich
- Departamento de Ecologia, Center of Applied Ecology and Sustainability (CAPES) and Centro de Conservacion Marina, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Alameda 340, Santiago, Chile
- Advanced Conservation Strategies (ACS), Midway, 84049, UT, U.S.A
| | - C Josh Donlan
- Advanced Conservation Strategies (ACS), Midway, 84049, UT, U.S.A
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, U.S.A
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Turk-Boyer PJ, Morzaria-Luna HN, Martinez-Tovar I, Downton-Hoffmann C, Munguia-Vega A. Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management of a Biological Corridor Along the Northern Sonora Coastline (NE Gulf of California). ESTUARIES OF THE WORLD 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/978-94-017-8917-2_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
|
8
|
Vassallo P, Paoli C, Rovere A, Montefalcone M, Morri C, Bianchi CN. The value of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica: a natural capital assessment. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2013; 75:157-167. [PMID: 23953894 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.07.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Revised: 07/19/2013] [Accepted: 07/22/2013] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Making nature's value visible to humans is a key issue for the XXI century and it is crucial to identify and measure natural capital to incorporate benefits or costs of changes in ecosystem services into policy. Emergy analysis, a method able to analyze the overall functioning of a system, was applied to reckon the value of main ecosystem services provided by Posidonia oceanica, a fragile and precious Mediterranean seagrass ecosystem. Estimates, based on calculation of resources employed by nature, resulted in a value of 172 € m(-2)a(-1). Sediment retained by meadow is most relevant input, composing almost the whole P. oceanica value. Remarks about economic losses arising from meadow regression have been made through a time-comparison of meadow maps. Suggested procedure represents an operative tool to provide a synthetic monetary measure of ecosystem services to be employed when comparing natural capital to human and financial capitals in a substitutability perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Vassallo
- DISTAV, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita, Genoa University, Italy
| | - Chiara Paoli
- DISTAV, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita, Genoa University, Italy.
| | - Alessio Rovere
- Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University, NY, USA
| | - Monica Montefalcone
- DISTAV, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita, Genoa University, Italy
| | - Carla Morri
- DISTAV, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita, Genoa University, Italy
| | - Carlo Nike Bianchi
- DISTAV, Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, dell'Ambiente e della Vita, Genoa University, Italy
| |
Collapse
|