The socio-economic costs and benefits of coastal habitat rehabilitation and creation
Spurgeon, J. (1998). The socio-economic costs and benefits of coastal habitat rehabilitation and creation. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 37(8-12): 373-382
In: Marine Pollution Bulletin. Macmillan: London. ISSN 0025-326X; e-ISSN 1879-3363, more
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| Keywords |
Aquatic habitats
Coastal zone
Conservation > Nature conservation
Costs
Economics
Economics > Socioeconomics
Environments > Aquatic environment > Marine environment
Flora > Weeds > Marine organisms > Seaweeds > Sea grass
Habitat
Habitat improvement
Management > Ecosystem management
Management > Ecosystem management > Coastal zone management
Protection > Environmental protection
Reefs
Reefs > Biogenic deposits > Coral reefs
Restoration
Socioeconomic aspects
Sociological aspects
Water bodies > Coastal waters
Water bodies > Coastal waters > Coastal landforms > Coastal inlets > Estuaries
Water bodies > Inland waters > Wetlands > Marshes > Salt marshes
Water bodies > Inland waters > Wetlands > Swamps > Mangrove swamps
Marine/Coastal |
| Abstract |
This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the merits and limitations of using an economics based approach to assess and implement initiatives for coastal habitat rehabilitation and creation. A review of the literature indicates that habitat rehabilitation/creation costs vary widely between and within ecosystems. For coral reefs, costs range from US$ 10,000 to 6.5 million/hectare (ha); for mangroves US$ 3000-510,000/ha; for sea-grasses US$ 9000-680,000/ha and for saltmarshes US$ 2000-160,000/ha. A review of the economic benefits derived from various coastal habitats based on a 'Total Economic Value' approach (i.e. accounting for direct and indirect uses, and 'non-uses') reveals that many thousands of US$ per hectare could ultimately accrue from their rehabilitation/creation. The paper concludes that despite its limitations, the 'benefit-cost analysis' framework can play an important role both in assessing the justification of coastal habitat rehabilitation/creation initiatives, and by helping to improve the overall effectiveness of such initiatives. |
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