Abstract
The valuation of ecosystem services is a complex process as it includes several dimensions (ecological, socio-cultural and economic) and not all of these can be quantified in monetary units. The aim of this paper is to conduct an ecosystem services valuation study for mangroves ecosystems, the results of which can be used to inform governance and management of mangroves. We used an expert-based participatory approach (the Delphi technique) to identify, categorize and rank the various ecosystem services provided by mangrove ecosystems at a global scale. Subsequently we looked for evidence in the existing ecosystem services literature for monetary valuations of these ecosystem service categories throughout the biogeographic distribution of mangroves. We then compared the relative ranking of ecosystem service categories between the monetary valuations and the expert based analysis. The experts identified 16 ecosystem service categories, six of which are not adequately represented in the literature. There was no significant correlation between the expert based valuation (the Delphi technique) and the economic valuation, indicating that the scope of valuation of ecosystem services needs to be broadened. Acknowledging this diversity in different valuation approaches, and developing methodological frameworks that foster the pluralism of values in ecosystem services research, are crucial for maintaining the credibility of ecosystem services valuation. To conclude, we use the findings of our dual approach to valuation to make recommendations on how to assess and manage the ecosystem services provided by mangrove ecosystems.
Highlights
The sustainable provision of the goods and services that we derive from nature is essential to human well-being and survival [1,2,3]
Economic valuations of ecosystem services (ES) improve the transparency of the valuation process and may thereby usher in better decision making about ES [16]
Expert based valuation There was a high level of consensus amongst the experts even though they worked in a range of different field sites, biogeographical regions and socio-economic settings across the globe
Summary
The sustainable provision of the goods and services that we derive from nature (i.e. ecosystem services) is essential to human well-being and survival [1,2,3]. The consequences of the widespread decline of these ecosystem services (ES) have been amply demonstrated by research in the past decade [4,5]. 60%) of the major global ES have either been degraded or used unsustainably [2] These ES range from provisioning services such as freshwater and fisheries, to regulating services such as air and water purification and climate regulation, to cultural and aesthetic services. Following the seminal work by Costanza et al [3] and the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment [2] which involved 1300 scientists, valuation of ES has received unprecedented attention in the last decade [11,12,13]. Costanza et al [16] state that valuing ecosystems and their services is inevitable (even if it is implicit) in any decision involving trade-offs concerning them. Economic valuations of ES improve the transparency of the valuation process and may thereby usher in better decision making about ES [16]
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