Unfolding differences in the distribution of coastal marine ecosystem services values among developed and developing countries

Abstract

Faced with the transformation of coastal marine ecosystems and the consequent decline in ecosystem services around the world, the global knowledge about coastal ecosystem services and their values is necessary to support ecosystem-based management policies. The aim of this study is to provide an overview regarding coastal marine ecosystem services and determine the global distribution of the economic benefits provided by these ecosystems and the relation to socio-economic development indicators. We reviewed articles from the Web of Science platform and built thematic maps regarding the valuation of coastal marine ecosystem services around the world. We applied statistical analysis in order to (i) identify in which ecosystems most of the valuation, quantification and ranking studies of ecosystem services are concentrated; (ii) to inform on the protection status of these ecosystems and which kind of valuation methods are more used; and (iii) to understand the relation between the economic values of ecosystem services and socio-economic development indicators (such as GDP and HDI). It was found that wetlands and mangroves are the most quantified and valuated ecosystems. Recreation services are more valuated in Europe and coastal protection stood out in countries that suffer more from storms. The most widely used valuation methods are willingness to pay and market values. The average annual economic values ranged from US $ 1100 to US $ 77 billion. Finally, there is a positive relationship between the economic values of the ecosystem services and the GDP and HDI indicators.