Published In

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2009

Subjects

Coastal ecology, Climatic changes -- Environmental aspects -- United States, Ecosystem services -- Economic aspects

Abstract

Natural processes tend to vary over time and space, as well as between species. The ecosystem services these natural processes provide are therefore also highly variable. It is often assumed that ecosystem services are provided linearly (unvaryingly, at a steady rate), but natural processes are characterized by thresholds and limiting functions. In this paper, we describe the variability observed in wave attenuation provided by marshes, mangroves, seagrasses, and coral reefs and therefore also in coastal protection. We calculate the economic consequences of assuming coastal protection to be linear. We suggest that, in order to refine ecosystem-based management practices, it is essential that natural variability and cumulative effects be considered in the valuation of ecosystem services.

Description

This is the publisher's final PDF. Copyright by the Ecological Society of America

DOI

10.1890/080126

Persistent Identifier

http://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/8957

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