Valuation methods and evidence for ecosystem services from kelp forests
Johanna Zimmerhackel1,3, Karen Filbee-Dexter1,2, Michael Burton3, Thomas Wernberg1,2 and the GEAKs4
1UWA Oceans Institute & School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009 WA, Australia
2Flødevigen Research Station, Institute of Marine Research, N-4817 His, Norway
3Centre for Environmental Economics and Policy, University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009 WA, Australia
4Members of the Global Ecosystem services Assessment for Kelp forests’ network.
Kelp forests provide a wide range of ecosystem services to societies worldwide. The importance of understanding ecosystem services and their associated values for evidence-based management and conservation is increasingly recognized. However, determining the value of these ecosystem services from kelp is challenging and potentially undermines effective management of these ecosystems. This is particularly important because stressors such as ocean warming, marine heatwaves and pollution are causing declines of kelp forests in many eco-regions. The Global Ecosystem Service Assessment of Kelp Forests (GEAK) network assessed the current state of knowledge of the ecosystem services provided by kelp forests in 78 ecoregions globally. Here we describe appropriate methods to measure the total economic value of kelp forests and relate these to underlying economic principles for ecosystem valuation. We compiled a data base of biophysical measures of ecosystem function and economic data on these benefits to quantify the value associated with different kelp ecosystems. Our data base was predominately market values from provisioning services (e.g., commercial fisheries, direct kelp harvest). Far less understood are the values of regulating (carbon sequestration and nutrient cycling), cultural (tourism and recreation), and supporting services (habitat creation and maintenance and biodiversity). We discuss the application of these values under different policy scenarios and their relevance to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Presentation Slides – Johanna Sophie Zimmerhackel
