Coastal Ecosystem-Based Management with Nonlinear Ecological Functions and Values

Science, Vol. 319, pp. 321-323, January 2008

Posted: 25 Apr 2008

See all articles by Edward B. Barbier

Edward B. Barbier

Colorado State University, Fort Collins - Department of Economics

Evamaria W. Koch

University of Maryland - Center for Environmental Science

Brian R. Silliman

University of Florida

Sally D. Hacker

Oregon State University

Eric Wolanski

James Cook University; Australian Institute of Marine Science

Jurgenne Primavera

University of the Philippines

Elise F. Granek

Portland State University

Stephen Polasky

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities - Department of Applied Economics

Shankar Aswani

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)

Lori A. Cramer

Oregon State University

David M. Stoms

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) - Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management

Chris J. Kennedy

University of Wyoming - Department of Economics and Finance

David Bael

University of Minnesota - Department of Applied Economics

Carrie V. Kappel

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)

Gerardo M. E. Perillo

Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía

Denise Reed

University of New Orleans

Abstract

A common assumption is that ecosystem services respond linearly to changes in habitat size. This assumption leads frequently to an all or none choice of either preserving coastal habitats or converting them to human use. However, our survey of wave attenuation data from field studies of mangroves, salt marshes, seagrass beds, nearshore coral reefs, and sand dunes reveals that these relationships are rarely linear. By incorporating nonlinear wave attenuation in estimating coastal protection values of mangroves in Thailand, we show that the optimal land use option may instead be the integration of development and conservation consistent with ecosystem-based management goals. This result suggests that reconciling competing demands on coastal habitats should not always result in stark preservation-versus-conversion choices

Suggested Citation

Barbier, Edward B. and Koch, Evamaria W. and Silliman, Brian R. and Hacker, Sally D. and Wolanski, Eric and Primavera, Jurgenne and Granek, Elise F. and Polasky, Stephen and Aswani, Shankar and Cramer, Lori A. and Stoms, David M. and Kennedy, Chris J. and Bael, David and Kappel, Carrie V. and Perillo, Gerardo M. E. and Reed, Denise J., Coastal Ecosystem-Based Management with Nonlinear Ecological Functions and Values. Science, Vol. 319, pp. 321-323, January 2008, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1113785

Edward B. Barbier (Contact Author)

Colorado State University, Fort Collins - Department of Economics ( email )

Fort Collins, CO 80523-1771
United States

Evamaria W. Koch

University of Maryland - Center for Environmental Science ( email )

Solomons, MD 20688
United States

Brian R. Silliman

University of Florida ( email )

Gainesville, FL 32611
United States
352 392-1137 (Phone)

Sally D. Hacker

Oregon State University ( email )

Bexell Hall 200
Corvallis, OR 97331
United States

Eric Wolanski

James Cook University ( email )

Cairns, Queensland 4878
Australia

Australian Institute of Marine Science

Australia

Jurgenne Primavera

University of the Philippines ( email )

Tigbauan, Iloilo 5021
Philippines

Elise F. Granek

Portland State University ( email )

PO Box 751
Portland, OR 97207

Stephen Polasky

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities - Department of Applied Economics ( email )

1994 Buford Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
United States
612-625-9213 (Phone)
612-625-2729 (Fax)

Shankar Aswani

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) ( email )

South Hall 5504
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
United States

Lori A. Cramer

Oregon State University ( email )

David M. Stoms

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) - Donald Bren School of Environmental Science & Management ( email )

4670 Physical Sciences North
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-5131
United States

Chris J. Kennedy

University of Wyoming - Department of Economics and Finance ( email )

1000. E. University Ave
Laramie, WY 82070
United States

David Bael

University of Minnesota - Department of Applied Economics ( email )

1994 Buford Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
United States

Carrie V. Kappel

University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) ( email )

South Hall 5504
Santa Barbara, CA 93106
United States

Gerardo M. E. Perillo

Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía ( email )

Argentina

Denise J. Reed

University of New Orleans ( email )

2000 Lakeshore Drive
New Orleans, LA 70148
United States

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