Non-linearity in ecosystem services: Temporal and spatial variability in coastal protection

Evamaria W. Koch; Edward B. Barbier; Brian R. Silliman; Denise J. Reed; Gerardo M.E. Perillo; Sally D. Hacker; Elise F. Granek; Jurgenne H. Primavera; Nyawira Muthiga; Stephen Polasky; Benjamin S. Halpern; Christopher J. Kennedy; Carrie V. Kappel; Eric Wolanski

doi:10.1890/080126

Non-linearity in ecosystem services: Temporal and spatial variability in coastal protection

Evamaria W. Koch, Edward B. Barbier, Brian R. Silliman, Denise J. Reed, Gerardo M.E. Perillo, Sally D. Hacker, Elise F. Granek, Jurgenne H. Primavera, Nyawira Muthiga, Stephen Polasky, Benjamin S. Halpern, Christopher J. Kennedy, Carrie V. Kappel, Eric Wolanski

Applied Economics

Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review

620 Scopus citations

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.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	29-37
Number of pages	9
Journal	Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
Volume	7
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1890/080126
State	Published - Feb 2009

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Koch, E. W., Barbier, E. B., Silliman, B. R., Reed, D. J., Perillo, G. M. E., Hacker, S. D., Granek, E. F., Primavera, J. H., Muthiga, N., Polasky, S., Halpern, B. S., Kennedy, C. J., Kappel, C. V., & Wolanski, E. (2009). Non-linearity in ecosystem services: Temporal and spatial variability in coastal protection. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 7(1), 29-37. https://doi.org/10.1890/080126

Koch, EW, Barbier, EB, Silliman, BR, Reed, DJ, Perillo, GME, Hacker, SD, Granek, EF, Primavera, JH, Muthiga, N, Polasky, S, Halpern, BS, Kennedy, CJ, Kappel, CV & Wolanski, E 2009, 'Non-linearity in ecosystem services: Temporal and spatial variability in coastal protection', Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 29-37. https://doi.org/10.1890/080126

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Non-linearity in ecosystem services: Temporal and spatial variability in coastal protection

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