Economic valuation and socioeconomics of coral reefs: methodological issues and three case studies

Abstract

In most tropical countries, coral reef ecosystems provide coastal populations with a number of goods and services. However, a variety of anthropogenic practices threatens reef health and therefore jeopardizes the benefits flowing from these goods and services. These threats range from local pollution, sedimentation, destructive fishing practices and coral mining, to global issues such as coral bleaching. By “getting some of the numbers on the table”, economic valuation can help shed light on the importance of the goods and services and show the costs of inaction in the face of threats. Creating markets for sustainable resource use can highlight the value of these goods and services to local populations