Social and economic values of Pacific coral reefs : approach & methodology

Abstract

The Millennium Assessment for the Ecosystems was another big step towards the development of studies relative to reef economic value. Chapter 2, thus, offers a standard method to assess ecological services and goods provided by ecosystems that will allow the multiplication of this kind of studies (Millennium Ecological Assessment, 2003). At this time, first semester 2008, economic or socio-economic valuation of coral reefs has become a priority issue for many funding agencies and studies are multiplying. Considering the recreational value of the reefs only, 160 studies have been listed by Brander et al. (2007). According to a recent report from the French Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development and management, only 11 out of the essential 33 relating to goods and services provided by coral reef ecosystems are anterior to 1997. The 1997-2006 period has clearly been more productive in that respect than the previous decade (Blanquet, 2008).