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Salzau 2010
Abstracts
2010
February
The ecosystem service value of coastal wetlands for cyclone
protection in Australia.
a
Petina Pert *, Robert Costanzac, Erin Bohenskyb, Iris Bohneta, James
Butlera, Ida Kubiszewskic and Paul Suttond
aCSIRO
Sustainable Ecosystems, Australian Tropical Forest Institute, James Cook University PO Box
12139, Earlville BC, Cairns QLD 4870, Australia
bCSIRO
Sustainable Ecosystems, Davies Laboratory, PMB Aitkenvale, Queensland, 4814, Australia
Institute for Ecological Economics, Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources,
The University of Vermont, 617 Main Street, Burlington, VT 05405-1708, USA
dUniversity of Denver, Division of Natural Science and Mathematics, Department of Geography, 2050
East Iliff Avenue, Denver, Colorado, 80208
*Corresponding author; email: [email protected]; phone: +61 7 4059 5006; fax:
+61 7 4055 6338
cGund
Abstract
Wetlands deliver a wide range of ecosystem services that contribute to human
well-being. Here we examine the value of coastal wetlands for cyclone and
coastal protection in Australia. Natural events such as cyclones threaten the
health and well-being of human society however we can plan to minimise the
impacts of such natural events. Sea level rise, an increase in cyclone
intensity, and increase in storm surges associated with climate change will
result in the erosion of shores and habitats, increased salinity of estuaries and
freshwater aquifers, altered tidal ranges in rivers and bays, changes in
sediment transport, and increased coastal flooding and, in turn, could
increase the vulnerability of coastal populations. Coastal wetlands, such as
mangroves and floodplains, barrier islands, and coastal vegetation, all play a
critical role in reducing the impacts of floodwaters produced by coastal storm
events and tropical cyclones as well as the physical buffering of climate
change impacts. They provide many non-marketed and marketed benefits to
people, and the total economic value of unconverted wetlands is often greater
than converted wetlands. There are many examples of the economic values
of intact wetlands exceeding that of converted or otherwise altered wetlands
and these are discussed here.
Clearing and drainage, often for agricultural expansion, and increased
withdrawal of fresh water are the main reasons for the loss and degradation of
inland wetlands such as swamps, marshes, rivers, and associated floodplain
water bodies. The primary direct driver of the loss and degradation of coastal
wetlands, including saltwater marshes, mangroves, seagrass meadows, and
coral reefs, has been the conversion to other land uses. The primary indirect
drivers of change have been the growth of human populations in coastal
areas coupled with growing economic activity and these are discussed in
context to Australian seachange phenomenon. In an era when mankind’s
activities are the dominant force influencing biological communities and
ecosystems, proper management requires understanding of the pattern and
processes in biological systems and development of assessment and
evaluation procedures that assure protection of biological resources. That
assessment must include the value of ecosystem services.