Non-Linearity in Ecosystem Services: Temporal and Spatial Variability in Coastal Protection

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 char...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in ecology and the environment 2009-02, Vol.7 (1), p.29-37
Main Authors: Koch, Evamaria W., Barbier, Edward B., Silliman, Brian R., Reed, Denise J., Perillo, Gerardo M. E., Hacker, Sally D., Granek, Elise F., Primavera, Jurgenne H., Muthiga, Nyawira, Polasky, Stephen, Halpern, Benjamin S., Kennedy, Christopher J., Kappel, Carrie V., Wolanski, Eric
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomass
Coastal ecology
Ecological function
Ecosystem services
Ecosystems
Littoral ecosystems
Mangrove forests
Marine
Plants
Reviews
Wave attenuation
Wetland ecology
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1540-9295
1540-9309
DOI:10.1890/080126