Valuing benefits of mangroves and coral reefs in the Caribbean

Abstract

Coastal ecosystems such as mangroves and coral reefs provide multiple ecosystem services, including benefits for fisheries, recreation, tourism, and carbon sequestration. But values of these services are often not fully accounted for in policy and management decisions, and these ecosystems continue to be lost at alarming rates. This policy brief reviews current knowledge on the ecosystem service benefits provided by coral reefs and mangroves, except for flood protection, which is researched and addressed in a companion brief. The analysis of this brief is focused geographically in the Caribbean, with an emphasis on Jamaica, Grenada, and the Dominican Republic. A comprehensive assessment of the monetary and non-monetary benefits provided by these coastal ecosystems helps to understand how they contribute to human well-being and increase resilience in coastal areas. This understanding helps inform policies for improving coastal resilience, conservation, and restoration.