| Recommended readings This page provides documents of relevance to the economics of large marine ecosystem. It is divided into the following sections: þ Recommended background reading for the Cape Town workshop. P Recommended background reading for the Jeddah workshop.
Principles of economic valuation  Draft regional guidelines for economic valuation
This document dated 3rd August 2006 was a discussion document for the Fifth Meeting of the RTF-E. A final version will be available in the near future. (UNEP/GEF/SCS/RTF-E.5/5, 3 Aug 06)
Economic tools for valuing freshwater and estuarine ecosystem services
Reviews the growing body of research on the economic value of ecosystem services, focusing specifically on water quality and quantity. (by R Kramer) Economic valuation of ecosystem services
From the Sage handbook on the environment and society. (by R Kramer) Economic valuation and socioeconomics of coral reefs: Methodological issues and three case studies
"This paper gives an overview of economic valuation (total economic value, cost benefit analysis) and the techniques supporting it (contingent valuation, travel cost, effect on production, etc.) as they are applied to coral reef ecosystems." (by H Cesar and C K Chong) Economic valuation: Managing marine protected areas
A component of a tool kit for managing MPAs in the Western Indian Ocean The economic value of biodiversity
A classic book on the topic. Began life as a 1993 report to IUCN. Asks why biodiversity disappears and how its economic value might be captured by various institutional mechanisms. (by D Pearce and D Moran) Economic values of protected areas
Introduces protected area managers to the concepts, methodologies, and language of economic valuation. Includes a selection of case studies. (by WCPA Task Force on the Economic Benefits of Protected Areas) Estimating the cost of environmental degradation: A Training Manual in English, French and Arabic
A draft World Bank manual describing a wide range of economic valuation techniques used to estimate the benefits of policies or projects yielding environmental improvements. (by M Sarraf, G Ruta and K Bolt) P How economic valuation can pay for conservation
A short introduction to economic valuation and how we can use it to assess the benefits of ecosystem conservation as well as how these benefits are distributed among the stakeholders. (by F Vorhies) þP How much is an ecosystem worth?
Seeks to clarify how valuation should be conducted to answer specific policy questions. (by S Pagiola, K von Ritter and J Bishop) Also see related paper from The World Bank Environment Department:
 Assessing the economic value of ecosystem conservation
Islamic Republic of Iran cost assessment of environmental degradation
"Despite the difficulties involved in assigning monetary values to environmental degradation, such estimates can be a powerful tool to raise awareness about environmental issues and facilitate progress toward sustainable development. It is hoped that this study will provide an instrument for policymakers to better integrate the environment
into economic development decisions. (by a World Bank team, 2005) Pricing what is priceless
An academic status report on non-market valuation of natural resources from the mid-90s. (by V Kerry Smith) The valuation of biodiversity for national biodiversity strategies and action plans
Provides guidance to trainers for the contents of workshops on biodiversity valuation. (by D Moran and C Bann) P Valuation of environmental resources
A World Bank Institute training presentation (by J Dixon)
Economics of marine resources Accounting for economic activities in large marine ecosystems and regional seas
The report compiles estimates of activity levels of the relevant marine sectors (e.g. fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, shipping, oil etc.) of countries bordering the world’s LMEs and RSs. (by P Hoagland and D Jin) Counting coastal ecosystems as an economic part of development infrastructure
"This paper addresses the need to factor the environment into coastal development planning." (by L Emerton) þ Benguela Current Commission (BCC) economic study
The main purpose of this study is to analyze the economics of fishery management and other marine industries in the Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME), reviewing the case for and against regional co-operation in managing the BCLME. (by U R Sumaila, G Munro and H Keith) See also: BCC economic study summary
P The biodiversity benefits of coral reef ecosystems
Gives some background to economic valuation and market creation and presents three case studies (by H Cesar) P Blue pricing of undersea treasures
Reviews the needs and opportunities for environmental economics research on coral reef management in South East Asia.
(by J Ruitenbeek) See also: Blue pricing of undersea treasures - annexes
Combating living resources depletion and coastal area degradation in the Guinea Current Large Marine Ecosystem through ecosystem-based regional actions: Preliminary report on economic valuation of ecosystem services and TDA
The tasks covered in this draft valuation report included estimating the direct values of goods and services for the marine sectors of the 16 countries bordering the GCLME and outlining how ecosystem value estimates can be used to identify appropriate economic, demographic, public service, fiscal and social analysis techniques. (Project manager: C Ukwe) Coral reefs: Their functions, threats and economic value
"The concepts of Total Economic Value and Cost Benefit Analysis are used to illustrate the valuation of marine protected areas (national parks, etc.) and of threats." (by H Cesar) Divers’ willingness to pay to visit marine sanctuaries: an exploratory study "An exploratory contingent valuation study was carried out among foreign and local tourists in three major dive destinations in the Philippines to examine diver demand for visits to protected coral reef areas." (by T Arin and R Kramer) Economic activity associated with the Northeast Shelf large marine ecosystem
Estimates the economic activity of U.S. marine sectors associated with the Northeast Shelf LME. (by P Hoagland, D Jin, E Thunberg and S Steinback) Economic valuation of coral reefs
A collection of three introductory papers followed by a discussion from a World Bank conference. (Chair: M Koch-Weser) P Economic valuation of the Egyptian Red Sea coral reef
"The study shows that, by far, the most important use for reefs is as tourist attractions, although the reefs do have value for fishing, shoreline protection, research, and other uses." (by H Cesar) Pþ Economic valuation as a tool for environmental decision-making: Theory and practice of cost-benefit analysis of environmental management actions
Provides practitioners of marine and coastal environmental protection with a set of instructions on how to conduct cost-benefit analyses on management actions to mitigate ecosystem degradation. (by I Endo) An economic valuation of the terrestrial and marine resources of Samoa
The Samoan authorities, in collaboration with WWF, commissioned research into the economic value of Samoa's marine and terrestrial resources, particularly forests. The findings and lessons learned are presented in this report. (Researched and written by M Shahwahid H O edited by R McNally) The economics of worldwide coral reef degradation An independent report publish by WWF Netherlands. (by H Cesar et al) Effects of coral reef attribute damage on recreational welfare
"This paper presents the results of an economic valuation of coral reef degradation at Eilat, Israeli Red Sea." (by J Wielgus et al) Environmental valuation training in the Caspian region
This document is an outline of a November 2005 training course. An environmental economic assessment of the impacts of recreational scuba diving on coral reef systems in Hurghada, the Red Sea, Egypt
"This study presents estimates of rates of damage to corals and assesses patterns of dive behaviour on selected sites." (by R K Serour) The economic value of marine protected areas along the Garden Route, South Africa, and implications of changes in size and management
Provides preliminary estimates of the costs and benefits associated with the MPAs on the Garden Route coast and estimates how these might change under different scenarios of MPA size and management. (by J Turpie, B Clark and K Hutchings) Florida coastal environmental resources: A guide to economic valuation and impact analysis
A collection of papers emphasising "the importance of environmental economics in coastal and marine management and the need for professionals in this community to better understand basic concepts such as trade-offs, willingness-to-pay, cost-benefit analysis, and environmental valuation." (edited by D Letson and J W Milon) Financing of LMEs: Tools, options, ideas
PowerPoint presentation with a focus on governance. (by T A Grigalunas) General protocol for calculating the basis of monetary legal claims for damages to coral reefs by vessel groundings and an application to the northern Red Sea
"This protocol discusses the economic foundations for estimating compensating payments for damages to coral reef resources, and establishes the basis for legal claims against parties responsible for damage caused by boat and ship groundings at Eilat, Israeli Red Sea." (by J Wielgus) þ Guideline for economic analyses of environmental management actions for the Yellow Sea
This 2008 publication by UNEP/GEF "focuses on the Yellow Sea ecosystem, although most concepts and techniques that are discussed here may be applicable to other marine and coastal ecosystems in various regions." An excellent toolkit! In the front line: Shoreline protection and other ecosystem services from mangroves and coral reefs Estimates the total economic value of reefs at US$100,000 to US$600,000 per square kilometre per year and mangroves at more than $900,000 per square kilometre per year. (Lead author: S Wells) See also: UNEP Press release
Linking economic and ecological models for a marine ecosystem Present a methodological approach that links economic and ecological analyses. Develops an economic/ecological model by merging an input/output model of a coastal economy with a model of a marine food web. (by D Jin, P Hoagland and T M Dalton) Marine biodiversity: An economic valuation
This paper focuses on the economic value of the marine biodiversity of the UK. (by N Beaumont et al) P Red Sea & Gulf of Aden: Profile
A summary of the risk of oil spills and the state of preparedness
Reversing environmental degradation trends in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand Report of the 4th meeting of the Regional Task Force on Economic Valuation, Xuan Thuy, Nam Dinh Province, Viet Nam, March 2006 (UNEP/GEF/SCS/RTF-E.4/3, Annex 4) P Status of coral reefs in the Rea Sea and the Gulf of Aden 2004
This report notes that: "Threats to coral reefs differ in the region, but are increasing with the increasing rate of coastal development." (by M Kotb at al) Summary of the economic value of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, USA
In 2000-01, all uses of the artificial and natural reefs of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary generated over $504 million in Sales/Output, including multiplier impacts. This generated $140 million in income in Monroe County, which supported almost 10,000 full and part-time jobs. (by V Leeworthy) Valuing biodiversity conservation in a World Heritage site: citizens’ non-use values for Tubbataha Reefs National Marine Park, Philippines
"This study assesses the willingness of people in three cities in the Philippines to pay for the conservation of one of the country’s most important marine areas. The research was carried out to find alternative sources of finance for the Philippine’s marine conservation program." (by R F Subade) Values of coastal habitats
Total Economic Values (TEV) were used to determine regionally appropriate values for environmental goods and services provided by the coastal habitats bordering the South China Sea (SCS). (UNEP/SCS/RWG-F.9/12) P Valuing coastal ecosystems
"In essence, coastal ecosystems are valuable because people – living both near coasts and those far away -- depend on them for a variety of reasons to support their well-being." P Valuing the environment in small islands: An environmental economics toolkit
"The toolkit is designed to be of use to a wider audience of stakeholders in small islands around the world who wish to learn about practical aspects of environmental valuation, but struggle to find a reference adapted to small island contexts." (by P van Beukering et al)
Biodiversity economics policy The economic valuation of biodiversity in Oman
A working paper for preparing the biodiversity conservation strategy of Oman. (by R F Al-Jabiri) P Jeddah Declaration
"Furthering the implementation of the Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans towards the sustainable development of the marine and coastal environment" (October 2007) P Red Sea case study: Financing marine management and sustainable tourism
Powerpoint presentation using a systems approach and economic tools (by M E Colby) Regional action plan for the conservation of mangroves in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA, 2004) UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/11/INF/8
Incentive Measures: An Exploration of Tools and Methodologies for Valuation of Biodiversity and Biodiversity Resources and Functions UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/11/9
Incentive Measures: Proposals on the Application of Tools for Valuation of Biodiversity and Biodiversity Resources and Functions UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA/11/INF/15
Synthesis Report On Information Received From Parties, Other Governments And Organizations On Non-Monetary Positive Incentive Measures and on the Application of Methodologies for the Assessment of Values of Biodiversity and its Functions |