Ecosystem services of coastal ecosystems

Provisioning services

Good produced or provided by ecosystems

Provisioning services by mangroves

• Wood, fuel and construction materials

• Fisheries, nursery grounds for fish and crustaceans

• Honey, fruits and medicinal plants

Provisioning services by beaches

Limited (fishing or salt extraction sometimes)

Provisioning services by corals

• Source of fish and seafood

• Coral sand, limestone

Regulating services

Benefits from regulation of ecosystem processes

Regulating services by mangroves

• Coastal protection → natural barriers against storm surges and tsunamis

• Carbon storage → excellent carbon sinks!

• Water purification → trap pollutants and sediments

Regulating services by beach

• Act as natural buffers against wave energy, protecting inland areas

• Sediment storage and transplant (maintain dynamic coastal balance)

Regulating services by corals

• Wave energy dissipation → protect shorelines from erosion

• Water filtration through filter-feeding organisms

Cultural services by mangroves

• Support traditional livelihoods

• Ecotourism

Cultural services by beach

• Recreation → tourism, relaxation, sports

• Economic boost for local communities via tourism

• Aesthetic and spiritual value

Cultural services by corals

• Tourism → diving, snorkelling

• Cultural heritage sites and indigenous practices

• Spiritual connection to the sea (guayana community)

Support services

Factors necessary for producing ecosystem services

Support services by mangroves

• Provide breeding grounds for marine life

• Support biodiversity and interconnected food webs

Support services by beach

• Habitat for coastal organisms

Support services by corals

• Habitat for thousands of marine species

• Foundation of marine food chains