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Article
Valuing Ecosystem Services in Coastal Management Policy: Looking Beyond the Here and Now
Natural Resources & Environment (2015)
  • Chad J McGuire, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth
Abstract
This article explores how the identification and account- ing of ecosystem services can aid coastal management policies, particularly as management looks to a future that includes the impacts of climate change. At the core of making better deci- sions is an understanding of the value of ecosystem services. The economic context of ecosystem services is explored in order to outline what may be considered a complete account- ing of costs. Once contextualized, ecosystem services will then be applied to current coastal management issues associ- ated with sea level rise. In particular, policy-relevant questions about mitigating and adapting to sea level rise at the coast will be discussed. For example, does it make sense to armor against the tide when considering both market-based and ecosystem services values in a decision-making framework? Also, what is the impact of current policies, such as nationally subsidized public flood insurance, on how risk is perceived by the public? And how does this perception potentially impact ecosystem service consideration in coastal management decisions?
Keywords
  • Ecosystem Services,
  • Environmental Economics,
  • Sea Level Rise,
  • Coastal Management
Publication Date
Fall 2015
Publisher Statement
Published in Natural Resources & Environment Volume 30, Number 2, Fall 2015. © 2015 by the American Bar Association. Reproduced with permission. All rights reserved. This information or any portion thereof may not be copied or disseminated in any form or by any means or stored in an electronic database or retrieval system without the express written consent of the American Bar Association.
Citation Information
Chad J McGuire. "Valuing Ecosystem Services in Coastal Management Policy: Looking Beyond the Here and Now" Natural Resources & Environment Vol. 30 Iss. 2 (2015)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/chad_mcguire/58/