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The 3-dimensilan structure of living coral communities provides frictional resistance to waves and currents. Coral bleaching events can lead to a shift in coral assemblages toward stress-tolerant colonies, potentially reducing reef structural complexity and inturn wave attenuation.

This report describes, quantifies and, where possible, calculates the economic value of Tonga's marine and coastal resources. Seven key marine ecosystem services are evaluated in detail: subsistence and commercial fishing; minerals and aggregate mining; tourism; coastal protection; carbon sequestration; and research, management and education. Others services are explored as well, including cultural and traditional values associated with the sea, potential future industries and other human benefits that have not yet been analysed or exploited. The scarcity of data about many of these ecosystem services prevents alculation of the total economic value, so the values below should be regarded as minimum estimates. Data gaps are described in detail in this report.

Solomon Islands is composed of almost 1000 islands and has the second longest coastline and the second largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EZZ) in the Pacific. These physical characteristics and the unique society and culture of the population are the basis of the fundamental relationship that Solomon Islanders have with the ocean and its ecosystem services. This analysis aims to assist decision-makers to recognise the role that marine ecosystems play in human wellbeing. Ecosystem services, described as the benefits that humans receive from ecosystems, are often not fully considered in decisions, because the market fails to reveal their true value. Failure to consider the role that marine ecosystems play in supporting livelihoods, economic activity and human wellbeing has, in many instances, led to inequitable and unsustainable marine resource management decisions.

PACC reports

Reports from the PACC project

Technical report