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Rigorously valuing the role of coral reefs in coastal protection: An example from Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A.

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Abstract

The degradation of coastal habitats, particularly coral reefs, raises risks by exposing communities to flooding hazards. The protective services of these natural defenses are not assessed in the same rigorous, economic terms as artificial defenses such as seawalls, and therefore often not considered in decision-making. Here we present a new methodology that combines economic, ecological, and engineering tools to provide a rigorous financial valuation of the coastal protection benefits of coral reefs off Maui, Hawaii, USA. We follow risk-based valuation guidelines to quantitatively estimate the risk reduction benefits from coral reefs in terms of annual expected benefits in economic terms. Our ultimate goal is to identify how, where, and when coral reefs provide the most flood reduction benefits under current and future climates to inform reef conservation and management priorities.

Suggested Citation

Storlazzi, C.D., Reguero, B.G., Lowe, E., Shope, J.B., Gibbs, A.E., Beck, M., and Nickel, B.A., 2017, Rigorously valuing the role of coral reefs in coastal protection: An example from Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A., in Proceedings of Coastal Dynamics 2017, Helsingør, Denmark, June 12-16, 2017, p. 665-674.

Publication type Conference Paper
Publication Subtype Conference Paper
Title Rigorously valuing the role of coral reefs in coastal protection: An example from Maui, Hawaii, U.S.A.
Year Published 2017
Language English
Publisher Coastal Dynamics
Contributing office(s) Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center
Description 10 p.
Larger Work Type Book
Larger Work Subtype Conference publication
Larger Work Title Proceedings of Coastal Dynamics 2017
First page 665
Last page 674
Conference Title Coastal Dynamics 2017
Conference Location Helsingør, Denmark
Conference Date June 12-16, 2017
Country United States
State Hawaii
Other Geospatial Maui
Additional publication details