Recreational, Cultural, and Aesthetic Services from Estuarine and Coastal Ecosystems

The role of economic analysis in guiding the sustainable development of estuarine and coastal ecosystems is investigated based on a comprehensive review of the literature on the valuation of recreational, cultural, and aesthetic services. The implications of the findings for the sustainable management of coral reefs, marine protected areas, and small island developing states are discussed. Finally, the potential of meta-analytical benefit transfer and scaling up of values at various aggregation levels is demonstrated in the context of coastal tourism and recreation in Europe. The results of this chapter support the conclusion that the nonmaterial values provided by coastal and estuarine ecosystems in terms of recreational, cultural, and aesthetic services represent a substantial component of human well-being.