Puerto Rico Coral Reef Ecosystem Valuation: Scenario Analysis of Non-Market Values of Reef Using Visitors Background In 2016-2017, in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Puerto Rico Sea Grant, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries was able to estimate the non- market value of various coral reef attributes to reef using visitors. The report, Nonmarket Economic Value by Reef Using Visitors on Puerto Rico’s Coral Reef Ecosystems, An Attributes Approach: Policy/ Management Scenarios, 2018, presents the results of the marginal willingness to pay of users for four distinct management scenarios. Photo: Environmental Protection Agency
The Usefulness of Scenarios The natural resources valued in this study were carefully selected based upon existing literature and research, natural science teams and focus groups. One of the primary considerations of this work was identifying realistic improvements given additional management or policy interventions in the Guánica Bay Watershed. Since the improvements to the resources are expected to be attainable with additional management and policy intervention, the monetary benefits of targeted management actions can be evaluated. This means that if management decides to engage in restoration in the Guánica Bay watershed in southern Puerto Rico or other area’s corals and reef fish, the value to coral reef users can be estimated. This benefit can then be compared to the cost of restoration. Management has many tools at their disposal to raise the condition of the coral reef attributes form the low to medium or high condition. Knowing the value and costs to implement a strategy or policy can help to ensure that there are net positive benefits to the public for restoration or conservation measures.
The four policy scenarios were developed and provided by the U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development, and National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory to demonstrate the benefits of coral reef ecosystem restoration. The scenarios are not real plans but simply serve to demonstrate the utility of the models.
Non-Market Value The environment and ecosystems provide many benefits to humans. The ways in which humans benefit from ecosystems, such as recreation, food supply, and shoreline protection from storms, have come to be known as ecosystem goods and services. The economic value of some of these goods and services, such as fish for food, can be estimated through market sales and pricing. But others, such as recreation, which depends on water quality and the abundance and diversity of colorful fish, coral and sponges, are not traded in markets. The monetary value of these ‘non-market’ goods and services must be estimated using alternative methods.
Map of Puerto Rico
www.coris.noaa.gov/activities/projects/pr_reef_ecosystem_valuation/