Ecosystem benefits of marshes and living shorelines
Findings
Within the Middle Peninsula,
- Total ecosystem service benefits equaled ~$87.6M per year, which is 3.26% of the area’s GDP (2020)
- The highest value is attributed to storm risk reduction benefits provided by marshes and community partners ranked this service to be most important
- Marshes and living shorelines in the Middle Peninsula were estimated to yield $19,785.09/hectare/yr in community benefits
Annual value of marsh benefits to coastal communities in Middle Peninsula, Virginia
|
Ecosystem Service |
N |
Mean ($/ha/yr) |
Total Benefit Transfer ($/yr) |
Current: Total Benefit Transfer With Adjustments ($/yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Storm Risk Reduction |
6 |
$11,244.74 |
$49,811,443.24 |
$47,006,369.49 |
|
Fish Habitat |
8 |
$1,679.82 |
$7,441,191.04 |
$6,987,340.47 |
|
Nutrient Removal |
11 |
$4,065.33 |
$18,008,415.89 |
$18,008,415.89 |
|
Carbon Storage |
9 |
$1,908.50 |
$8,454,187.42 |
$8,454,187.42 |
|
Recreation-Fishing |
9 |
$1,500.37 |
$6,646,271.51 |
$7,186,782.26 |
|
Total |
43 |
|
$90,361,509.10 |
$87,643,095.53 |
This research was supported by The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration under Grant Number NA21NMF4570524-T1-01.