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Calculating ecosystem
services values
Using a rapid assessment protocol
developed specifically for Abu Dhabi,
the condition of a subsample of habitats
within Blue Carbon ecosystems, focusing
specifically on seagrass ecosystems, it
was possible to identify areas of highest
potential value (in terms of carbon being
sequestered and other valuable benefits
being provided as well).
As Figure 8 shows, values for ecosystem
services can be derived that reflect either
real or hypothetical value. In Abu Dhabi,
as the number of valuation studies
undertaken to date is limited, discussion
of the value of Blue Carbon co-benefits is
largely, at present, hypothetical.
Ecosystem services
Material/use values
Direct use values
Payment for ecosystem services
Real
Market prices
Option value
Damage costs
Hypothetical
Real
Hypothetical
Travel costs
Contingent
valuation
Willingnes
to pay
Willingnes
to accept
Contingent
behaviour choice
modelling
Hedonic pricing
Avoided costs
Repair costs
Mitigation/
Restoration costs
Replacement
costs
Indirect use values
Revealed preferences
Stated preferences
Non-material/non-use values
Adapted from: Spangenberg and Settele, 2010.
Figure 8
Valuation
framework (
adapted from
Spangenberg and Settele,
2010
)
Given that each Blue Carbon ecosystem
and the ecological community it
supports provides different services,
the most valuable areas will be those
that have a combination or mosaic of
these ecosystems, especially those
in relatively close proximity to assets
of value. Five areas within Abu Dhabi
possibly stand out in this regard. This is
illustrated in Figure 9.
One additional and critically important
consideration is that these ecosystems
and the services they generate cannot
be viewed in isolation (Figure 10). The
delivery of goods and services from
natural systems is dependent not only
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