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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
The value of Australian aquatic ecosystem services
Ecosystem services, Vol.76, pp.1-21
12/2025
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Abstract
Aquatic ecosystems provide valuable ecosystem services to human wellbeing. Nonetheless, anthropogenic pressures cause significant impacts on their environment and biodiversity. Assigning economic value to these services increases awareness for ecosystem protection, informing policies and planning. Currently, there is no comprehensive review of the economic valuation of Australia's aquatic ecosystems, despite it having the world's third largest marine area. This study provides a review of the economic value of ecosystem services in seven aquatic ecosystems in Australia, namely: mangroves, saltmarsh, seagrass, kelp, shellfish reef, freshwater wetlands and open waterways. Over 90% of the economic value estimates in Australia were conducted for kelp, mangroves, saltmarsh and seagrass, whereas limited information was identified for shellfish reef habitats. Available research is concentrated in New South Wales and Victoria, with limited research in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. Provisioning and cultural services represented over 70% of researched ecosystem services in Australia, while habitat and biodiversity services were rarely identified. Typical provisioning and cultural services identified globally, such as raw materials or bequest values were not identified in the Australian literature. Australian economic values were typically below the global 50th percentile for provisioning, cultural and climate regulation services. In contrast, the use of aquatic ecosystems for storm and erosion protection are often one of the highest economic valuations worldwide with a median Australian value over $400,000/ha/year for mangrove, saltmarsh and seagrass habitats. Overall, the compiled results highlight a potential undervaluation of aquatic ecosystem services in Australia and important research gaps for further investigation.
Details
- Title
- The value of Australian aquatic ecosystem services
- Creators
- Laura Montano - UNSW SydneyAlice Harrison - UNSW SydneyBrad Henderson - UNSW SydneyMelinda A. Coleman - NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (Taylors Beach)Vincent Raoult - University of NewcastleMatthew D. Taylor - NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (Taylors Beach)Troy Gaston - University of Newcastle AustraliaPatrick G. Dwyer - Department of Primary Industries and Regional DevelopmentRobert Costanza - University College LondonAndrew Dansie - UNSW SydneyWilliam Glamore - UNSW Sydney
- Publication Details
- Ecosystem services, Vol.76, pp.1-21
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 21
- Grant note
- This project received funding from the NSW Government under the Marine Estate Management Strategy.
- Identifiers
- 991013324325402368
- Copyright
- © 2025 The Author(s).
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Science
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article