Knowledge and implications of global change in the oceans for biology, ecology, and ecosystem services - Ocean Sustainability in the 21st Century - page 149

4.6 Global change impact on marine ecosystems' goods and
services

An analysis of the cost of the loss of goods and services and the main social and economic
implications for both marine and terrestrial ecosystems has been made and is being updated
in the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (IUCN, 2010 ) . At present, although it is evident
that several ecosystems are being degraded and are losing an important fraction of their pro-
duction of goods and services, it is difficult to obtain a detailed analysis of the costs of this
loss. In some coastal areas it is estimated that the marine habitats have lost 30 to 50% of
their goods and services. Table 4.1 shows a list of the marine habitats and their value estim-
ated as in 1994.

Table 4.1 List of marine coastal habitats and their value estimated as in 1994 (from Costanza et al., 1997 )

Habitat type Economic value

US$ 22,832 ha −1 yr −1 Estuaries

US$ 19,004 ha −1 yr −1 Seagrass and algal beds

US$ 9,990 ha −1 yr −1

Tidal marshes/mangroves

US$ 19,580 ha −1 yr −1

Swamps flood plains

US$ 6,075 ha −1 yr −1 Coral reefs

US$ 1,610 ha −1 yr −1 Continental shelf

Taking into account the re-evaluation of these values in the last two decades or so, it
can be estimated that the amount of this loss in degraded habitats can be in the order of
US$10,000−20,000 ha −1 yr −1 .
The changes induced by global warming and ocean acidification are expected to have
important direct/indirect consequences on marine ecosystems and human life. All marine
habitats including coastal, open ocean, and deep sea provide goods and services essential for