Economic valuation of mangrove ecosystems

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Economic valuation of mangrove ecosystem services in Vanuatu

We found the following total economic values for the nine ecosystem services (ES1–ES9, figure A) in the two mangrove
systems:
• In Crab Bay in 2012, mangroves (136.5 hectares) produced ES worth an estimated Vt53 million (equivalent to US$586
000). This total comprised ES values ranging from Vt36 million to Vt70 million.
• In Eratap in 2012, the mangroves (31.2 hectares) produced ES worth an estimated Vt24 million (equivalent to US$266
000). This total comprised ES values ranging from Vt17 million to Vt31 million.
For comparing sites, these valuations are equivalent to ES worth Vt386 000 per year per hectare (US$4300 per year per
hectare) in Crab Bay and Vt768 000 per year per hectare (US$8500 per year per hectare) in Eratap.
In Crab Bay, the principal ES in economic terms are carbon sequestration (ES9), the proteins from subsistence fishery (ES1),
the commercial fishery (ES2) and wood extraction (ES4), which add up to 99 per cent of the mangroves’ total value (figure
B). Coastal protection is the other ES in Crab Bay. In Eratap, the principal ES are carbon sequestration (ES9), the proteins
from subsistence fishery (ES1), the revenue from tourism linked to mangroves (ES5), and the avoided costs from coastal
protection against flood (ES6), which add up to 87 per cent of the total value (figure C). Commercial fishery (ES2), wood
extraction (ES4) and recreational fishery (ES3) are the other ES in Eratap.