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Can’t see the (mangrove) forest for the trees: Trends in the legal and policy recognition of mangrove and coastal wetland ecosystem services in Australia

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  • Bell-James, Justine
  • Boardman, Tessa
  • Foster, Rose

Abstract

The ecosystem services concept can deliver improved conservation outcomes, yet it is not uniformly translated into environmental law and policy. Here we examine Australian laws and policies in the context of mangroves and coastal wetlands to assess and analyse the extent to which the ecosystem services concept has been integrated. A number of key themes emerged from our research, including: potential difficulties in finding relevant laws because of (1) inconsistent definitions; (2) the large amount of law and policy, and inadequate integration of ecosystem services because (3) not all ecosystem services provided by mangroves and wetlands are recognised in law and policy; and (4) different ecosystem services are addressed under different legal instruments. We also found that (5) ecosystem services are referenced more often in policy than in law; and (6) this is often in the form of a ‘mention’ rather that regulation. Finally, we also found (7) insufficient spatial protection of mangroves and wetlands; (8) significant degrees of administrative discretion; and (9) a lack of harmonisation across jurisdictions. We anticipate that these findings will be of assistance to law and policymakers and resource managers, as a tool for identifying deficiencies in legal frameworks as a precursor to reform.

Suggested Citation

  • Bell-James, Justine & Boardman, Tessa & Foster, Rose, 2020. "Can’t see the (mangrove) forest for the trees: Trends in the legal and policy recognition of mangrove and coastal wetland ecosystem services in Australia," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 45(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoser:v:45:y:2020:i:c:s2212041620300905
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2020.101148
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Keenan, Rodney J. & Pozza, Greg & Fitzsimons, James A., 2019. "Ecosystem services in environmental policy: Barriers and opportunities for increased adoption," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 1-1.
    2. Bell-James, Justine & Lovelock, Catherine E, 2019. "Legal barriers and enablers for reintroducing tides: An Australian case study in reconverting ponded pasture for climate change mitigation," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    3. Prahalad, Vishnu & Whitehead, Jason & Latinovic, Adelina & Kirkpatrick, Jamie B., 2019. "The creation and conservation effectiveness of State-wide wetlands and waterways and coastal refugia planning overlays for Tasmania, Australia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 502-512.
    4. Michelle Cini, 2000. "From Soft Law to Hard Law?: Discretion and Rule-making in the Commission's State Aid Regime," EUI-RSCAS Working Papers 35, European University Institute (EUI), Robert Schuman Centre of Advanced Studies (RSCAS).
    5. Costanza, Robert & de Groot, Rudolf & Braat, Leon & Kubiszewski, Ida & Fioramonti, Lorenzo & Sutton, Paul & Farber, Steve & Grasso, Monica, 2017. "Twenty years of ecosystem services: How far have we come and how far do we still need to go?," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 28(PA), pages 1-16.
    6. Pittock, J. & Cork, S. & Maynard, S., 2012. "The state of the application of ecosystems services in Australia," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 1(1), pages 111-120.
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    2. Ji Feng & Zheng Zhao & Yali Wen & Yilei Hou, 2021. "Organically Linking Green Development and Ecological Environment Protection in Poyang Lake, China Using a Social-Ecological System (SES) Framework," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-23, March.

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