Meta-analytic value function and habitat risk-based assessment of ecosystem service values in a Natura 2000 area

Coastal socio-ecological systems provide a wide range of ecosystem services and values – critical for economies, human health and wellbeing. These systems are, amongst others, under pressure from water pollution – hence threatening corresponding natural capital, ecosystem services and values. The large majority of environmental-economic studies on water pollution in coastal socio-ecological systems, focus on the impact of diffuse-source and/or continuous-persistent water pollution, while only few studies focus on high-risk water pollution (HRWP) other than oil spills. Hence, the objective of this study is to assess local risk-adjusted ecosystems service values (ESV) as well as ESV losses induced by HRWP in coastal socio-ecological systems. The developed environmental-economic approach integrates meta-analytic function transfer, InVEST Habitat Risk Assessment, and an inverse relationship between ESV and HRWP habitat risk, to assess ESV losses induced by HRWP in the Ria de Aveiro (Portugal) Natura 2000 area. Results show that, without accounting for HRWP, the total ESV amounts to almost 66 million €*year−1. Considering a linear inverse correlation between HRWP habitat risk and ESV, it is shown that HRWP is responsible for a total ESV loss of approximately 8 million €*year−1 (−13%). Largest total ESV losses are observed for Regulating & maintenance (−3.5 million €*year−1; −18%) and Cultural (−2.4 million €*year−1; −17%) services. Reductions in unit ESV are relatively largest for habitats most exposed to HRWP, such as Salines (−1 040 €*ha−1*year−1; –32%), Coastal lagoon (−383 €*ha−1*year−1; −17%) and Inland marshes (−664 €*ha−1*year−1; −14%). Hence, by considering and internalizing environmental-economic impacts of habitat loss and degradation, risk-adjusted ecosystem service valuation is critical when defining and evaluating pollution abatement strategies and environmental protection policies. This contributes to the increased protection and more sustainable use of natural resources in coastal socio-ecological systems.