title: Seagrass Ecosystem Services and Their Variability across Genera and Geographical Regions.
abstract: Threats to and loss of seagrass ecosystems globally, impact not only natural resources but also the lives of people who directly or indirectly depend on these systems. Seagrass ecosystems play a multi-functional role in human well-being, e.g. food through fisheries, control of erosion and protection against floods. Quantifying these services reveals their contributions to human well-being and helps justify seagrass conservation. There has been no comprehensive assessment as to whether seagrass ecosystem services are perceived to vary over the globe or amongst genera. Our study compiles the most complete list of ecosystem services provided by seagrasses so far, including bioregional- and genus-specific information from expert opinion and published studies. Several seagrass ecosystem services vary considerably in their (known) provision across genera and over the globe. Seagrasses genera are clearly not all equal with regard to the ecosystem services they provide. As seagrass genera are not evenly distributed over all bioregions, the presence of an ecosystem service sometimes depends on the genera present. Larger sized seagrass genera (e.g. Posidonia, Enhalus) are perceived to provide more substantial and a wider variety of ecosystem services than smaller species (e.g. Halophila, Lepilaena). Nevertheless, smaller species provide important services. Our findings point out data gaps, provide new insight for more efficient management and recommend caution in economic valuation of seagrass services worldwide.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology, Environment and Plant Sciences, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mtwana Nordlund
authors.affiliation: Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, Cambridge, MD, 21613, United States of America.
authors.forename: Evamaria W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.affiliation: Department of Economics and Finance, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY, 82071, United States of America.
authors.forename: Edward B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Barbier
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Ecologia Marinha Bêntica, Departamento de Ecologia, Instituto de Biologia Roberto Alcântara Gomes, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro - UERJ, PHLC Sala 220, Rua São Francisco Xavier 524, CEP 20559-900, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Joel C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Creed
mesh_terms: D035961:Alismatales / Q000254:growth & development; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D005398:Fisheries; D006801:Humans; D031321:Hydrocharitaceae / Q000254:growth & development; D035962:Zosteraceae / Q000254:growth & development