Valeur économique totale des écosystèmes marins et côtiers de la future aire marine protégée régionale du Prêcheur (Martinique)

Abstract

The creation of a marine reserve in the north-western part of Martinique, located in the area of Prêcheur, has led to an economic valuation of marine and coastal ecosystems. The total economic value (TEV) has been estimated to about 58 million Euros annually, almost 12 million Euros by km². This value stands for the sum of values associated to: i) direct uses (fishing, diving, beach leisure, etc.) for almost 3 million Euros; ii) indirect uses originating from ecological services (water treatment and nutrient cycling, biomass productivity, carbon sequestration) for 200,000 Euros; and iii) non-uses associated to the existence and bequest to next generation of the natural capital without any consideration of use for about 55 million Euros. The creation of the marine reserve should lead to an increase of this value through an enhancement of ecological services of ecosystems and the non-extractive uses such as tourism and marine leisure.

Keywords

• coral reef
• total economic value
• marine protected area
• ecosystem service
• seagrass