Economic Valuation and Spatial Mapping of Coastal Ecosystem Services in the Aegean

Quantifying the economic value of ecosystem services is essential for making evidence-based decisions in conservation and marine spatial planning. In the case study of the Aegean Sea, a comprehensive economic database has been developed, capturing the value of critical coastal and marine ecosystems such as seagrass meadows, shallow marine waters, and hard substrates. Among these ecosystems, seagrass meadows stand out as particularly valuable, primarily due to their role in coastal protection, with estimated values reaching approximately $3,261 per hectare annually. The compiled database includes 20 records covering six major coastal and marine ecosystem types, enabling the effective integration of economic considerations into spatial planning and decision-making processes.

To complement this economic valuation, spatially explicit maps depicting the distribution of ecosystem service values were generated through a combination of benefit transfer methods, crowdsourced data, and stakeholder-driven prioritization. These maps highlight considerable spatial heterogeneity across the region. For example, tourism-related services demonstrated notably higher economic values in popular tourist destinations such as Santorini compared to less frequently visited locations like Lesvos (as illustrated in the figures below).

These results provide a robust foundation for integrating ecological, social, and economic considerations into marine spatial planning. By identifying and highlighting areas with significant ecosystem service value, the approach supports their recognition and prioritization for protection. Dissemination efforts through academic publications are ongoing, aiming to maximize policy relevance and outreach.

References:

Stamatiadou, V. et al. (under review). Monetary Valuation and Spatial Mapping of Recreational Ecosystem Service Along Greek Coasts. Rochester, NY: Social Science Research Network. Available at: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4824975.

Stamatiadou, V., Mazaris, A.D., Chalazas, T., Velegrakis, A. and Katsanevakis, S. (under review). Are the Greek beaches accessible to all? Economic valuation and mapping of recreational ecosystem services for wheelchair users.