A few months ago, we published a blog that highlighted the economic value of wildlife conservation on land. These economic gains included the yearly revenue generated from admission to national parks, massive economic impact of wildlife tourism on local economies, and influx of job opportunities created by parks and other protected spaces to reiterate that the protections provided by environmental laws like the Endangered Species Act (ESA) benefit both animals and people. Today, we want to highlight the same benefits that marine life affords humans, in a largely unseen and unknown network of hidden underwater ecosystems.
Conserving Coastal Ecosystems Protects Human Livelihoods
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), coastal habitats provide benefits known as “ecosystem services” to humans, which help support our daily lives. We rely on healthy aquatic habitats and wildlife to keep our drinking water clean, protect us from natural disasters like storms or flooding, and support lucrative industries that can aid wildlife conservation like ecotourism (a type of ethical, sustainable tourism that minimizes negative impacts while actively benefiting both nature and host communities). For example, coastal and marine tourism/recreation services (like whale and dolphin watching) employ approximately 2.5 million people and contribute about $143 billion in gross domestic product to the economy each year.
Preserved Wetlands Protect Communities from Natural Disasters and Storms
Well-preserved wetlands can naturally reduce the physical damage and economic strain caused by hurricanes, storms, and tides, and save fragile coastal communities more than $23 billion in damage/drainage maintenance costs each year. To put it simply, when coastal habitats are better protected, local communities see tangible results, including higher property values, lower infrastructure costs, and enhanced natural protection from potentially disastrous floods and storms.
For example, in 2016, NOAA partnered with other agencies to restore tidal wetlands to provide habitat for salmon and reduce flooding in Tillamook, Oregon. The Southern Flow Corridor project created 443 acres of wetlands, opened 13 miles of tidal channels to migratory fish, and reduced flooding. Analysts estimate that $9.2 million in economic benefits will accrue from avoided flood damage over the next 50 years and that the project supported an additional 108 jobs and $14.6 million in total economic output in Oregon.
Marine Wildlife Provide Important Ecosystem Services
In addition to their habitats, the animals that live within them provide invaluable benefits, including carbon sequestration (the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide to reduce the negative effects of global climate change) and increased ocean productivity (the rate at which marine plants and organisms produce organic material through photosynthesis, using sunlight and nutrients to convert carbon dioxide into food). For example, according to the Marine Mammal Commission, large whales enhance the productivity of marine ecosystems by bringing nitrogen and other nutrients to the ocean surface through their excretions, a process known as “the whale pump”. This process helps provide food for a variety of marine organisms and may collectively increase revenue and employment opportunities in coastal communities.
Similarly, sea otters’ consumption of urchins reduces urchin predation on kelp, allowing kelp forest habitats to thrive. Kelp forests provide essential shelter, food, and nurseries for thousands of marine species and act as natural defense against coastline erosion. Lastly, marine mammals can help indicate when ecosystem health has declined (or has potentially become toxic). For example, contaminants like Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT; famously known as a synthetic insecticide developed in the 1940s to combat diseases) were used for decades and still exist in the environment despite being banned in the U.S. in the 1970s. These compounds accumulate in California sea lions and other animals, raising awareness of the potential dangers for humans and other animals associated with eating tainted seafood. Similarly, biotoxins produced by harmful algal blooms (HABs) can negatively affect marine mammal mortality and can also affect human health and food security.
It Benefits All of Us to Protect Coastal and Marine Habitats
Despite much of the ocean depths remaining unexplored and unknown, we do know that these waters and the creatures that reside inside influence our quality of life—regardless of whether you live on a beachfront property or in a landlocked home. To continue benefiting from these beautiful coastal habitats and diverse collections of aquatic animals, we must protect them to ensure that everyone can thrive in healthy, sustainable, and stable ecosystems. No matter how different we seem, we are all connected somehow; by saving them, we ultimately save ourselves.
Keep Wildlife in the Wild,
Devan
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The Born Free USA Team
Dear Reader,