Coastal Capital: Ecosystem Valuation for Decision Making in the Caribbean

Executive Summary:

Coastal ecosystems are valuable to people and economies across the Caribbean, but are threatened by human pressures. Ecosystem valuation can make the economic case for protection of coastal ecosystems, but in many cases valuation studies have had a limited impact on decision making regarding coastal resource use in the Caribbean. Drawing on the lessons learned from coastal valuations that have successfully informed decision making in the Caribbean, this guidebook leads valuation practitioners through the three phases of a valuation effort to inform decision making:

1. Scoping
2. Analysis
3. Outreach and Use of Results.