Science Articles

Upstream solutions to coral reef conservation: The payoffs of smart and cooperative decision-making

Journal of Environmental Management
2017
Kirsten L.L. Oleson, Kim A. Falinski, Joey Lecky Clara Rowe, Carrie V. Kappel, Kimberly A.Selkoe, Crow White
PublisherElsevier
Source N/A
Volume / IssueVolume 191
Pages18-Aug
Total Pages11
Article Linkhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030147971631060X
PDF Linkhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S030147971631060X#
ISBN N/A
DOI10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.12.067
Editor(s) N/A
Conference / Book Title N/A
Flag N/A
TagsSediment, Roads Trade-off analysis, Cost-effectiveness, Cooperation, Coral reef, Resource management, Watershed, Land-sea interface, Soil erosion
Other N/A
Conference Title N/A
Conference Date N/A
Publication Date15-Apr-17
Article Date N/A
GS Citation N/A
AbstractLand-based source pollutants (LBSP) actively threaten coral reef ecosystems globally. To achieve the greatest conservation outcome at the lowest cost, managers could benefit from appropriate tools that evaluate the benefits (in terms of LBSP reduction) and costs of implementing alternative land management strategies. Here we use a spatially explicit predictive model (InVEST-SDR) that quantifies change in sediment reaching the coast for evaluating the costs and benefits of alternative threat-abatement scenarios. We specifically use the model to examine trade-offs among possible agricultural road repair management actions (water bars to divert runoff and gravel to protect the road surface) across the landscape in West Maui, Hawaii, USA. We investigated changes in sediment delivery to coasts and costs incurred from management decision-making that is (1) cooperative or independent among landowners, and focused on (2) minimizing costs, reducing sediment, or both. The results illuminate which management scenarios most effectively minimize sediment while also minimizing the cost of mitigation efforts. We find targeting specific ÒhotspotsÓ within all individual parcels is more cost-effective than targeting all road segments. The best outcomes are achieved when landowners cooperate and target cost-effective road repairs, however, a cooperative strategy can be counter-productive in some instances when cost-effectiveness is ignored. Simple models, such as the one developed here, have the potential to help managers make better choices about how to use limited resources.
Created: 12/14/2017 10:31 AM (ET)
Modified: 12/14/2017 10:31 AM (ET)
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