Identification of a Practicable Set of Ecosystem Indicators for Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Services

Abstract

Indicators of ecosystem services can provide insight into the behaviour, state and trajectory of coastal and marine systems, and contribute to the decision support system for adaptive coastal management. This chapter examines our understanding of indicators and their key purposes and applications. A set of indicators are developed that meet operational requirements and are grounded within the UK NEAFO marine ecosystem services framework. Ecosystem service indicators are therefore identified for components and processes, intermediate services, final services and goods and benefits. For UK coastal and marine environments, examples of national-level data sources available to support indicator use are identified. A more detailed application of these indicators is provided for fisheries and aquaculture, and carbon sequestration and storage. Case studies are presented in relation to marine protected areas and managed realignment sites which demonstrate the importance of site-specific data sources.