Building community and coastal resilience to a changing Louisiana coastline

Page 19

0 0

15 15

30

30

miles km 60

HABITAT TYPES Forested wetland

Oyster reefs

Fresh marsh

Open water

Coastal marsh

Mangrove range

Aquatic vegetation

Barrier island complex

Restoration approaches that build key ecosystem components, referred to as “ecosystem-based restoration,” were identified for each coastal habitat, along with constraints that potentially limit delivery of resulting ecosystem services reaching communities.

COMPARING ECOSYSTEM FUNCTIONS & ECOSYSTEM SERVICES Ecosystem functions are natural processes (non-monetized), such as providing a nursery habitat for fish, that can potentially be used by communities as an ecosystem service, such as supporting a viable fishery that has both economic and socio-cultural benefits.75 Ecosystem functions are highly dependent upon habitat type and include such features as; reduction of direct impacts of waves, storm surges and marginal erosion, the provision of essential habitat for juvenile and adult fish and shellfish species, avian and mammal species, and the storage of carbon and nutrients.6,7,8,76 The associated ecosystem services include commercial fishing, tourism, hunting, cultural practices, recreation, water use, and transport.

“Oysters give protection for the inner land too, in addition to eating. Protection for water services and stopping erosion... and charbroiled…” Delcambre workshop participant, April 2016

19


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.