Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation

Coastal wetlands in San Diego County have experienced a significant decline in their extent over the past century due to erosion, sea-level rise, and development. Understanding the historical and current conditions of these wetlands is essential for effective management and restoration efforts. Furthermore, assessing the economic value of the ecosystem services provided by these wetlands is crucial for making informed decisions regarding their conservation and restoration. This paper presents a detailed valuation of two ecosystem services provided by San Diego County wetlands: nursery habitats for California halibut and carbon sequestration through blue carbon ecosystems. The valuation is based on existing scientific literature and government reports, and a Monte Carlo simulation is employed to account for the uncertainties associated with the complex and dynamic nature of coastal wetlands. The results indicate that these wetlands provide substantial economic benefits to the California halibut commercial fishery, valued at almost $998 thousand annually. The net present value analysis suggests that these wetlands could generate over $30.7 million in net benefits to the commercial fishery through the end of the century, assuming the habitats remain intact. Additionally, the wetlands contribute almost $5 million annually in natural capital through the production of juvenile California halibut. Utilizing a social cost of carbon value of $120/metric ton of CO2, local eelgrass beds, salt marshes, and mudflats are valued at over $1.6 million annually, with over 50% coming from eelgrass beds. The net present value analysis suggests that these wetlands could generate over $50 million in net benefits via carbon sequestration through the end of the century, assuming the habitats remain intact. This detailed valuation approach provides valuable information for policymakers and the public, facilitating better decision-making and increased awareness of the importance of protecting and restoring coastal wetland ecosystems for their ecological and economic contributions.

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