Seagrass ecosystem contributions to people's quality of life in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories

Type Article
Date 2021-06
Language English
Author(s) McKenzie Len J.1, 2, Yoshida Rudi L.1, 3, Aini John W.4, Andréfouet Serge5, Colin Patrick L.6, Cullen-Unsworth Leanne C.7, 8, Hughes Alec T.9, Payri Claude E.5, Rota Manibua10, Shaw Christina11, Tsuda Roy T.12, Vuki Veikila C.13, Unsworth Richard K.F.8, 14
Affiliation(s) 1 : Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia
2 : Seagrass-Watch, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia
3 : SeagrassFutures Fiji, Ma'afu St, Suva, Fiji
4 : Ailan Awareness, Kaselok, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea
5 : UMR-9220 ENTROPIE (Institut de Recherche pour le Développement, Université de la Réunion, Ifremer, CNRS, Université de la Nouvelle-Calédonie), 101, promenade Roger-Laroque Anse Vata, BP A5, 98848 Noumea, New Caledonia
6 : Coral Reef Research Foundation, P.O. Box 1765, Koror 96940, Palau
7 : Sustainable Places Research Institute, Cardiff University, 33 Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3BA, UK
8 : Project Seagrass, PO Box 412, Bridgend CF31 9RL, UK
9 : Wildlife Conservation Society, Munda, Western Province, Solomon Islands
10 : Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Development, Tarawa, Kiribati
11 : Vanuatu Environmental Science Society, Po Box 1630, Port Vila, Vanuatu
12 : Natural Sciences-Botany, Bernice P. Bishop Museum, 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, HI 96817-2704, USA
13 : Oceania Environment Consultants, PO Box 5214, UOG Station, Mangilao 96923, Guam
14 : Seagrass Ecosystem Research Group, College of Science, Swansea University, SA2 8PP, UK
Source Marine Pollution Bulletin (0025-326X) (Elsevier BV), 2021-06 , Vol. 167 , P. 112307 (16p.)
DOI 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112307
WOS© Times Cited 19
Keyword(s) Seagrass, Ecosystem services, Traditional ecological knowledge, Coastal zone management, Marine policy, Nature&apos, s contributions to people
Abstract

Seagrass ecosystems provide critical contributions (goods and perceived benefits or detriments) for the livelihoods and wellbeing of Pacific Islander peoples. Through in-depth examination of the contributions provided by seagrass ecosystems across the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), we find a greater quantity in the Near Oceania (New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago and the Solomon Islands) and western Micronesian (Palau and Northern Marianas) regions; indicating a stronger coupling between human society and seagrass ecosystems. We also find many non-material contributions historically have been overlooked and under-appreciated by decision-makers. Closer cultural connections likely motivate guardianship of seagrass ecosystems by Pacific communities to mitigate local anthropogenic pressures. Regional comparisons also shed light on general and specific aspects of the importance of seagrass ecosystems to Pacific Islanders, which are critical for forming evidence-based policy and management to ensure the long-term resilience of seagrass ecosystems and the contributions they provide.

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McKenzie Len J., Yoshida Rudi L., Aini John W., Andréfouet Serge, Colin Patrick L., Cullen-Unsworth Leanne C., Hughes Alec T., Payri Claude E., Rota Manibua, Shaw Christina, Tsuda Roy T., Vuki Veikila C., Unsworth Richard K.F. (2021). Seagrass ecosystem contributions to people's quality of life in the Pacific Island Countries and Territories. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 167, 112307 (16p.). Publisher's official version : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112307 , Open Access version : https://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00689/80150/