Cesar2000-Economics of Coral Reefs.pdf

such as alternative means of beach maintenance and the
reduction of waste from manufacturing and shipping
were found not to have a significant effective on the
health status of the reef averaged for the south coast as a
whole (Rijsberman and Westmacott 1996). However,
Rijsberman and Westmacott (1996) also note that the
modelling results may be specific to the spatial scale
examined and that these interventions may indeed be
cost-effective and appropriate within a smaller, local
context. Combining individual interventions into strategies
(combinations of measures) creates more costeffective
options. Cost-effective strategies under explored
growth scenarios include combinations of wastewater
and sewage treatment, appropriate waste disposal,
and reductions of refinery and ship pollution.
Rijsberman & Westmacott (1996) stress that the utility
of the modelling tool can only be demonstrated
through an application that intimately involves stakeholders
in the scenario building and decision-making
process. Coral-Curaçao allows one to rank the measures
and explore the formulation of various combinations of
measures to achieve a specific coral reef cover and diversity
target. For example, to achieve a target average coral
cover of 14% and diversity of 50% (as indexed by the
model), an initial investment of 310 million NAF, with
a yearly operation and maintenance cost of 6 million
NAF, would be required (Rijsberman and Westmacott
1996).
2.2 Coral-Maldives
Westmacott & Rijsberman (1997, see also Rijsberman
1995; Brown et al. 1996; Meesters & Westmacott 1996;
Rijsberman & Westmacott 1996; Westmacott 1996;
Westmacott & Rijsberman 1997) developed a costeffectiveness
analysis model for coral reef management
and protection for North and South Male in the Republic
of the Maldives. As a model developed parallel with
Coral-Curaçao, the objective was to investigate whether
a model adapted for the Maldives (Coral-Maldives)
would provide a useful decision support tool. Westmacott
& Rijsberman (1997) describe the model and the
results of initial analyses.
As with Coral-Curaçao, the Coral-Maldives model
was designed to allow decision-makers determine the
relative cost-effectiveness of various environmental management
interventions for economic development options
in terms of the improvements in coral reef health
that are achieved (i.e., using indices of coral reef cover
and rugosity as proxy measures). In addition, the impacts
of the scenarios can be seen in terms of economic,
social and environmental indicators that are selected at
the outset of the analysis by the model user. Policy
priorities and feasible management alternatives were
identified through discussions with government agencies.
Given the nature of the impacts on the coral reefs in
the Republic of the Maldives, management interventions
focus on minimising physical damage, including
control through land use regulations, reduction in sediment
reaching the reef, and regulations focusing on the
tourist resorts (Westmacott & Rijsberman 1997). Westmacott
& Rijsberman (1997) illustrate the use of the
model through the presentation of example cases.
Westmacott & Rijsberman (1997) note that there are
an array of indicators that may be used to describe the
potential for success or failure of a coastal zone management
strategy — although the model is somewhat flexible,
the set of coastal zone management indicators that
can be selected and examined by the user is necessarily
limited. Moreover, the use of intervention cost-effectiveness
measures as they relate to changes in coral reef
health alone may ignore other strategies critical to the
success of a particular ICZM program (e.g., public
health issues). It is suggested that the results of modelling
scenarios for decision support, in the formulation of
development or management plans, be placed within
the context of social goals and requirements. As with
Coral-Curaçao, the model may not adequately reflect
localised conditions at a spatial scale below that incorporated
within the model’s components.
2.3 The Valuation of Coral Reef Benefits
In the process of arriving at a measure of total economic
value (TEV), economic valuation studies of natural systems
most often distinguish use from non-use values,
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