Westphal, Hildegard ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7324-6122, Murphy, Gary, Doo, Steve ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3346-6152, Mann, Thomas ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9182-2741, Petrovic, Alexander, Schmidt, Christiane ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8461-3485 and Stuhr, Marleen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9155-9464 (2022) Ecosystem Design as an Avenue for Improving Services Provided by Carbonate Producing Marine Ecosystems. PeerJ . p. 12785. DOI https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12785.

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Abstract

Ecosystem Design (ED) is an approach for constructing habitats that places human needs for ecosystem services at the center of intervention, with the overarching goal of establishing self- sustaining habitats which require limited management. This concept was originally developed for use in mangrove ecosystems, and is understandably controversial, as it markedly diverges from other protection approaches that assign human use a minor priority or exclude it. However, the advantage of ED lies within the considered implementation of these designed ecosystems, thus preserving human benefits from potential later disturbances. Here, we outline the concept of ED in tropical carbonate depositional systems and discuss potential applications to aid ecosystem services such as the beach nourishment and protection of coastlines and reef islands at risk from environmental and climate change, CO2 sequestration, food production, and tourism. Biological carbonate sediment production is a crucial source of stability of reef islands and reef-rimmed coastlines. Careful implementation of designed carbonate depositional ecosystems could help counterbalance sea-level rise and manage documented erosion effects of coastal constructions. Importantly, adhering to the core ethos of ED, careful dynamic assessments which provide a balanced approach to maximizing ecosystem services (e.g., carbonate production), should identify and avoid any potential damages to existing functioning ecosystems.

Document Type:	Article
Programme Area:	PA4
Research affiliation:	Biogeochemistry and Geology > Geoecology & Carbonate Sedimentology
Refereed:	Yes
Open Access Journal?:	Yes
DOI:	https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12785
ISSN:	2167-8359
Related URLs:	Publisher
Date Deposited:	20 Jan 2022 11:54
Last Modified:	26 Mar 2024 13:31
URI:	http://cris.leibniz-zmt.de/id/eprint/4821

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