Application of SEEA in Coastal and Marine Ecosystems

Coastal and marine ecosystems are an important natural environment producing valuable goods and services that are essential for human wellbeing. Systematic accounting of the ecosystem benefits shall enlighten the relationship of ecosystem function, human dependency and economics. System of Environmental Ecosystem Accounting-Experimental Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA–EEA) has been released under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), the European Commission, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development and the World Bank Group. The SEEA – EEA framework and guideline has been applied to estimate the economic value of the coastal ecosystems of Karnataka coastal stretch in India. The monetary values of the present account period could be used in National, State and regional policies and cross sectoral plans to integrate environment and economics. Using the monetary value, departments may assess the existing policies to choice alternative policies matching the stock, flow, demand and supply towards sustainable development.