ICM Publications

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

World Bank ICM Publication

 

 

Integrated Coastal Zone Management of Coral Reefs:

Decision Support Modeling

 

Kent Gustavson, Richard M. Huber, and Jack Ruitenbeek, editors

 

Coral reefs are sometimes referred to as "canaries of the sea" because of their early warning ability to show near-shore oceanic stress. Because of their biological diversity, they are also called "rainforests of the sea." Coral reefs are vital to the well being of millions of people.

Coral reef managers and government officials trying to save their valuable national resources have turned to research on coral reefs for help. The research presented in this publication merits a great deal of notice because the output is useful for decision support and training tools in integrated coastal zone management (ICZM). The work on cost-effectiveness analysis has developed integrated economic and ecological models, relying extensively on fuzzy logic procedures to model impacts and effects of interventions within the reef environment. By contrast, the marine system valuation work provides economic valuations of coral reefs, demonstrating the use of different modeling methods and treating key policy issues within this context.

Ecological economic decision support models can play a critical role in the development of effective integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) policies and programs. The results of cost-effectiveness modeling of management interventions and marine system valuation concerning coral reefs are reported for three case study sites in the developing tropics: Curacao, the Netherland Antilles; the Republic of the Maldives; and Montego Bay, Jamaica. Advice is offered regarding policy applications and research priorities. An interactive CD is included to allow researchers and decision-makers to explore the behavior of select models through the effects of development and environmental management strategies on coral reef health.

This publication will interest Bank staff and coastal zone experts and managers worldwide.

Subject category: Environment & Pollution Prevention
2000. 312 pages. 8 3/8 x 103/4. Stock no. 14628 (ISBN 0-8213-4628-8)
Price Code S35/$35.00
E-mail orders: books@worldbank.org
Internet: www.worldbank.org/publication
Review or Desk Copies: 202 473-1153

 

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