Mapping Ocean Wealth: A Tool for Exploring Ecosystem Services of Coastal and Marine Environments

Mapping Ocean Wealth (MOW) represents a major synthesis of innovative science to model and map ecosystem services at multiple scales in coastal and marine environments. This project began in 2014, led by The Nature... [ view full abstract ]

Mapping Ocean Wealth (MOW) represents a major synthesis of innovative science to model and map ecosystem services at multiple scales in coastal and marine environments. This project began in 2014, led by The Nature Conservancy, in collaboration with multiple partners. MOW convenes scientists to review current knowledge, and to consult with experts to develop models that quantify the value of ecosystem services (e.g., financial, risk reduction, seafood harvest, blue carbon) under varying conditions. Model results are mapped to provide spatially-explicit data products that can be used to inform marine planning and protection. The MOW website and map viewer (maps.oceanwealth.org) enables exploration of data derived from global and local scales studies around four key services: recreation and tourism; natural coastal protection; coral reef fisheries, and carbon storage and sequestration. Upcoming map services will be added for filtration. Interactive “apps” enable more detailed interrogation of the datasets and the generation of summary statistics that can also be used to create downloadable images or reports. For example, coral reefs globally have an annual expected protection benefit for more than 257,000 people and $5.9 billion in capital. In the Philippines specifically, reefs protect 73,163 people and $970 M in capital. This demonstration will include an overview of Mapping Ocean Wealth and its key functionalities, features, existing and upcoming apps. We will also describe how the data and tools can be applied to marine spatial planning, MPA designations, restoration, and investment in nature initiatives.