TY - JOUR
T1 - Applying the ecosystem services - EBM framework to sustainably manage Qatar's coral reefs and seagrass beds
AU - Fanning, Lucia M.
AU - Al-Naimi, Mera Nasser
AU - Range, Pedro
AU - Ali, Abdel Samad M.
AU - Bouwmeester, Jessica
AU - Al-Jamali, Fahad
AU - Burt, John A.
AU - Ben-Hamadou, Radhouane
N1 - Funding Information:
This publication was made possible by the NPRP award [NPRP8-952-1-186] from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of The Qatar Foundation ) through the National Priority Research Program. The statements made herein are solely the responsibility of the authors.
Funding Information:
Through the project entitled Integrated Assessment of Qatari Coral Ecosystems: Towards an Ecosystem-based Approach for Management, NPRP No.: NPRP8-952-1-186, led by Qatar University and funded by the Qatar National Research Fund, Qatar has begun the process of acquiring the data needed to begin applying the Ecosystem Services – EBM framework. The work undertaken has led to valuable insights regarding both the natural environment as well as the value that different stakeholders are placing on the coral reef and seagrass ecosystems. Most significantly, it has resulted in the identification of a number of goals, strategies and actions that potentially may be assessed further by Qatari policy- and decision-makers and the public for implementation.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 The Authors
PY - 2021/5/1
Y1 - 2021/5/1
N2 - Given the current natural and anthropogenic threats facing Qatar's marine environment and the consequential expected decline in ecosystem services, this paper examines the potential application of the Ecosystem Services-EBM framework developed by Granek et al. (2010) to sustainably manage Qatar's coral reef and seagrass bed ecosystems. Using interviews with stakeholders and field-collected data from sixteen coral reef sites and 6 seagrass meadows as well as secondary data, the paper presents new knowledge regarding the status of these ecosystems and the benefits they provide that are most valued by stakeholders. The research identifies existing and missing ecological and socio-economic data, as well as the processes and management strategies required to implement the five-step framework within a Qatari context. Key goals for implementing EBM identified by stakeholders include: adoption of scientific planning and valuation of marine environment, contextualizing and drafting legislation, regulations and policies in support of EBM; monitoring and enforcement of laws; and, promotion of public awareness and engagement. The article concludes with recommendations for filling remaining data gaps and highlights opportunities available to Qatar to become a leader in implementing EBM. These include maximizing the increasing role that stakeholders can play in mitigating further decline of the country's coastal ecosystems and leveraging mega events planned in Qatar, such as FIFA World Cup 2022.
AB - Given the current natural and anthropogenic threats facing Qatar's marine environment and the consequential expected decline in ecosystem services, this paper examines the potential application of the Ecosystem Services-EBM framework developed by Granek et al. (2010) to sustainably manage Qatar's coral reef and seagrass bed ecosystems. Using interviews with stakeholders and field-collected data from sixteen coral reef sites and 6 seagrass meadows as well as secondary data, the paper presents new knowledge regarding the status of these ecosystems and the benefits they provide that are most valued by stakeholders. The research identifies existing and missing ecological and socio-economic data, as well as the processes and management strategies required to implement the five-step framework within a Qatari context. Key goals for implementing EBM identified by stakeholders include: adoption of scientific planning and valuation of marine environment, contextualizing and drafting legislation, regulations and policies in support of EBM; monitoring and enforcement of laws; and, promotion of public awareness and engagement. The article concludes with recommendations for filling remaining data gaps and highlights opportunities available to Qatar to become a leader in implementing EBM. These include maximizing the increasing role that stakeholders can play in mitigating further decline of the country's coastal ecosystems and leveraging mega events planned in Qatar, such as FIFA World Cup 2022.
KW - Data gaps
KW - Management strategies
KW - Marine ecosystem-based management
KW - Qatar
KW - Stakeholder values
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U2 - 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.105566
DO - 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.105566
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85101548401
SN - 0964-5691
VL - 205
JO - Ocean and Coastal Management
JF - Ocean and Coastal Management
M1 - 105566
ER -