Coastal lagoon goods and services and human development

Seeram, Laishalla

http://hdl.handle.net/10400.1/502

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Alice declaration.pdf	28.1 KB	Adobe PDF	Download
declaration.pdf	39.79 KB	Adobe PDF	Download
Thesis Cover.pdf	1.31 MB	Adobe PDF	Download
Thesis defence- Laishalla 2008.pdf	2.08 MB	Adobe PDF	Download
WCM FINAL (UAlg) -Coastal lagoons-LSeeram 2008.pdf	2 MB	Adobe PDF	Download

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Authors

Seeram, Laishalla

Advisor(s)

Newton, Alice

Pemberton, Carlisle

Abstract(s)

Coastal lagoons are valuable ecosystems, which provide humans with many benefits. These benefits may take several forms but the economic benefits are highly valued, and are obtained from the lagoon’s goods and services. These goods and services are subjected to pressures and impacts from human development. Therefore in order to assess what changes may occur in these goods and services, three coastal lagoons are studied: the Oropuche (Trinidad & Tobago), Ria Formosa (Portugal), and Venice (Italy) lagoons. The Oropuche lagoon exists in a developing country, where the lagoon ecosystem is threatened by land use changes, a decrease in sustainable use and where management interventions are minimal. In developing countries, too often are ecosystem values suffered for the sake of economic development, therefore the study also aims to demonstrate to policy and decision makers about the need for improved management in the Oropuche lagoon. The study has showed that despite the level of human development: low, medium or high, impacts to the lagoon ecosystem may vary, but the lagoons essentially continue to provide key goods and services. It has also shown that there is a large potential for the Oropuche Lagoon to be sustainably managed so that its value can at least be maintained for future generations.