Social–ecological benefits of land–sea planning at multiple scales in Mesoamerica

Jade M. S. Delevaux (), Jess M. Silver, Samantha G. Winder, Nadia Bood, Luis Chevez, Pilar Velásquez, Alejandra Calzada Vázquez Vela, Ryan Barlett, Maria Amalia Porta, Stacie A. Wolny, Allison Bailey, Melanie McField, Aarón Israel Muñiz-Castillo and Katie K. Arkema
Additional contact information
Jade M. S. Delevaux: Stanford University
Jess M. Silver: Stanford University
Samantha G. Winder: University of Washington
Nadia Bood: World Wildlife Fund-Mesoamerica
Luis Chevez: World Wildlife Fund-Mesoamerica
Pilar Velásquez: World Wildlife Fund-Mesoamerica
Alejandra Calzada Vázquez Vela: World Wildlife Fund
Ryan Barlett: World Wildlife Fund
Maria Amalia Porta: World Wildlife Fund-Mesoamerica
Stacie A. Wolny: Stanford University
Allison Bailey: Stanford University
Melanie McField: Healthy Reefs for Healthy People
Aarón Israel Muñiz-Castillo: Healthy Reefs for Healthy People
Katie K. Arkema: Stanford University

Nature Sustainability, 2024, vol. 7, issue 5, 545-557

Abstract: Abstract Deforestation impacts the ecosystem services provided by downstream coral reefs to coastal communities in multiple ways, such as through increased sedimentation and nutrification. However, connections between terrestrial and marine ecosystems are generally assessed at a single scale and from an ecological perspective alone, limiting our understanding of how watershed management affects the benefits accrued by coastal communities at different scales. Here we explore how ecological and societal benefits of watershed interventions (restoration, protection and sustainable agriculture) differ when considered regionally versus nationally in the Mesoamerican Reef region, by using linked land–sea ecosystem service models. Results from a regional approach prioritize implementing interventions in larger multinational watersheds, leading to neighbouring nations benefiting from increased sediment retention and healthy corals. For the national prioritization approach, selecting for smaller watersheds within individual countries resulted in more societal benefits, particularly increased coastal protection and nature-based tourism, at the cost of improved coral health for neighbouring nations. We demonstrate how planning at multiple scales across the region can improve ecosystem and societal benefits, resulting in win–win outcomes.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-024-01325-7

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