Ecosystem Services from the Salish Sea
Presentation Abstract
The Salish Sea is home to a diverse assemblage of species and habitats. Thousands of streams and rivers drain approximately 7,500 km of coastline into more than 16,000 km2 of marine waters that support more than 37 mammals species, 172 bird species, 200 fish species and thousands of species of invertebrates. In addition to their intrinsic rights, the abundance, distribution and diversity of these organisms, along with their biotic and abiotic interactions, create conditions and processes that provide many benefits to humans. These include services from clean water and flood protection to seafood production and bird watching. Our study found that the monetary wealth generated from the provisioning of these services to bird watching alone generates over one billion dollars annually. Importantly, ecosystem services can be placed in jeopardy when human populations and industrial activities affect productive and sensitive areas. We examine this component with specific focus on the potential oil spills impacts to areas within the Salish Sea that would have consequences for ecosystem services and the people they benefit.
Session Title
Session S-03F: Tools for Assessment and Implementation
Conference Track
Planning Assessment & Communication
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
1-5-2014 5:00 PM
End Date
1-5-2014 6:30 PM
Location
Room 6C
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Oil spills--Economic aspects--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Oil spills--Environmental aspects--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Oil spills and wildlife--Economic aspects--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Oil spills and wildlife--Environmental aspects--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Ecosystem Services from the Salish Sea
Room 6C
The Salish Sea is home to a diverse assemblage of species and habitats. Thousands of streams and rivers drain approximately 7,500 km of coastline into more than 16,000 km2 of marine waters that support more than 37 mammals species, 172 bird species, 200 fish species and thousands of species of invertebrates. In addition to their intrinsic rights, the abundance, distribution and diversity of these organisms, along with their biotic and abiotic interactions, create conditions and processes that provide many benefits to humans. These include services from clean water and flood protection to seafood production and bird watching. Our study found that the monetary wealth generated from the provisioning of these services to bird watching alone generates over one billion dollars annually. Importantly, ecosystem services can be placed in jeopardy when human populations and industrial activities affect productive and sensitive areas. We examine this component with specific focus on the potential oil spills impacts to areas within the Salish Sea that would have consequences for ecosystem services and the people they benefit.
