Supporting people and nature across neighboring nations with land-sea planning at multiple scales

Abstract

AbstractDeforestation impacts the benefits coral reefs provide to coastal communities in multiple ways. Yet, connections between terrestrial and marine ecosystems are generally assessed at a single scale and from an ecological perspective alone. This limits understanding of societal outcomes and the distributional effects of watershed interventions. We employ linked land-sea ecosystem service models in the Mesoamerican Reef region to explore how watershed management (restoration, protection, and sustainable agriculture) at regional and country scales influences where to prioritize actions and the delivery of coastal and marine benefits. With a regional perspective, interventions are prioritized in larger transboundary watersheds, resulting in more sediment retention and healthier coral reefs for neighboring nations. At the country scale, non-transboundary, often smaller, watersheds are targeted, leading to decreased coastal risk, and increased tourism and fisheries benefits for each nation individually. Our findings highlight the effect of scale on social and ecological outcomes across and within nations. We identify win-win strategies that can improve forests and coral health while generating increased benefits to coastal communities.