Carlson Rachel R, Klitzke Joanna, Daily Gretchen C, Crowder Larry B, Reguero Borja G, Asner Gregory P
Emmett Interdisciplinary Program in Environment and Resources, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
Center for Global Discovery and Conservation Science, Arizona State University, Hilo, HI, USA.
Sci Rep. 2025 Mar 18;15(1):9285. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-93439-x.
Coral reefs provide important economic benefits to coastal businesses, supporting recreation and tourism and protecting property from storms. Yet, these benefits are at risk worldwide as corals decline rapidly, and investment in restoration is lacking. With their direct dependence on coral health, coastal businesses may represent an important sector for funding coral restoration; however, it is unclear whether businesses perceive coral reef services as valuable or themselves as reef stewards. We measured business perceptions of coral health and value in Hawai'i and identified traits correlated with business decisions to participate in coral restoration at three payment thresholds. We found that businesses see limited economic value in coral reefs. In areas where corals provide substantial ecosystem services (flood protection, tourism revenue), businesses did not consistently rate coral value as high. Nonetheless, businesses showed strong willingness to pay for coral restoration, which was linked to pro-nature motives, reputation, and Native Hawaiian ownership. Results highlight key strategies for engaging private entities in coral restoration.
珊瑚礁为沿海企业带来重要的经济效益，支持休闲娱乐和旅游业，并保护财产免受风暴侵袭。然而，随着珊瑚在全球范围内迅速衰退且缺乏对珊瑚礁恢复的投资，这些益处正面临风险。由于沿海企业直接依赖珊瑚的健康状况，它们可能是为珊瑚礁恢复提供资金的重要部门；然而，尚不清楚企业是否将珊瑚礁服务视为有价值的，或者将自身视为珊瑚礁的管理者。我们衡量了夏威夷企业对珊瑚健康和价值的看法，并确定了在三个支付门槛下与企业参与珊瑚礁恢复决策相关的特征。我们发现企业认为珊瑚礁的经济价值有限。在珊瑚提供大量生态系统服务（防洪、旅游收入）的地区，企业并没有一直将珊瑚的价值评价得很高。尽管如此，企业表现出了强烈的为珊瑚礁恢复付费的意愿，这与亲自然动机、声誉以及夏威夷原住民所有权有关。研究结果突出了让私营实体参与珊瑚礁恢复的关键策略。
