mNCEA policy brief - PELCAP: Natural Capital in Plankton & Pelagic Habitats

Abstract

This policy brief fact sheet descries ecosystem services provided by pelagic habitats and a natural capital accounting of the the economic contribution pelagic habitats provide to the UK, as estimated by the Office of National Statistics.

Plankton is vital for the functioning of marine ecosystems but is hard to value monetarily. According to the Office of National Statistics, plankton in UK waters provides services valued at up to 3.4 £ billion per year. PHEG members think that this is an underestimate.

This project was funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) as part of the marine arm of the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme. The marine NCEA programme is leading the way in supporting Government ambition to integrate natural capital approaches into decision making for the marine environment. Find out more at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/natural-capital-and-ecosystem-assessment-programme