Benefits
The benefits module evaluates whether alternative restoration plans are likely to provide an array of ecosystem services.
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Investments in ecological restoration are based upon evaluations of restoration outputs where those outputs reflect the effects of restoration measures on ecosystem value & productivity. The most prominent indicator of ecosystem degradation in coastal Louisiana is the dramatic loss of wetland acreage in the late 20th century; however, the Benefits Protocols used by the CLEAR Program serve a broader purpose - to evaluate the achievement of alternative plans in providing an array of ecosystem services of national significance - not simply the reversal of wetland loss. The Benefits Protocols provides a means of comparing complex patterns, both in space & time, of ecosystem change.
Restoring a sustainable cypress forest
As an example of ecosystem value, restoring a sustainable cypress forest yields a significant number of benefits than simply renewing the cypress trees. A sustainable cypress forest supports a variety fish & wildlife communities, aesthetics & recreational opportunites, flood protection, & water quality improvement.
For more information on Benefits, view these publications:
Concepts for Future Decision Making & Benefits Analysis for Louisiana Coastal Restoration
Concepts for Future Decision Making & Benefits Analysis for Louisiana Coastal Restoration
LCA Benefits Assessment Protocols