Description of the ecosystem services provided by broad-scale habitats and features of conservation importance that are likely to be protected by Marine Protected Areas in the Marine Conservation Zone Project area.

The aim of this literature review was to provide a baseline understanding of the marine ecosystem services that are provided by the broad-scale habitats and features of conservation importance that are likely to be protected by Marine Protected Areas in the Marine Conservation Zone Project area.

Coastal and marine ecosystems provide a variety of valuable economic services to human society. Examples include food production, flood protection and recreational and aesthetic benefits. There are various definitions of ecosystem services and methods for their classification, although all are related to the benefits that ecosystems provide for human society. By developing an understanding of ecosystem services, the implications for humans of changes to ecosystems can be assessed.