Values for protecting the Great Barrier Reef: A review and synthesis of studies over the past 35 years

Assessing the economic value of improved protection of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is important to demonstrate the consequences of loss and to evaluate the public benefits of programs to reduce pressures and address degradation. However, those values are not easy to measure, in part because of the diversity and complexity of the GBR, and because there are very different types of benefits involved. Since 1985, there have been over 40 major studies that have assessed values for these components at the whole GBR level, and many more for components at smaller scales. This study synthesises estimates from the major valuation studies in the GBR since 1985, generating estimates of average values across different benefit categories. We observe mixed results. While values are often reasonably consistent within sub-categories, there is mixed evidence about temporal trends and the small number of available studies makes it difficult to draw definitive outcomes.