Rhodolith beds are biogenic calcareous habitats formed by free-living coralline algae that support high levels of biodiversity and contribute to the blue carbon cycle. Through a range of ecological processes and functions, rhodolith beds generate ecosystem services, defined as the benefits ecosystems provide to human well-being. While many studies have investigated their ecological functions, a clear integration of this knowledge with the services they supply is still lacking. This study presents an overview of the ecosystem services generated by rhodolith beds according to the CICES classification, including provisioning, regulating, and cultural services, while also considering supporting services (i.e., ecological functions) for their crucial role in generating all other services. Rhodolith beds are threatened by multiple anthropogenic pressures at both global (e.g., climate change) and local (e.g., fisheries activities) scales. It is therefore crucial to assess how ecosystem service flows may change in response to these environmental changes. Indeed, ocean warming, acidification, and bottom trawling are expected to affect calcification rates, habitat complexity, community structure, and habitat quality, with cascading effects on biodiversity support, carbon cycling, fisheries productivity, and other associated ecosystem services. In this context, to monitor changes in ecosystem extent, condition, and service supply driven by cumulative and synergistic anthropogenic pressures, this study proposes the implementation of the United Nations’ System of Environmental-Economic Accounting–Ecosystem Accounting (SEEA-EA) framework to support conservation and sustainable management of rhodolith beds. This approach provides a standardised tool to support policymakers and stakeholders in the management and protection of rhodolith beds, their ecosystem services, and future option values. • Rhodolith beds host rich biodiversity and provide essential ecosystem services. • They are threatened by climate change and local human activities. • Ecosystem services of rhodolith beds are analysed using the CICES classification. • SEEA-EA framework is proposed to monitor and manage these vital habitats.
Rendina et al. (Wed,) studied this question.