Enhancing the Valuation of Cultural Ecosystem Services Provided by Coastal Beaches Through Economic and Biophysical Methods

This study evaluates cultural ecosystem services (CESs) provided by coastal beaches in Korea using two valuation methods: choice experiments (CEs) and the energy method (EM). CESs, which include non-material benefits like recreation and esthetic enjoyment, are difficult to quantify through traditional market-based approaches. The CE method estimates individuals’ willingness to pay (WTP), offering an economic valuation, while the EM calculates the energy inputs required to sustain CESs, providing a biophysical perspective. The study compares CES values from both methods across 266 beaches in Korea. CES values from the CE method ranged from 6 million Korean won (KRW) (USD 5400) to KRW 93 billion (USD 84 million), while the EM yielded values between KRW 40 million (USD 36,000) and KRW 112 billion (USD 101 million). The EM generally yields higher valuations, particularly for rural beaches with fewer visitors, where ecological contributions dominate. In contrast, the CE values are closely aligned with the EM results for urban beaches, where human preferences and ecological inputs converge. These findings highlight the value of integrating economic and biophysical perspectives to provide policymakers with comprehensive data for balancing economic development and ecological conservation in coastal management. By adopting a dual-method approach, this research provides policymakers with concrete insights into optimizing resource allocation, prioritizing conservation efforts for less-visited rural beaches, and supporting sustainable coastal development tailored to regional characteristics.