Ecosystem services from aquaculture: Valuing the hidden benefits of aquatic farming systems

Abstract

Aquaculture is generally evaluated in terms of fish production, farm income, employment and input output efficiency. However, ponds, wetlands, rice-fish systems and other aquaculture-based farming systems also interact with soil, water, biodiversity, farmers, institutions and rural infrastructure, generating a much wider range of benefits. These include nutrient recycling, water storage, flood
regulation, carbon sequestration, habitat provision, livelihood diversification, knowledge generation and cultural values. Such benefits are often poorly reflected in conventional farm accounting because many of them are not traded in markets. A four-capital perspective comprising natural, human, social and produced capital provides a useful way of organising these interlinked contributions. In this approach, the capitals are considered as the underlying stocks, while ecosystem services and farm products represent flows arising from their interaction. The article discusses the major ecosystem services associated with aquaculture-based farming systems and describes practical methods for their biophysical and economic valuation. An evaluation matrix is proposed for Indian aquaculture and integrated farming systems to support more comprehensive assessment of their economic, ecological and social contributions.