Ecosystem services of coastal wetlands for climate change mitigation: an economic analysis of Pokkali and Kaipad-based rotational paddy farming systems in India

Climate change and associated weather aberrations are wreaking havoc on the performance of production systems worldwide. Because of their proximity to the sea and risk of exposure, coastal wetlands are regarded as one of the most climatically vulnerable production systems. As a result, interventions to improve their adaptation and resilience to climate change are critical. We attempted to investigate the multifunctional ecosystem roles and services provided by the Pokkali and Kaipad paddy-based rotational farming systems on the southwest coast of India, which are being revived through a pilot programme implemented by the Kerala Agency for Development of Aquaculture. The physical and economic dimensions of the ecosystem services/disservices are assessed, and policy options for further land revival and area expansion of such wetlands are proposed.