You have full access to this open access article. The ecological importance of macrophytes is well known and reflected in nature protection law, for example, as a key biological quality element.
However, the socio-economic role, such as the impact of macrophyte presence on recreational activities, is often overlooked. The purpose of this study was to assess the human benefits or ecosystem services provided by macrophytes.
We developed a list of 25 macrophyte ecosystem services and 79 assessment indicators based on expert knowledge and literature data. First, hypothetical scenarios of coastal lagoons were developed to assess the impact of different ecological states i.
Scenario assessments were carried out by stakeholder workshops and literature search. Second, the ecosystem service potential of submerged and emergent macrophyte habitats were assessed by macrophyte experts and literature data. Results showed that cultural services are most important in terms of the overall actual provision of ecosystem services scenario assessment but also showing highest potential of the hypothetical ecosystem service provision habitat assessment.
Highest overall potential is shown for reeds and tall forb communities 83 out of maximum , followed by seagrass beds 71 and seaweed communities Our ecosystem service assessment approaches i.
