Ecosystem services provided by a non-cultured shellfish species: The common cockle Cerastoderma edule

Abstract Coastal habitats provide many important ecosystem services. The substantial role of shellfish in delivering ecosystem services is increasingly recognised, usually with a focus on cultured species. By contrast, this study deals with Europe's main wild-harvested bivalve species and assesses the ecosystem services of the common cockle Cerastoderma edule. Data and information are synthesised from five countries along the Atlantic European coast with a long history of cockle fisheries. The cockle helps to create habitat and support biodiversity, and plays a key role in the supporting services on which many of the other services depend. Data on provisioning, regulating and cultural services are also collated and quantified. Preliminary economic valuation of some of these services in a European context is provided where possible, and key knowledge gaps identified. It is concluded that the cockle has the potential to become (i) an important focus of conservation and improved sustainable management practices in coastal areas and communities, and (ii) a suitable model species to study the integration of cultural ecosystem services within the broader paradigm and application of ‘ecosystem services’ as a way of conceptualising the environment.