The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity has agreed on an "Indicative list (non-exhaustive) of examples of functions of the natural environment that directly (flora and fauna) or indirectly (services provided by ecosystems) derive from biological diversity" (Decision COP VI/7, Appendix 3). The list includes several functions that are relevant to coastal areas and contributes to sustainable coastal tourism.

They can be summarized as follows:

I Production functions:

1. Natural production
   • Timber, firewood and natural fodder production
   • Fish, shellfish and harvestable bush meat production
   • Supply of surface and ground water
2. Nature-based human production
   • Crop and range productivity
   • Managed forest productivity
   • Aquaculture and mariculture productivity
3. Carrying functions
   • Suitability for nature conservation, leisure and tourism activities
   • Suitability for navigation
   • Suitability for construction, settlement, industry, infrastructure etc.

II Processing and regulation functions:

1. Land-based functions
   • Coastal protection against floods
   • Coastal stabilization against accretion/erosion
   • Soil protection
   • Biological control mechanisms
2. Water related functions
   • Flushing/cleansing/purification function
   • River base flow regulation
   • Regulation of water balance
   • Sedimentation/retention capacity
   • Prevention of saline ground and surface water intrusion
3. Air-related functions
   • Filtering of air
   • Wind breaks
4. Biodiversity-related functions
   • Maintenance of genetic, species and ecosystem composition
   • Maintenance of spatial and temporal structure
   • Maintenance of key processes for structuring or maintaining biodiversity
5. Signification functions
   • Cultural/religious/scientific/landscape functions