یک ارزیابی از ارزش های غیر بازاری خدمات اکوسیستم های ارائه شده توسط منطقه ساحلی کاتالان، اسپانیا

A spatial value transfer analysis was performed to generate baseline estimates of the value of ecosystem services in the coastal zone of Catalonia, Spain. The study used the best available conceptual frameworks, data sources, and analytical techniques to generate non-market monetary value estimates that can be used to identify scarce ecosystem services among competing coastal uses. The approach focused on natural and seminatural, terrestrial and marine systems, which provide essential services that are not considered in current economic markets. Results show that in 2004 a substantial economic value of $3,195 million USD/yr was delivered to local citizens by surrounding ecosystems. In a spatially explicit manner, the approach illustrates the contribution made by natural environmental systems to the well being of communities in the coastal zone of Catalonia. It is hoped that this study will highlight the need to consider these coastal systems in future management strategies to ensure their proper maintenance and conservation.

If sustainably managed and protected, ecosystems offer benefits to current and future generations. The concept of ecosystem services, which is defined as the flow of benefits from nature to people, offers a framework in which to promote this vision [1]. Traditionally, benefits from the use of natural resources have not been fully incorporated into coastal zone management. Ecologically productive and multifunctional ecosystems continue to be converted into simple, single functional land use/land cover zones (e.g. croplands, urban developments, artificial hardening of the shoreline). The result is a biotic homogenization of the coastal environment [2]. One reason why the benefits obtained from these areas is still underestimated is the difficulty in expressing their indirect use value or the importance of their ecological functions in monetary terms. Since most of the economic value of coastal and marine environments lies outside the markets, failure to provide an analogous economic indicator for ecosystem services is potentially more detrimental for coastal and ocean economies than for others.

This study established a set of criteria to estimate the non-market ESV using a value transfer approach in a spatially explicit manner for the Catalan coast. The comarca was selected as the working administrative unit. Results indicate that an economic value of at least $3,195.99 million USD was delivered to citizens in 2004 by the Catalan coastal systems. If this is incorporated into estimates for the wealth of the Catalan coastal area and a new aggregated figure representing both the economic and natural wealth of the area is established, it would be the equivalent of each family receiving an additional 4.3% in available income every year. This implies that every year ecosystem services provide a substantial and indeed quantifiable contribution to the well being of coastal communities and should therefore be included in future management plans as essential coastal assets.