scholarly journals Towards integrated mapping and assessment of ecosystems and their services in Bulgaria: The Central Balkan case study

One Ecosystem ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. e25428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stoyan Nedkov ◽  
Bilyana Borisova ◽  
Boian Koulov ◽  
Miglena Zhiyanski ◽  
Svetla Bratanova-Doncheva ◽  
...  

The aim of the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2020 isto maintain and enhance ecosystem services (ES) in Europe and requires all Member States to map and assess the state of ecosystems and their services in the respective national territories. The EU-funded project ESMERALDA analyses ES mapping and assessment methods and approaches in their biophysical, social and economical perspectives, as well as their application in different case studies. The project also aims at the development of an integrated and consistent assessment framework. In Bulgaria, methodological guides for evaluation and mapping of the services provided by the nine main types of ecosystems have been prepared together with the respective proposals for their implementation in the national assessment. The Bulgarian research team analyses and tests various aspects of ecosystem services mapping and assessment, such as alternative economic assessments, multi-criteria analyses and biophysical assessment approaches, mapping challenges and local population surveys. In this paper paper, we review the ES activities in Bulgaria and present selected mapping and assessment methods tested in the Central Balkan case study area. It provides relevant examples for the implementation of integrated mapping and assessment of ecosystem services at local and regional level, where different mapping approaches and techniques are embedded within diverse policy contexts. The main goal of the study is to investigate how the assessment results can support the integration of the ecological functions of the Central Balkan National Park with the economic opportunities that it creates for the local and regional communities. A tiered approach has been used to organise the mapping and assessment exercises in the study area, in order to meet the needs for integrated ecosystem assessment and overcome the limitations of data availability. At tier 1, the study performs identification and initial ES mapping of the whole area. At tier 2, it applies economic valuation for the Municipality of Karlovo by using statistical data and the contingent valuation method. At tier 3, the investigation applies modelling methods to assess carbon storage and flood regulation on a larger scale. The results are presented in the form of maps at all levels, which use a uniform 0 to 5 assessment scale. The integrated approach presented here ensures a clear communication of the end results to the respective decision-makers.

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 402-420
Author(s):  
Hsien-Hsin Cheng ◽  
Chung-Yao Liao

In contrast to previous post-quake revitalization initiatives in which urban redevelopment is emphasized, cultural projects and their non-market benefits have recently garnered increased attention. In the past, when post-quake revitalization cultural projects were evaluated, the non-market benefits of these projects were not considered. Consequently, we have adopted a contingent valuation method (CVM) as a process that can evaluate the non-market benefits of cultural projects. This article reports research on Jiji Township, which is the epicentre of the most severe earthquake recorded in Taiwan in the past 50 years. The study’s results verified that creative cultural projects generated numerous non-market benefits, and that local identity value is the key factor influencing residents’ valuation of the projects and the amount they are willing to pay. This study proposes an economic valuation process that helps establish a method for promoting creative cultural projects based on residents’ opinions and needs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-20
Author(s):  
Diswandi Diswandi ◽  
Luluk Fadliyanti ◽  
Mansur Afifi ◽  
Hailuddin Hailuddin

Harmonization of tourism and conservation activities can be used to achieve sustainable tourism. Regarding this matter, the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) program could be a promising solution to be implemented. By considering marine tourism in Gili Matra, Lombok, this study applied quantitative research method to analyzed the possibility of sustainable tourism development through the PES scheme for harmonizing marine tourism and preserve coral reefs. Data was collected thorugh survey to 100 international tourists that were selected randomly. Using the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), this study found that international tourists were willing to pay an average of USD 21.46 per visit to contribute to the PES program to sustain the existence of coral reefs and other marine biotas as ecosystem services provided by Gili Matra. The tourists’ educational and income levels influenced their willingness to pay.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (24) ◽  
pp. 7117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Ning ◽  
Jianjun Jin ◽  
Foyuan Kuang ◽  
Xinyu Wan ◽  
Chenyang Zhang ◽  
...  

Economic valuation of grassland ecosystem services is important for protecting and restoring grassland ecosystems. This study aims to investigate Chinese netizens’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) for protecting grassland ecosystem services in Inner Mongolia by using the contingent valuation method. The results indicate that 61.55% of respondents expressed a positive WTP. The mean WTP was estimated to be CNY 170.76 (USD 25.11) per person per year. We found that there is a significant spatial difference in respondent’s WTP. Factors such as respondent age, education, household income and concern about grassland protection significantly affected their WTP. Younger, more educated and wealthier respondents have a higher probability of willingness to pay, and those who are concerned about grassland protection present a higher WTP. The regression results also show that distance from the grassland negatively affects the probability and values of people’s WTP. Findings of this research provide useful policy implications for decision-makers involved in grassland protection and management.


2018 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 03033
Author(s):  
Tongyang Wei ◽  
Yong Yang

This paper uses the valuation of Xiu River Hydrological Regulating services in Jiangxi province, China as a case study to compare 3 methods to value the ecosystem services, i.e improved contingent valuation method, choice based conjoint analysis and special benefit transfer method. Willingness to pay is estimated by using Logit and Clogit with contrasting controls for non-protests residents. This study discusses the implications of these findings and direction for related future researches into the ecosystem services valuation in China. Appropriate methods should be used for different valuation proposes, rather than blindly using special benefit transfer method just for its convenience. China should construct Ecosystem services value table based on Chinese case studies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Justus E. Eregae ◽  
Paul Njogu ◽  
Rebecca Karanja ◽  
Moses Gichua

Valuation of ecosystem services (ESs) can be typical as use values and passive use values. However, the prevailing conventional markets provide economic instruments such as price tags to ecosystem use values, but rarely on passive use values. This is limited since it does not provide comprehensive ecological values that will adequately support rational decision-making processes regarding ecological conservation. The study adopted the contingency valuation method (CVM) where three hundred and eighty households of communities living within the Elgeyo watershed were sampled. The findings recorded 97% of the population was willing to pay for the ESs quoted. Individual maximum WTP ranged between 1 USD and 57.1 USD (cultural), 1 USD and 95.2 USD (bequest), and 1 USD and 76.2 USD (biodiversity conservation). The overall mean maximum WTP was 7.4 ± 0.34 USD, 9.1 ± 0.49 USD, and 11.1 ± 0.68 USD for the cultural, bequest, and biodiversity, respectively. The multivariate regression (maximum WTP as a function of administrative location, education, income, sex, age, and livestock number) exhibited a significant difference regardless of multivariate criteria used, where Wilks’ lambda has F (75,203) = 4.03, p < 0.001 . The findings provide an economic value for nonuse values that can be incorporated in total economic valuation (TEV) studies locally as well as provide an impetus on payment of ecosystem services (PES) in Kenya.


2017 ◽  
Vol 77 (4) ◽  
pp. 762-773 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. M. Resende ◽  
G. W. Fernandes ◽  
D. C. Andrade ◽  
H. D. Néder

Abstract Considering that the economic valuation of ecosystem services is a useful approach to support the conservation of natural areas, we aimed to estimate the monetary value of the benefits provided by a protected area in southeast Brazil, the Serra do Cipó National Park. We calculated the visitor’s willingness to pay to conserve the ecosystems of the protected area using the contingent valuation method. Located in a region under intense anthropogenic pressure, the Serra do Cipó National Park is mostly composed of rupestrian grassland ecosystems, in addition to other Cerrado physiognomies. We conducted a survey consisting of 514 interviews with visitors of the region and found that the mean willingness to pay was R$ 7.16 year–1, which corresponds to a total of approximately R$ 716,000.00 year–1. We detected that per capita income, the household size, the level of interest in environmental issues and the place of origin influenced the likelihood that individuals are willing to contribute to the conservation of the park, as well as the value of the stated willingness to pay. This study conveys the importance of conserving rupestrian grassland and other Cerrado physiognomies to decision makers and society.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agerie Nega Wassihun ◽  
Fikeremaryam Birara Feleke ◽  
Gebrehiwot Abebe Bayeh ◽  
Yitayew Malede Nega

Abstract Background: Despite exceptional ecosystem services are provided by Altash National Park, anthropogenic activities exert immense pressures on the parks’ natural resources from the surrounding community which is eventually degrading the productivity of ecosystem services. Therefore, the aim of this study was economic valuation of ecosystem services of Altash National Park of Ethiopia. Using systematic random sampling 196 sample respondents were selected. Double bounded dichotomous choice followed by open ended format of contingent valuation method was used to state households’ willingness to pay (WTP) and their maximum WTP for conservation of ecosystem services of the park. Seemingly unrelated bivariate probit model was employed to analyse the data. Results: First and second offered bid values, Sex of respondent, Years of living in Kebele, Education status, Distance from home to park, Benefit of preservation, Distance from farm to park, Training on park conservation were found to have statistically significant influence on households’ WTP for improving conservation of ecosystem services of the park. The expected aggregate WTP from double bounded dichotomous choice and open ended format was estimated 1,511,172.96 and 1,526,194.56 birr, respectively. Conclusions: Based on the findings, since all respondents were willing to pay for the conservation of ecosystem services of the park, for every decision and formulation of policies and strategies, participation of local communities should be considered. Finally, regular training and workshop should be delivered for local communities to enhance awareness about the environmental and economic values of the park and to develop sense of ownership.


Author(s):  
Ioannis Souliotis ◽  
Nikolaos Voulvoulis

AbstractThe EU Water Framework Directive requires the development of management responses aimed towards improving water quality as a result of improving ecosystem health (system state). Ecosystems have potential to supply a range of services that are of fundamental importance to human well-being, health, livelihoods and survival, and their capacity to supply these services depends on the ecosystem condition (its structure and processes). According to the WFD, Programmes of Measures should be developed to improve overall water status by reducing anthropogenic catchment pressures to levels compatible with the achievement of the ecological objectives of the directive, and when designed and implemented properly should improve the ecological condition of aquatic ecosystems that the delivery of ecosystem services depends on. Monitoring and evaluation of implemented measures are crucial for assessing their effectiveness and creating the agenda for consecutive planning cycles. Considering the challenges of achieving water status improvements, and the difficulties of communicating these to the wider public, we develop a framework for the evaluation of measures cost-effectiveness that considers ecosystem services as the benefits from the reduction of pressures on water bodies. We demonstrate its application through a case study and discuss its potential to facilitate the economic analysis required by the directive, and that most European water authorities had problems with. Findings demonstrate the potential of the methodology to effectively incorporate ecosystem services in the assessment of costs and benefits of proposed actions, as well as its potential to engage stakeholders.


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