Economic evaluation of ecosystem services in the coastal zone - the case of the MNPJL by the of travel costs method

Abstract

Classifying and estimating the economic value of ecosystem services (ES) in the Coastal Zone could draw attention of society to the importance of the benefits generated by its ecosystems. ES are those provided by ecosystems to human beings. It can be the ecological qualities that make it attractive as recreational, sporting and artistic inspiration, as well as water stored in aquifers, the population surplus of fish for human consumption; among others. As a case study we used the Conservation Unit of the Municipal Natural Park of the Jacaré Lagoon of the Dunes of Santinho (MNPJL), located in Santinho Beach, in the extreme northeast of Santa Catarina Island (SCI). In addition to the importance of the MNPJL due to the diversity of its natural ecosystems and its ES for the well-being of the population, the place is located among important beaches that foster the economy of Florianopolis tourism. Using a Geographic Information System (GIS), 6 natural ecosystems of the MNPJL were mapped (Atlantic Forest, Restinga, Dune, Rocky Coast, Bathed and Beach). The identification, classification and analysis of the MNPJL ES was carried out based on Costanza et al. (1997), MEA (2005), Maynard et al. (2010) and the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services (CICES). In all, 20 ecosystem services were identified, of which: 4 for Provision; 5 Regulation and Maintenance; and, 11 Cultural. Of the latter, six cultural ES of recreation and leisure were chosen for economic valuation by the Travel Costs Method (TCM). The TCM attributes the amount spent by tourists to travel to a place, for recreation, as an approximation of the benefits, or the use value, of this recreation service. The data were obtained through questionnaires applied to 33 tourists who visited the MNPJL from January to February 2019. The variables used, extracted from the data of the socioeconomic characterization of the interviews, were the cost of travel time, the cost of transportation and the daily cost of travel, food and accommodation. The amount resulting from the Use of the MNPJL was estimated at R $ 25,897,281.78 per year. Decision makers and managers of natural areas remaining in the Coastal Zone should use the knowledge presented here to accelerate the effective processes of preservation of these areas, either through the elaboration and implementation of management plans; creation of new Conservation Units; among others. In addition, the use of these services can be taxed for the maintenance and conservation of ES, guaranteeing the quality of life of human society and the income from the tourist market.