Abstract

ECONOMIC VALUATION OF CULTURAL ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN THE SERRA DO ROLA MOÇA STATE PARK, BRAZIL

Khaled Tomeh*, Philip Lacerda Rocha and Henrique Paprocki

ABSTRACT

Due to the environmental crisis, ecosystem services emerged as a focus in environmental strategic planning, involving interdisciplinary research linking natural systems to the economy. Among the tools used for conservation, the environmental economic valuation of ecosystem services is a global trend. The aim was to apply environmental economic valuation to cultural ecosystem services in the Serra do Rola Moça State Park, Minas Gerais (PESRM), Brazil. For valuation the Travel Cost Method, Replacement Cost Method and willingness-to-pay method were used. Then the Total Economic Value (VET) of the park was calculated. Essentially, the VET represents the sum of all values obtained in this work, and constitutes a monetary value of the PESRM. The expected value for 2026 is R$ 475,660,504.70 (US$ 145,500,366.64). This result has a high value despite the few cultural ecosystem services addressed. Thus, management changes, favoring the cultural ecosystem services of the PESRM and all other environmental conservation unit are essential to preservation of species of plants pharmacologically promissors, enhance awareness about biodiversity and increase human well- being related to nature.

Keywords: Environment, Economics, Plant Preservation, Culture, Awareness.