ENVIRONMENTAL VALUATION OF PROTECTED AREAS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Abstract

The methods of economic valuation of environment measure the level of welfare of the population in relation to natural resources and are necessary in determining the social costs and benefits when the public investment decisions affect the population and therefore their level of well be. The natural and environmental resources generate various goods and services that are reflected in the general well-being of individuals. Some of these benefits can be evaluated easily because they are related in some way, the system of market (production of food, minerals, for example). However, other goods and services from the environment, such as recreation, leisure, contemplation, for lack of market prices, are extremely difficult to be measured by "traditional" monetary economic theory. The techniques for valuation of the environment want to measure individual preferences for changes in quality or quantity offered the environmental resource. These preferences correspond to the measures of welfare, which are obtained through the provision to pay for the improvement of a resource, or the disposition to receive the worsening or decline the offer of a resource. Already the methods are expressed in monetary values and are part of the theory of micro-economy. This paper presents the economic valuation of environment as an alternative for environmental management for protected areas. The environmental valuation gives contributions to a social perception extended to the understanding on priorities related to the maintenance and restoration of environmental benefits provided by units of conservation. These contributions supplement the logic of management, providing a wide socioeconomic criteria and goals for the conservation of nature. Key words: Environmental Valuation. Protected Areas. Environmental Management. Environmental Benefits. Natural Resources. Social Perception.