Effects of spatial and temporal scales on cultural services valuation

Publikation: Beiträge in ZeitschriftenZeitschriftenaufsätzeForschungbegutachtet

Authors

The monetary valuation of ecosystem services has proved to be a powerful tool for influencing management decisions, as it can be used to quantify the relative importance of various ecosystem functions. However, these valuation methods are rarely implemented with adequate care; in particular, they do not consider spatial and temporal variations in the services offered and demanded. This paper examines the effect of heterogeneity on the valuation of cultural services offered by the Doñana natural protected area in Spain. We apply the zonal travel cost method at various spatial scales, and the individual travel cost method at various temporal scales. We conclude that economic valuation techniques must account for spatial and temporal heterogeneity if they are to provide accurate and realistic information.

OriginalspracheEnglisch
ZeitschriftJournal of Environmental Management
Jahrgang90
Ausgabenummer2
Seiten (von - bis)1050-1059
Anzahl der Seiten10
ISSN0301-4797
DOIs
PublikationsstatusErschienen - 02.2009
Extern publiziertJa

    Fachgebiete

  • Cultural services, Doñana natural protected area, Mediterranean social-ecological system, Spatial-temporal scales, Travel cost method
  • Ökosystemforschung

DOI