Estimación del valor económico de los servicios ecosistémicos proporcionados por la vereda El Carmen, ubicada en Villavicencio - Meta, como contribución a la toma de decisiones

Abstract

El Carmen cove is part of the La Honda and caños Parrado y Buque “Buenavista” protected forest reserve, with an approximated area of 481,24 ha, it has been a very important ecosystem for the Villavicencio municipality thanks to its multiple functions, today it is regarded as a place with high touristic dynamism, which creates problems concerning degradation and bad management, this is increased by the lack decision making tools for the right management of these ecosystems. For this reason, there was the need to measure the economic value of this area, as this is a useful tool for decision making and resources utilization, also, it allows us to justify and define priorities, politics or actions to protect or recover the ecosystems and their services. In this project, its economic services are identified, the perception of the residents of the sector are stablished, and the contingent measurement method has been applied. This was done in an effort to consolidate this work document which contains the first estimation of the economic value and ecosystem services provided by the cove, also this work will hopefully contribute to decision making regarding the right management of ecosystem services in this highly important and touristic area.