ECONOMIC VALUATION OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES: A STUDY APPLIED TO THE TUMUCUMAQUE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, AMAPÁ STATE, BRAZIL

Resumo

The economic valuation of ecosystem services is a support tool for decision-making processes associated
with the integral management of natural resources. In this respect, the aim of the present study is to
estimate the Total Economic Value (TEV) for ecosystem goods and services offered by the Tumucumaque
Mountains National Park (PNMT). The methodology used was based on the application of the Contingent
Valuation Method (CVM), through a binary logistic regression model for calculating individual Willingness
to Pay (WTP), and to obtain the TEV, other methods were used, such as the Avoided Cost Method (ACM),
Market Price Method (MPM) and Benefit Transfer Method (BTM). Through a simple stratified probabilistic
sampling with proportional allocation, an optimal sample of 167 individuals was obtained from eight
municipalities that lie within the confines of the park. The result was a Total Economic Value (TEV) of
R$16,062,553,242.47, which corresponds to the Use Value (UV) of R$15,927,316,277.69, divided into
Direct Use Value (DUV) R$2,260,299.87 and Indirect Use Value (IUV) R$15,925,055,977.82. As Non-Use
Values (NUV), the Existence Value (EV) and Bequest Values (BV) were identified, corresponding to a total
of R$135,236,964.79. This estimation aids decision-making processes in conservation units by the bodies
and institutions responsible for administration in Amapá State, considered the Brazilian state with the
highest preserved area index in the country