Valuation of ecosystem goods and services of seven Caribbean coastal lagoons

Abstract

Objective: This study was to estimate the value of the ecosystem goods and services of seven coastal lagoons in the Sabana – Camagüey Archipelago. Methodology: Results were obtained using general and empirical methods, as well as different research techniques. Four of the lagoons studied are in Cayo Coco and the rest in Cayo Sabinal. Relevance: The methodological framework for this research had dynamic, comprehensive and systemic purposes with two steps: comprehensive characterization of the lagoons and their ecosystem goods and services and the calculation of the value (revenues) of these goods and services (real and potential) for each lagoon, for each territory and for the entire study area. Results: The coastal lagoons from Cayo Coco and Cayo Sabinal offer a wide variety of goods and services (fishing, beekeeping, tourism) still underestimated due to different factors. The direct and indirect use values of these lagoons represented more than 95 % (15 million Cuban pesos) of the total estimated value. Social / management contributions: the current social and economic context of Cuba and the regulatory and institutional frameworks require the use of methods and techniques for economic valuation of ecosystem goods and services, particularly those of coastal ecosystems, in correspondence with the fast development of tourism in coastal areas. For this reason, the results of this study could be a starting point to expand the valuation of ecosystem goods and service to other Caribbean and Cuban coastal lagoons.