Willingness to pay for water ecosystem services in a river basin of the in South America largest semi-arid region

Abstract

Abstract This study presents the result on the Willingness To Pay (WTP) of Ecosystem Services (ES) regulating water a Brazilian watershed. The Brazilian semi-arid region is the largest semi-arid region in South America, this area is ranked as the most populated semi-arid region in the world. 393 questionnaires were applied using the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). Of the respondents in the basin territory, over (77.9%) expressed a positive WTP for maintaining the (SE) of Water. The payment for the conservation of the (ES) water regulators was R$10.00/month, the quality of water purification seemed to be an important aspect in terms of the value assigned in the payment. On the other hand, the protest votes for non-payment, which were (22.1%), pointed to the payment of too many taxes. The (WTP) for water conservation was defined by environmental interest and the loss of the (SES) provided Caatinga.