December 8-11, 2008 z Naples, Florida, USA
Factors Influencing Economic Value of Ecosystem Services: A Comparison
between Mediterranean Wetlands and Forests
Elisa Oteros-Rozas, Berta Martín-López, José A. González and Carlos Montes
Department of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain
Mediterranean ecosystems provide a wide range of services that have been largely studied and
economically valuated. Wetlands and forests, in particular, have received special attention in the
ecosystem services economic valuation framework since the early ‘80s. The need to include economic
criteria in the conservation policy decision-making process is behind the spread of economic valuation
studies. However the accuracy and suitability of assigning economic values to ecosystem services is
being widely debated. The purpose of this study is to identify and compare methodological and ecological
factors influencing the economic value of ecosystem services in two of the most commonly valuated
ecosystem types of the Mediterranean basin: wetlands and forests.
More than 120 economic valuation studies, not only from well-known databases but also from grey
literature, have been quantitatively analyzed using a meta-analysis approach. First, we described the
distribution of studies by ecosystem type, ecosystem services valuated, geographic area, publication
type, language, main purpose, and time, providing a comprehensive overview of ecosystem services
valuation in the Mediterranean basin. Second, the relationships between some methodological variables
and the resulting economic values were analyzed. Finally, we characterized the differences in the
economic value attributed to ecosystem services provided by Mediterranean wetlands and forests.
Our results reveal some gaps in the existing body of valuation studies and suggest future research
directions. A wide range of economic values was found among the reviewed literature. Several factors
influenced valuation, particularly the geographic location of the study, the ecosystem services valuated
and the methodology used. Differences in methodologies used and resulting economic values were also
found between wetlands and forests.
We conclude that several methodological, ecological and socioeconomic factors highly influence the
economic values assigned to Mediterranean wetlands and forests. Finally, suggestions are made for
caution in using the results of economic valuation studies for benefit transfer and different conservation
policies such as payments for ecosystem services.
Contact Information: Elisa Oteros-Rozas, Socio-ecological Systems Laboratory, Departament of Ecology, Universidad Autónoma de
Madrid, Edificio de Biología - Facultad de Ciencias, C/ Darwin, nº 2, 28049 Cantoblanco (Madrid), Spain, Phone: +34 91 497 8008,
Fax: +34 91 497 8001, Email: [email protected]
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