Journal of Arid Regions Geographic Studies

Journal of Arid Regions Geographic Studies

Spatial estimating the economic value of habitat services in arid regions using opportunity cost

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Fatemeh Jahanishakib 1
Tahere Ardakani 2
1 Department of Environmental sciense, Faculty of natural resources, University of Birjand, Birjand, Iran.
2 Department Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ardakan ‎University, Ardakan, Iran
10.22034/jargs.2023.423900.1070
Abstract
Aim: Valuing goods, functions, and ecosystem services is necessary. Not considering their long-term value has unfavorable consequences for society.
Material & Method: In this research, the economic valuation of habitat services use the opportunity cost approach, including market-based techniques. An opportunity cost is the cost of passing up one opportunity for another. Data related to annual development incomes (GDP), such as industry, mining, and settlements, were extracted from statistical reports. Using the habitat quality index, we calculated the GDPR. To estimate the economic value of habitat services, habitat quality maps and spatial statistical analyses were used.
Findings: In South Khorasan province, habitat services were worth 544,465.16 billion rials in 2020. LUT Desert has the highest total value within ecological boundaries or subbasins, while Lut Desert (3.32) ranks third among the four subbasins in terms of economic value. In part, this is due to the vast expanse of the Lut Desert and its nonhomogeneous conditions. The value of habitat ecosystem services per hectare in the province was estimated to be around 36 million rials.
Conclusion: The research findings indicate valuable areas in the northeast with a favourable climate and higher rainfall than the rest of the province. However, the western half of the central region in South Khorasan province has similar conditions but is more arid. Biodiversity protection planners must consider the impact of mining activities in this area.
Innovation: Shifting the economic valuation approach towards spatial analysis methods (space-based), which can provide landscape managers with a more powerful tool for making informed and wise decisions. The quantitative and spatial findings from this research are crucial for evaluating environmental impacts, creating development plans, and estimating damages during decision-making processes.
Keywords
Economic valuation
Biodiversity
Spatial statistics
Ecosystem services
South Khorasan province

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 05 November 2023
  • Revise Date 13 December 2023
  • Accept Date 18 December 2023
  • Publish Date 01 August 2024