EVALUACIÓN DEL SERVICIO AMBIENTAL HÍDRICO EN LA CUENCA DEL RÍO TEMPISQUE (COSTA RICA) Y SU APLICACIÓN AL AJUSTE DE TARIFAS

Abstract

The study addressed the evaluation of environmental water service by building an analytical model that combines biophysical and economic aspects. In the biophysical case, the hydric budget was determined and in the economic analysis, three concepts ofvalue were used: value of capture, value of restoration and value of water as a production input. These values guide the possibilities of a process of environmental adjustment in rates, and thus eliminate the environmental subsidy that has existed until now. With the environmental setting of fees, it is intended to generate financial resources to promote the conservation and restoration of ecosystems through the mechanism of payment for Hydric environmental services, to promote water conservation and optimum management of water in the region, so that it goes forward towards integrated water resources management. The development of a model is fundamental.