Socioeconomic evaluation and ecosystem services in the Salinas y Arenales Regional Park of San Pedro del Pinatar (Murcia, SE Spain)

Abstract

This protected space offers 32 ecosystem services and different economic activities are carried out. With the aim of identifying the preferences and economic valuation of the agents who carry out their activity and/or are involved in its conservation, 6 survey models were developed in two blocks, one with specific questions for each type of agent and another with questions identical, where the most relevant ecosystem services can be classified from 1 to 5 and give an economic value. 2,364 respondents participated, 62.3% are unaware of the concept of ecosystem service and 25.3% would be willing to pay €5 to access the Park. The ecosystem service considered most important was the “maintenance of habitats where all species live”, of which 28.1% would make a contribution of €7.5/year for its conservation. In conclusion, this work contributes to knowing what value stakeholders give to the services offered by ecosystems.