A study revealed that seven Costa Rican wetlands generate more than $3 billion for the country annually, due to the eco-systemic services they provide (earning from food, water, fiber, wood, fuel, ecotourism, raw materials and others.)
This is a first approximation to the economic value of eco-systemic services provided by the country’s wetlands, on which thousands of families depend,”
explained Miriam Miranda, SINAC-UNDP-GEF Wetlands Project Coordinator.
The study was prepared by the International Center for Economic Policy for Sustainable Development of the National University for the Wetlands Project of the National System of Conservation Areas.
The wetlands included in the study are:
• Northeastern Caribbean Wetland (Tortuguero National Park, Barra del Colorado and North Border Corridor)
• Las Baulas Marine Park
• Gandoca-Manzanillo Wetlands
• Caño Negro
• Maquenque
• Terraba-Sierpe
• Wetland Palo Verde.
Only the Northeastern Caribbean Wetlands (Tortuguero, Barra del Colorado, and the North Border Corridor) comprise 75,000 hectares and the average value of their ecosystem services exceeds $ 1,137 million per year.
The Maquenque Mixed National Wildlife Refuge generates services with an average value of $800 million per year and the Palo Verde Wetland produces an average of $654 million per year.
Subsequently, the Térraba-Sierpe National Wetland in Osa reported earnings of $380 million, Caño Negro $133 million and Gandoca-Manzanillo $90 million per year.
The Marine Park Las Baulas produces eco-systemic services with a value of $19 million annually.
This first study on the monetary value of services provided by wetland ecosystems in Costa Rica reaffirms the importance of these protected areas for the country,”
said Olman Segura, Researcher at CINPE that led the consulting team that performed the assessment.