Estimating the Economic Value of Environmental Benefits Of Rangelands in Iran (Case Study: Rangeland Ecosystem of Kiasar National Park)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari

2 Associate Prof., Department of Economic, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari

3 Associate Prof., Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari

Abstract

Rangelands are one of the most important fields of environment sustainable development and ecological phenomena that his valuation functions and services is effective step in the prevention of his destruction. In this study, 14 cases of ecosystem services rangeland ecosystem of Kiasar national park in north of Iran was considered from an economic perspective and various approaches have been evaluated. In this study direct market valuation methods, transfer of benefits, methods based on cost, replacement cost approach in order to determine the value of non-wood products, recreational and conservation values, soil and water conservation value functions, the functions of regulating gas and construction of soil was used. The results of the study showed that the economic total value of rangeland ecosystem national park Kiasar in 1393 has been estimated 64/60 billion Rial and his per hectare value became 31/26 billion Rial. In this study, the functions of water conservation, soil conservation, gas regulation, construction of soil, productivity, recreation and ecosystem conservation forest national park Kiasar were estimated 46/28, 0/95, 9/98, 0/072, 3/14, 0/04 and 4/12 billion Rials respectively. Therefore, water conservation functions, regulate gas and productivity respectively 71/66, 15/46 and 4/85 percent have been allocated the largest share of the economic total value of rangeland ecosystem Kiasar national and construction of soil functions with 0/072 percent and recreation function to 0/04 percent has been allocated the least share of the economic total value of rangeland ecosystem Kiasar national park.

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