Santos_etal2001_The value of the ecological station of jataí's ecosystem services and natural capital

8/2/2019 Santos_etal2001_The value of the ecological station of jata's ecosystem services and natural capital

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THE VALUE OF THE ECOLOGICAL STATION OF JATAS ECOSYSTEM SERVICES 171

THE VALUE OF THE ECOLOGICAL STATION OF JATAS

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND NATURAL CAPITALSANTOS, J. E.,1 NOGUEIRA, F.,2 PIRES, J. S. R.,1 OBARA, A. T.1 and

PIRES, A. M. Z. C. R.11PPG-ERN, UFSCar, Via Washington Luiz, km 235, C.P. 676, CEP 13565-905, So Carlos, SP, Brazil

2Departamento de Ecologia, UFMT, Av. Fernando Corra da Costa s/n, CEP 78060-900, Cuiab, MT, Brazil

Correspondence to: Jos Eduardo dos Santos, PPG-ERN, UFSCar, Via Washington Luiz, km 235, C.P. 676,CEP 13565-905, So Carlos, SP, Brazil, e-mail: [email protected]

Received November 16, 1999 Accepted May 18, 2000 Distributed May 31, 2001

(With 5 figures)

ABSTRACT

The capacity of a given natural ecosystem to provide certain goods and services that satisfy humanneeds depends on its environmental characteristics (natural processes and components). It was describedthe availability of these goods and services (environmental functions) controlled and sustained by eco-logical processes operating in Ecological Station of Jata (Luiz Antnio, SP). The environmentalfunctions identified were grouped in four main categories. To make environmental values an integratedfactor in planning and decision making it was assessed their socio-economic importance in qualitativeterms and, if possible their monetary value. The combined potential annual return from identified func-tions of Ecological Station of Jata is at least US$ 708.83/ha/year. In comparison to calculations madefor other natural ecosystems this is a rather moderate estimate. The Ecological Station of Jata is poorlyprotected and managed, it too is still threatened by human activity (agriculture) and many developmentplans. Although present day market economics do not recognize the monetary value of most environ-mental functions, such calculations do provide a revealing insight into the great socio-economic im-

portance of Ecological Station of Jata. More awareness of these values may provide an importantincentive for their preservation and sustainable use.

Key words: ecosystem services, environmental functions, natural capital, natural conservation area.

RESUMO

O valor dos servios dos ecossistemas e do capital natural daEstao Ecolgica de Jata

A capacidade de um determinado ecossistema natural proporcionar bens e servios que satisfaam asnecessidades humanas depende de suas caractersticas ambientais (processos e componentes naturais).Foi descrita a disponibilidade desses bens e servios (funes ambientais), controlados e mantidos pelos

processos ecolgicos operantes na Estao Ecolgica de Jata (Luiz Antnio, SP). As funesambientais identificadas foram agrupadas em quatro categorias. Foi determinado o valor scio-eco-nmico das funes ambientais, em termos quali e quantitativos, quando possvel, na perspectiva deintegrar os valores ambientais nos processos de planejamento e tomada de deciso. O retorno scio-econmico anual para as funes ambientais identificadas da Estao Ecolgica de Jata de aproxi-madamente US$ 708,83/ha/ano. Em comparao com estimativas realizadas para outros ecossistemasnaturais, esse valor bastante moderado. A Estao Ecolgica de Jata demonstra ser pouco protegida,com sua manuteno comprometida por atividades humanas (agricultura) e muitos planos de desen-volvimento. Embora o mercado econmico no reconhea o valor monetrio da maioria das funesambientais, essas estimativas no revelam a grandeza da importncia scio-econmica da Estao


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172 SANTOS, J. E. et al.

Ecolgica de Jata. Um interesse maior com esses valores pode proporcionar um incentivo importantepara sua preservao e uso sustentado.

Palavras-chave : servios dos ecossistemas, funes ambientais, capital natural, rea de conservaonatural.

INTRODUCTION

The need of maintenance of the holistic cha-racteristics and the high degree of interactionsamong and inside biotic compartments have allowedthe formulation of several approaches toensure environmental quality and ecosystem mana-gement (Santos et al., 1995). These approachesincorporate the concept of an operating system,that needs to be manipulated as a whole. However,current day limitations to evaluate socio-economicimplications and the effects of human activities inthe structure and function of ecosystems (Risser,1985), determine that benefits of the ecosystemsto the society are much more related to theirstructural aspects than the functional one (Westman,1977).

The benefits provided by ecosystems arerelated to the concept of environmental functions,or to the capacity of the ecosystems to provide

goods and services that satisfy, directly or indirectly,human needs (Costanza et al., 1997). Thesefunctions were grouped in four main categories:Regulation, Carrier, Production and InformationFunctions (De Groot, 1992). This classificationorder used is taken from an environmental pers-pective, in wich case maintenance of essentialecological processes (regulation functions) andsuitable living space (carrier functions) provide thepreconditions for production and informationfunctions.

The environmental effects of certain human

activities or interventions in a given area, causechanges or risks associated on environmental func-tions, leading to certain socio-economic and culturaleffects. These considerations can be appliedconsecutively in one integrated environmentalassessment procedure (Fig. 1), to determine themultiple interactions between human activities andenvironmental functions. The loss of functionsproduce irreversible damages to the ecosystems(Ehrlich & Mooney, 1983), being necessary theapplication of energy and money to recuperate,

mitigate or substitute the affected functions, or thelife quality can be threaten.

In spite of the growing knowledge about theimportance of natural ecosystems to human welfare,it seems difficult for man to translate this know-ledge to into actions to implement the concept ofsustainable development (Costanza, 1994; De Groot,1995). An important obstacle is the developmentof alternative evaluation techniques, capable togenerate information to supply methods of en-vironmental evaluation (Nogueira, 1995; Grassoet al., 1995; Obara et al., 1999).

The market prices are considered the back-ground of economic evaluation techniques of environ-mental services (Dixon & Sherman, 1990; Pearce &Turner, 1990). When the market doesnt exist, theinstrument proposed to evaluation refers to the useof the shadow prices. It is necessary to create amarket for them, using the contingent valuationmethods (Grasso et al., 1995; Obara etal., 1999).

In order to obtain a clear insight for a completeand systematic analysis of the most relevant functionsinterrelations between man and a natural ecosystem(Ecological Station of Jata, Luiz Antnio, SP), toensure environmental values and constraints anintegrated factor in planning and decision-making itwas qualified and quantified the socio-economicimportance and, if possible the monetary value of theenvironmental functions provided by Ecological Stationof Jata. The estimated annual return of these functionscan provide information in such manner that both publicinvolved and the decision makers are able to understand

the great socio-economic importance of the naturalarea in question and, more awareness about harmfulhuman activities accomplished in theirs surroundings.

Site characterization

The Ecological Station of Jata Conde Joa-quim Augusto do Vale has an area of 4,532.18ha,and it is located in the municipal district ofLuiz Antnio, SP (Fig. 2) among 2133 to 2137of south latitude and 4745 to 4757 of longitudewest, with an altitude of 600 m (So Paulo, 1985).


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The current day area of Ecological Station ofJata, locally called Jata Farm until the end of the50s, belonged to an extinct railroad company. Thecontinuous supply of wood for fences, forconstruction of the railroad and as fuel for ma-

chines, caused the decrease of natural vegetation,with the development of current day secondaryforest, with a quite different species compositionfrom original community (Toledo Filho, 1984). Thewood was also explored for civil construction(houses, school etc.), and for construction ofcanoes and furniture. The wood species used toattend these proposals were:Aspidospermum pero-ba, Tabebuia sp.,Miroxilum peruiferum, Vernoniasp.,Anadenanthera sp. andXilopia sp. Other spe-cies were used as food (Euterpe edulis), and someone as medicinal ends. At that time there were still

a pottery factory inside Jata Farm area, utilisingthe clay from a natural lake (Sap Lake), as wellas several cultivation areas (rice, corn, potato) andpastures. Hunting either for sport or for food werevery common activities accomplished by inhabitantsof municipal district area.

In 1959 the Forest Institute of State of SoPaulo acquired the area, and changed the name toExperimental Station of Luiz Antnio. Only on the80s, it was legally created the Ecological Stationof Jata (Decree of Law 18,997 / June 15, 1982),with the concern of preserving remaining of Cer-

rado vegetation and Riparian forest. EcologicalStation of Jata, with an area of 4,532.18ha, wasthen separated from the Experimental Station ofLuiz Antnio, with an area of 6,240 ha, and it isconserved until the current days.

The physical limits of Ecological Station ofJata are the Experimental Station of Luiz Antnioat the East border; Boa Sorte Stream and sugar canemonocultive (Capo da Cruz Farm) at the North-Northeast border; pasture and agriculturalcultivation areas (Amrica Farm) at the at theNorth-Northwest border; Cafund Stream and pri-vate properties with different sizes at the South-Southeast border; and the Mogi-Guau River at theSouth-Southwest border (Jesus, 1993).

The climatic conditions are defined by twodifferent periods, a rainy one with higher tem-

peratures and precipitation levels (from Novemberto April) and a dry one, with lower temperaturesand precipitation levels (from May to October)(Cavalheiro et al., 1990). The monthly precipitationaverage during the last 16 years was 128 mm, andduring the period between 1972 and 1996 the higherand the lower temperature were 38,1 and0,6C,respectively.

The relief of area is defined by two great units,the Basaltic Cuestas and the Western Plateau. Mostof soils are represented by red-darkness Latossolsand deep quartz sands (Pires, 1995).

Environmental functions (genetic resources,nature conservation, erosion prevention,

maintenance of biodiversity, breeding andhabitat migration, value to employment etc.)

A B

CEnvironmentalcharacteristics of theEcological Station of

Jata

Environmental; impacts andassociated risks (soil erosion,

water quality degradation,habitat fragmentation, loss ofbiodiversity, invasive species,poaching, agrotoxic and fire

uses etc.)

1*

2*

Human

needs

Fig. 1 Simplified man-environment model applied to environmental functions analysis of Ecological Station of Jata. A)Analysis of environmental functions (identification of goods and services provided by natural area); B) evaluation of socio-economic functions (identification and assessment of socio-economic effects resulting from the utilization of goods and services,as well as their economic evaluation); C) environmental impact assessment (analysis of socio-economic and cultural effectscaused by changes in environmental functions). * Environmental functions that satisfy direct (1) and indirectly (2) the humanneeds.


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In Mogi-Guau River floodplains hydromor-phyc soils prevails, occasionally associated tocambissols (Lorandi et al., 1990).

Ecological Stations category of conservationarea is one of the most restricted and also the onethat guarantees better protection for biodiversityand integrity of ecosystems included in it. TheExperimental Station of Luiz Antnio is an area ofpublic domain, categorized as a Permanent Pre-

servation Area and considered as a Unit of Pro-duction (vegetal production). The ExperimentalStation of Luiz Antnio includes plantations ofPinus and Eucalyptus, that provide wood for in-dustrial and commercial use and resin extraction.

Three basic types of ecosystems are charac-terized on Ecological Station of Jata: the aquaticones, represented by the Mogi-Guau River, streams,artificial reservoir and the oxbow lakes; the floodedterrestrial areas and, the terrestrial ecosystemsrepresented by native vegetation and the semi-deciduous latifoliated forest and, by exotic species

plantations, mainly Pinus and Eucalyptus (Ballesteret al., 1995).

The Ecological Station of Jata shows fivebasic types of soil use (Fig. 3), being native vege-tation the most important unit, with about of 83.6%of total area.

The other uses correspond to reforestationofPinus and Eucalyptus, agriculture, non identifiedareas and aquatic ecosystems. Watershed

ecosystem analysis applied to Ecological Stationof Jata showed four watersheds (Fig. 3) separatefrom each other topographically by hillslopes andridges. The Boa Sorte watershed (BS), occupiedby native vegetation, represents the more preservedwatershed, while Beija-Flor watershed (BJ), withlarge proportion area with no conservative uses,shows that 30% of its surface area needs restora-tionmeasures (Pires et al., 1998a). The MainFlooded Area (AP) watershed includes the wholeof oxbow-lakes and the main part of floodplain river(Fig. 3).

So PauloState

52 50 48 46W

24S

22

20

Brazil

EcologicalStationof Jata

ExperimentalStation of

Luiz Antnio

Luiz AntnioCity

Fig. 2 Localization of Ecological Station of Jata.


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The surrounding area of Ecological Stationof Jata belongs to the municipal district of Luiz

Antnio, and it is occupied by basic production(primary sector) activities like technical agriculture,corresponding to 40,763.30 ha or 67.93% of the totalmunicipal district area (Fig. 4). It includes sugar-cane cultivation (44.27%); reforestation areas(9.95%); citrus cultivation (4.39%); pasture (6.93%)and, other types of use (2.39%) including cultivation,urban and industrial land use. Natural area totalizing32.06% of the remaining area, includes the Riparianforest, flooded area, aquatic ecosystems, hill sideand hill top vegetation and mainly the Cerradovegetation (19.83%), including Ecological Stationof Jata (Pires et al., 1998b). Secondary sector isrepresented by two industries: Votorantin Celluloseand Paper (Celpav) and alcohol and sugar plants.Other agro-industries influence the landscape soiluse in the municipal district, especially the alcoholand sugar plants located in neighbouring municipaldistricts. The tertiary sector is quite inexpressive,with poor commercial facilities and essential healthservices.

Several environmental impacts (stream degra-dation; soil erosion; riparian forest degradation;

agrotoxic and fire use; invasive species; poaching;habitat fragmentation and, loss of biodiversity)

resulting from agricultural, industrial and urbanlandscape soil use (Pires & Santos, 1996) are threa-tens the environmental quality and conservation ofEcological Station of Jata (Fig. 5). There are alsothe effects of organic and industrial loads (paperindustry, urban wastes, sugar and alcohol plants,sand mining etc.) from about 39 municipal districtsin Mogi-Guau River watershed (Cetesb, 1991).Sand mining activity can affect also water qualityand fluvial geomorphology of Mogi-Guau Riverfloodplain (Pinto, 1992).

At the Experimental Station live about 40people, between the employees and their families.They work in the wood cultivation (Pinus andEucalyptus) and on fiscalization of Ecological Stationof Jata. Beehives are installed for honey productionwhen Eucalyptus are flowering, and a percentileof the profits is given to administration of EcologicalStation of Jata. The resin from the pine trees isalso explored, and a percentile at about 30% of theprofits also stays with the administration. In thehoney and resin exploration there are about 12employees.

Fig. 3 Main types of landscape soil use and occupation of the Ecological Station of Jata.

N

0

BS

BJ

AP

2132'30"S+4748'45"W Ecological Station of

Jata limits andwatersheds

Watersheds areas:BS Boa Sorte StreamAP Watersheds Principal AreaCF Cafund StreamBJ Beija-Flor Stream

Mogi-Guau River

Streams

Soil use and occupation

Cerrado

Eucalyptus

Pinus

Culture

Reservoir

Lakes

CF

2137'30"S+4745'00"W

SCALE

1,000 m


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0 3 km

UTM197 km E

7,637 km N

Scale

N

UTM

231 km E7,596 km N

Natural vegetation Reforestation

Sugar cane moncultive

Citrus cultivation

Pasture

Urban andinsdustrial areas

Roads

So PauloState

52 50 48 46W

24S

22

20

Luiz Antnio City

Fig. 4 Thematic maps with main types of soil use obtained from LANDSAT TM 5 image of the study area.


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CRA:Riparian forestdegradation

CRAstream, dregradation risk

by industrial input

CRAunstable zone

(landslides)

CRA streamcontamination risk

CRA streamdegradation risk

CRAhabitatfragmentationand loss ofbiodiversity

CRAsoil erosion

CRAstream degradation riskby industrial input

CRA (Natural areas)

agrotoxic input,invasive species,fire,poaching.

N

Scale

0 3 km

Fig. 5 Map of the Critical Risk Areas (CRA) with respectives environmental risks and impacts observed in the study area.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Socio-economic evaluation of environmental

functions

The assessing of environmental functions ofEcological Station of Jata must be realized by thefact that most environmental characteristicsinfluence more than one function. Each functionwas considered the result of the interactionsbetween dynamic and evolving process and

components of the ecological sub-systems includedin the natural conservation area. The availabilityof environmental functions depends on the main-tenance of the integrity of the entire natural areawich provide them.

When assessed sustainable use levels ofEcological Station of Jata environmental functionsit was considered a distinction between bioticversus abiotic and renewable versus non-renewablefunctions. Environmental functions that cannot beused in a sustainable manner (e.g. the conversionof Ecological Station of Jata for permanent human

construction) are left out of this research. Anotherimportant restriction in evaluation the functions ofEcological Station of Jata is the fact that someregulation functions are of such a scale and naturethat is practically impossible to quantify the contri-bution of Ecological Station of Jata to such afunction. However, the cumulative contribution ofsub-systems included on the Ecological Station ofJata is essential for the maintenance of the regulationfunctions. The loss of biodiversity or the climatic

regulation conditions are the result of the cumulativeeffect of many small-scale land use decisionsobserved in the Luiz Antnio landscape municipaldistrict (Fig. 4).

It was made a general description of functionsthat can be attributed to Ecological Station of Jata.For each function, a brief introduction of the ecolo-gical importance was given. When functions thatcannot be used in a sustainable manner, and/or forwich quantification is difficult, it seemed usefulto include some information on socio-economicqualitative value.


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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Regulation Functions

Climatic regulation: The landscape diversityrelated to different types of ecosystems (Piresetal., 1998a) included on Ecological Station of Jata(Fig. 3) and the many land uses intervention (Pireset al., 1998b) on the surrounding area (Fig. 4), hasa differential effect on micro-climatic conditions,influencing hydrological conditions (evaporationand rainfall), radiation balance and temperaturefluctuations. There are evidences of climatic dete-rioration in local scale caused by deforestation andagricultural activities in surrounding of natural

conservation area. Dry streams were also verified,as a consequence of Riparian vegetated strips con-verted to sugar cane mono culture (Pires & Santos,1996). The deforestation causes changes in albedo,wich rises 10%-16% when tropical moist forestare converted to arable land (De Groot, 1992).Changes in albedo thus influences the heat balancein the deforested area, wich not only changes localclimatic conditions but wich also has possibleconsequences for the regional climate. Mainly, whenthe deforested area is substantially large as observedin Luiz Antnio municipal district (Fig. 4) witharound 67% of municipal district total area occupiedby agricultural activities, reforestation and pasture(Pires et al., 1998b).

Watershed protection and soil erosion preven-tion: The natural vegetation covering four water-shed of Ecological Station of Jata (Fig. 3) regulatesthe quality and quantity of water leaving those areas,providing also a control effect on extreme waterlevels further downhill in the catchment area ofMogi-Guau River. This vegetation reduces floodsduring the rainy season and prevents water shortageduring the dry season. Natural vegetation, especially

on Mogi-Guau River and tributaries, also reducesrunoff allowing more water to infiltrate into the soilthus feeding underground water reservoir, river andlakes. Riparian vegetated buffer strips can modify,incorporate, dilute or concentrate substances andsediment input before they enter in oxbow lakes(Albuquerque & Mozeto, 1997), influencing thestructure of aquatic community and affectingfunctional process in the Mogi-Guau River(Simes-Filho, 1993). Water catchment and erosion

prevention by the natural vegetation is a functionwith considerable socio-economic importance to

prevent damage to the pollution and destruction offreshwater biota, and the reduction of the life spanof waterways.

Thibodeau & Ostro (1981) calculated in US$5,000.00/ha/year the shadow price for the floodprevention function provided for the flooded areas,representing the damage that would happen if thearea went dry.

As an indication of the monetary valueinvolved for the flood prevention at the EcologicalStation of Jata it was considered as a minimumestimate a figure of US$ 500.00/ha/year, being 10%

of the value calculated by Thibodeau & Ostro (op.cit.) (Table 1).Intensive permanent cultivation of sugar cane

and citrus (Pires & Santos, 1996; Pires et al.,1998b) with larger inputs of fertilizer and pesticidesin the surrounding area of Ecological Station of Jata,associated with the removal of natural vegetationhad been increased the soil erosion process and theloss of habitat resulting from fragmentation of theoriginal landscape occupation (Fig. 5).

In case of a hypothetical agricultural use (sugarcane monoculture) of terrestrial area (3,150ha) ofEcological Station of Jata, soil erosion caused byrunoff carries 928,570 t/year of soil into Mogi-Guau River, tributaries and oxbow lakes. Theseeffects leading to extra costs of US$ 220,000.00for dredging operations (Margarido & Santos,1996). It means that the potential socio-economicvalue of prevention of soil erosion and sedimentcontrol by maintaining natural vegetation inEcological Station of Jata is US$ 69.84/ha/year.In spite of estimate procedure represent only ahypothetical situation, it is possible to show thateconomic costs are quite elevated to mitigate justone of externalities that come from agricultural

activities.Considering that just 10% of the Mogi-Guau

River discharge is demanded by domestic drink-water of Luiz Antnio city, and that soil erosiondetermines an increase in turbid conditions of water(at least in 10 units), the increment in economiccosts for treating water quality in relation to annualaluminium sulphate used, will be about of US$41,000.00 (Margarido & Santos, op. cit.), meaninga socio-economic value of US$ 13.01/ha/year.


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Types of values

Environmental functions Conservationvalue

Existencevalue

Socialvalues(1)

Consumptiveuse value

Productiveuse value

Value toemployment

Regulation functions > 617.88 ++ ++

1. Climatic regulation ++ + *

2. Flood prevention 500.00 + *

3. Soil erosion prevention 83.23(2)

*

4. Bioenergetic fixation ++ + *

5. Storage and recycling of:

organic matter, ++ + *

nutrients and 13.65(2)

+ *

industrial & domestic wastes ++ +

6. Biological control 5.70(3) ++ ++ *

7. Maintenance of migration

and nursery habitats

++ ++ ++ *

8. Maintenance of biodiversity ++ ++ ++ *

Carrier functions 3.70 3.00 2.00 2.10 > 9.56

9. Recreation 2.10 +

10. Nature protection 3.70 3.00 2.00 * 9.56Production functions + + ++ +

11. Genetic resources + + +

12. Medicinal resources + + ++ +

13. Raw material for

construction and handmade

works

+ +

Information functions ++ ++ > 21.46 64.40

14. Aesthetic and historic ++ ++ +

15. Scientific and educational + 21.46 64.40

TOTAL ANNUAL VALUE(>> 708.83)

>> 606.31 > 3.00 > 2.00 ++ >> 23.56 >> 73,96

(*) These functions contribute to economic productivity, either directly or indirectly, but no market or shadow price couldbe determined due to lack of information.

(1) Social values: Importance of environmental functions to human health and the option value placed on a safe future.

(2) This function applies to the terrestrial area only (3,150 ha).

(3) This function applies to 6,998 ha of sugar cane culture (44,27% of the total municipal district area).

TABLE 1

Socio-economic values of the environmental functions of the Ecological Station of Jata (based onmaximum sustainable use levels). Values are expressed qualitatively (++) or in US$/ha/year. Total

surface area of the Ecological Station of Jata: 4,532.18 ha.


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The hypothetical agricultural use of Ecolo-gical Station of Jata demonstrates that annually

would be lost through soil erosion process anamount of nutrients equivalent to US$ 1,300.00(Margarido & Santos, op. cit.), or US$ 0.41/ha/year.The costs of prevention of soil nutrient loss by soilerosion was not expressive, due to the lowconcentrations in the soils of natural conservationarea.

The total economic costs of US$ 262,300.00,equivalent to US$ 83.26/ha/year (Table 1), repre-sents the potential socio-economic value for soilerosion prevention provided naturally by EcologicalStation of Jata. This total value encompasses the

annual cost of dredging, the treatment of waterquality and the loss of soil nutrients. Representsa convincing economic argument to maintenanceof natural conservation area.

Bioenergetic fixation: The total amount of solarenergy wich can be fixed by an ecosystem in a giventime period is the basis of almost all other functionsperformed by natural ecosystems. This functionmay be considered as the life support value of anatural ecosystem (Gosselink et al., 1974). About80% of total area of Ecological Station of Jata iscovered by natural forest (Fig. 3), absorbing andtransforming great amount of solar radiationthrough photosynthesis into biomass vegetation.By using this overall life support value is possibleto give an indication of the potential value of otherregulation functions combined without having tospecify how the available energy is divided intodifferent uses and functions. Until now, howeverthere is no information available about productioncapacity (biomass production) of Ecological Stationof Jata. This method, however is rather contro-versial, and is not included in the sum total ofmonetary values wich are calculated for separated

functions.

Storage and recycling of organic matter, nu-trients and industrial and domestic wastes:Ecological Station of Jata contributes in variousways to the storage and recycling of the organicmatter produced in aquatic, flooded and terrestrialsystems included on local area. In general, aquaticand flooded areas on Ecological Station of Jata arebetter able to decompose large amounts of organicmatter with respect to flood pulse, and without

evidences of eutrophication process. Some idea ofintense metabolic activity that accompanies organic

matter degraded is obtained by observation of theincrease temperature in the substrate and watercolumn of oxbow lakes (Ballester, 1994; Camargo& Esteves, 1995; Nogueira et al., 1996;Albuquerque & Mozeto, 1997), and also the highpopulations of micro-organisms (Freitas, 1989).

The production and decomposition of differentlitter fractions of riparian forest, as well as thequantification of chemical elements have demons-trated nutrients storage and liberation capacity fromforest biomass to the soil compartment, oxbowlakes and floodplain on natural area. The litter

production is relatively high (12 tonnes/ha/year),when compared to the production of temperate andtropical forests. The litter needs around one year(t

50%) to decompose. Likewise the time for upland

forests from the So Paulo State. Decompositionspeed associated to flood pulse favours accumu-lation of high amount of organic matter in thesurface soil (Pinto, 1992).

The most important contribution of floodedareas is the removal and recycling of inorganicnutrients (e.g. nitrogen and phosphate) during rainyseason when the waters of the Mogi-Guau Riveroverflowed to the wetland. When nutrient rich waterenter on flooded area, nitrogen and phosphate areeffectively trapped and assimilated in the productivebiological systems (e.g. aquatic macrophytes andphytoplankton of oxbow lakes and riparian vegetatedstrips) (Nogueira et al., 1996; Albuquerque &Mozeto, 1997).

The role of the oxbow lakes as sinks or assources of nutrients is an open question. The studyof an oxbow lake related to the Mogi-Guau River(Camargo & Esteves, 1995), showed that the sys-tem works as a source of nitrogen and as a phos-phorus sink. However, this oxbow lake stands out

of the Ecological Station of Jata limits, in a de-graded landscape resulting from different types ofland use, such as intense deforestation, pasture andagricultural activities. However, nitrogen andphosphorus dynamic cycles in Inferno Lake, insidethe Ecological Station of Jata, evidenced an in-crease of nutrient concentration during rainy season(Nogueira et al., 1996). It seems that oxbow lakeworks as a sink compartment, since nutrients werequickly assimilated by the producers. The fixationof nitrogen by terrestrial ecosystem (3,150 ha) on


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Ecological Station of Jata was utilised as aparameter of the (economic) importance of natural

recycling mechanism. According fertilisers marketprice biological nitrogen fixation represent an annualvalue of about US$ 43,000.00 (Margarido, 1995)or US$ 13.65/ha/year (Table 1). Biological nitrogenfixation was underestimated because diazotrophicbacteria activity that occur associated to arboreallegumes was not considered. Studies accomplishedin Anadenanthera sp. have been evidencing theimportance of these arboreal species in terms ofnitrogen supplying for similar cerrado vegetationareas (Carmo, 1994).

To a limited extent, Ecological Station of Jata

is able yet to maintain a healthy environment bystoring and recycling certain amounts of organicand inorganic human waste. However, due to manslandscape use as a free dumpsite, is becoming clearlyvisible many environmental problems on EcologicalStation of Jatas surrounding (Fig. 5), such as soilerosion, lakes and streams water quality degradation,habitat fragmentation, and problems related topollution (e.g. pesticides, heavy metal andagrochemical) (Pires & Santos, 1996), withrecycling mechanisms seriously threatened.

Heavy metals concentration in sediments ofoxbow lakes demonstrate no contamination level,with lower values than those found in dams andfluvial systems moderately polluted. However,concentrations of chromium in E. azurea and intwo fish species (S. nasutus andH. malabaricum)suggest that this metal should be better investigated(Lima, 1990).

Chlorine pesticide in water column of oxbowlakes show value around 0.001 ppm, above the leveladmitted by EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)for preservation of aquatic organisms (Obara,1992). This value is resulting from effects ofagricultural activities in water quality of aquatic

ecosystem of the Ecological Station of Jata.High level of faecal coliforme found in Diogo

Lake is resulting from influence of its tributaryCafund Stream, that has their headwater in soiloccupied by agricultural activity (Barroso, 1994).

Biological control: Species in natural ecosystemshave developed complex interspecific interactions(food chains, predator-prey and parasite-hostrelationship etc.), as a result of the evolutionaryprocess. Many of these interactions are not only

important in maintenance the biological balancewithin ecosystems. They can also provide benefit

to man, especially for pest control and pollinationof crops. Natural ecosystem control more than95% of all potential pests of crops and carriers ofdisease to human beings (Ehrlich, 1985). At thesame time it must be noted that natural ecosystemsalso are the sources of these harmful specieswhereby man usually is the trigger that turns thesespecies into pests by upsetting the natural balance(De Groot, 1992).

By maintaining the Ecological Station of Jatain agricultural area of Luiz Antnio municipal district(Fig. 4) a certain biological balance can be

maintained wich helps reduce damage caused bypests of crops. Natural ecosystems included onEcological Station of Jata bordered by sugar-caneculture, can have a regulating influence on theoutbreak of pests in this neighbouring crop sincethey provide shelter to predators wich feed onDiatraea saccharalis wich is potencially harmfulto the sugar-cane cultive. A decrease around 0,8%in intensity occurrence ofDiatraea saccharalis insugar-cane culture (Margarido & Castilho, 1988),can determine a monetary gain increase, of aboutUS$ 5.70/ha/year (Table 1), for 6,998ha of sugar-cane productivity on Ecological Station of Jatassurrounding cultivation area. An apparent conflictof socio-economic value carried out by biologicalpest control function refers to environmentalperception developed by the surrounding land-owners of Ecological Station of Jata, that considerthis natural area the source of pests species of crop(Santos et al., 1996).

Maintenance of migration and nursery habitats:Most animals, both resident and migratory usedifferent habitats on Ecological Station of Jatawithin their home-range for breeding, feeding and

resting. Because of the border-position betweennatural and cultural areas, cerrado vegetation pro-vides temporary habitats to many species (Talamoniet al., 1994). Some conspicuous animal movementsare those of birds and mammals, since EcologicalStation of Jata provides food and shelter to thoseanimals wich spend only part of their life cycle inthis natural area. The actual number of birdsdepending on this natural area is still much higherbecause there is a continuous flow of birds throughEcological Station of Jata. However, disturbance


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and destruction on Ecological Station of Jata sur-roundings will have serious consequences for

these species and thereby for the functioning ofother ecosystems. In view of the fragmentation ofthe landscape caused by human activities, like cul-tivation, road construction etc. (Pires & Santos,1996), some attention must be given to corridorfunction of Ecological Station of Jata and surroun-ding area (Fig. 4). Certain natural fragments andriparian forests can be considered as corridors wichenable animals to move from one habitat to thenext. Mogi-Guau River wetland with a expressivenet biomass production (Nogueira et al., 1996;Coutinho, 1989) is especially important as feeding

and resting habitats (Talamoni, 1996). In general,it can be considered that higher the net-productionbiomass, the more migratory species can besupported by a given ecosystem (De Groot, 1992).

The importance of Ecological Station of Jataas nursery area is evidenced to the dependence ofthe fish communities of oxbow lakes on the Mogi-Guau River wetland as a place for breeding andreproduction (Esteves, 1992; Meschiatti, 1998).However, the value of Ecological Station of Jataas nursery in terms the number of breeding fishspecies of wich over 1% of a local population, isstill unknown. The lack of data about fish biomassimpedes any evaluation regarding socio-economicvalue of this function, in terms of a possible com-mercial exploration. The destruction of the floodedareas by agricultural practices (agrotoxic con-tamination) can reduce the socio-economic valueof this function. These socio-economic benefitswould only be considered if Ecological Station ofJata could admit tourism activity.

Maintenance of biological diversity: Protectiverepresentative sample of aquatic, flooded and ter-restrial ecosystems within Ecological Station of Jata

are essential for maintenance biological (and genetic)diversity restricted to this geographical zone. Theimportance of this natural area for the maintenanceof this function may be deduced from speciesdiversity, presence of endemic and rare/endangeredspecies, and their naturalness. We still have toidentify most of the species, and their properties,wich are living in the Ecological Station of Jata,and to make sure their continued survival for mansdifferent purposes. To the knowledge of theresearchers, no endemic species or subspecies are

known in the natural area in question. However, asa result of human activities on surrounding of

Ecological Station of Jata, both habitat fragmentation(Fig. 4) and killing of wild animals, many specieshave become rare or endangered. To the aquaticenvironments (oxbow lakes) phytoplankton richnessis highly varied, although just some species arequantitatively important (Dias, 1991). To theperiphyton material 181 algae species wereidentified, some of them coming from phytoplanktoncommunity (Schwarzbold, 1992). In spite ofimportance terrestrial ecosystems as refuge areafor several animal species (some of them vulnerableor even threatened), only a few systematic research

were accomplished involving guar wolf(Chrysocyon brachyurus), the largest representativeof the Canidae in South America (Talamoni, 1996;Mantovani, in prep.). These studies indicate adecrease of all functional areas (e.g. breeding,feeding and resting habitats) of the specie involvedas a resulting from fragmentation of the landscapecaused by human activities. Besides the guar wolf,Felis concolor, Tayassu tajacu, Callicebus lanatus,Myrmecophaga tridactyla, Nasua nasua andCaluromys anatus were also observed in naturalarea (Talamoni & Motta Jr., 1994).

No monetary value was estimated for thisfunction, but the biodiversity in Ecological Stationof Jata represents a considerable conservation (aswell as of option and existence) value.

Carrier functions

Selective forestry/agriculture/aquaculture/re-creation: The use of carrier functions by humanland use involves a significant alteration of thenatural environmental conditions. Sustainable useof carrier functions necessarily implies great limi-tations to the type and scope of human activities.Agricultural, aquacultural, recreational and forestry

activities that can be developed in natural areas ina sustainable manner, since they are well-managedand integrated in conservation strategies, are notallowed inside Ecological Station of Jata. Becauseof the constraints with respect to the sustainableuse of carrier functions only the nature protectionwich depend on the natural biological characteristicsof the Ecological Station of Jata, and wich can beutilised without serious damage to the conservationvalue are included here. However, current soil useon Ecological Station of Jata evidences remains


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of forestry activities, represented by Pinus andEucalyptus mono cultures (Fig. 3), referring to the

period that this natural area belonged to the Expe-rimental Station of Luiz Antnio. With lawfulcreation of the Ecological Station of Jata in 1982,forestry activities were interrupted because of theconstraints related to the basic objectives establishedfor this natural area category (Table 1). Since thatperiod natural replacement of forestry areas bysecondary forest is occurring.

The use of Ecological Station of Jata sur-roundings for intensive cultivation of sugar canemono-cultures has negative effects on landscapearea (Pires & Santos, 1996), influencing surrounding

land-owners attitude with respect to the natural area.This socio-cultural group realize that EcologicalStation of Jata is large enough just for conservationpurpose, and has to be used also for crop growing(Santos et al., 1996). This attitude is likewise fordecision-makers socio-cultural group (Silva, 1997).

Aquaculture deserves to be highlighted asmanagement possibility because of aquatic eco-systems in the Ecological Station, although justabout 2% of total natural area are permanent orperiodically flooded (Pires, 1994). Considering therelatively stable water temperatures of oxbow-lakeson natural area (Barroso, 1994), it should bepossible to exploit fish productivity (Esteves, 1992;Meschiatti, 1998) on a sustainable basis withoutinterfering with conservation interests.

The suitability of Ecological Station of Jatafor recreation is related to the quality of theirscenery and the presence of animal wildlife (Obara,1999). Recreational (sport fishing or hunting) acti-vity on Ecological Station of Jata is experiencedby many people, although not allowed. About 150people/day during a weekend practise sport fishingin oxbow lakes, streams or in the reservoir includedon natural area. The entrance fee is free of tax but

identity document are retained during stay periodof time in natural area. According manager admi-nistration of Ecological Station of Jata local sportfishing is manual but fishing net are stillapprehended with fishermen.

Nature protection: The total area designated fornature protection in the Ecological Station of Jatais 4,532.18 ha. Two important criteria that deter-mine the conservation value are naturalness anduniqueness. It is still relatively undisturbed and a

very dynamic natural area with special riparian zoneand oxbow lakes of Mogi-Guau River floodplain

and a remainder cerrado vegetation that have agreat cultural and scientific value (Decree of Lawn. 18,997, 15/06/82, SP). Other relevant features inrelation to the conservation value are speciesrichness and diversity, and also a very valuablefeeding and resting area for many species of birds,migrants as well as breeding species (Talamoni &Motta Jr., 1994).

The total area designated to nature protectionhas been questioned as insufficient in terms of theircapacity to play a role in biological conservation.It is necessary a change on the management objec-

tives and the increase of Ecological Station of Jataphysical area including Experimental Station of LuizAntnio, with a proposal of the Jata State Park withabout 11,000 ha (Pires, 1999). This new categoryof natural area will allow certain types of use thatdo not interfere with the Ecological Station of Jataconservation objectives. This proposition finds backup in the concern of State Environmental ControlAgency in disabling human activities inside theExperimental Station incorporating this areatogether Ecological Station of Jatas area.

The economic benefits of maintenance ofEcological Station of Jata were estimated by theContingent Valuation Method (Obara et al., 1999).The methodology involved the establishment of ahypothetical market, in that the individuals arequestioned about their preferences by certain goodsor services that doesnt present a real market value.They were asked about their Willing to Pay (WTP)for compensation regarding the maintenance andconservation of Ecological Station of Jata. Theannual total WTP estimated to inhabitants of theLuiz Antnio municipal district related to EcologicalStation of Jata was US$ 49,034.05 as a result ofsum of the use value (recreation value) estimated

in US$ 9,547.05 (or US$ 2.10/ha/year) and the nonuse values (inheritance value + existence value +option value), respectively estimated in US$16,755.15, 13,798.38 and 8,933.47 or respectivelyUS$ 3.70, 3.00 and 2.00/ha/year (Table 1). Theinheritance value (the guarantee that the futuregenerations can know Ecological Station of Jata)and the existence value (the guarantee existenceof plants and animals in the Ecological Station ofJata) were main motivations to preservation ofnatural area related to the total of money allocated


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by population. As a comparison, to a littoral areaat the South of So Paulo State, Brazil, it was

estimated an average WTP value about US$ 43.85/month to preserve growth of mangroves locatedin the area, submitted to indiscriminate destructionby local tourism (Grasso et al., 1995).

The Ecological Station of Jata also providesemployment, safeguard opportunities for other uses(such as research), and provide many other benefitssuch as regulation and information functions. Noinformation was obtained on the actual amount ofmoney involved in the conservation managementof natural area. But Table 1 shows that only fivepeople find employment in managing activities

(maintenance of infrastructure, personnel etc.) wichare directly related to nature protection. The socio-economic importance of this function related tomanagement costs involved employees salary,corresponds on annual average US$ 43,368.00, orUS$ 9.56/ha/year (Table 1).

Production functions

Genetic resources: Although the wildlife in Eco-logical Station of Jata represents a reservoir ofgenetic material, thus far little research has beenundertaken to study its potential for use. To maintainthe evolution of wild genetic material, theconservation of species in this natural area is essen-tial. Parameters for assessing the importance ofwild species (Chrysocyon brachyurus) for thisfunction involving their genetic properties andpopulation viability are been studied.

Medicinal resources: Although today most of themedicinal products are taken from cultivated plantand animal species, natural protected areas are stillessential because they safeguard the wild stock ofgenetic information. The use of wild plant speciesfor medicinal purposes is significant at the rural

environments or in some traditional cultures.Information about plants with medicinal propertiesare obtained with local inhabitants from Experimen-tal Station of Luiz Antnio. This survey revealeda total of 134 species distributed in 51 families, andindicated for 81 therapeutic uses (Castelucci, 1995).The occurrence of these plants is related toEcological Station of Jata and Experimental Stationof Luiz Antnio areas.

Raw material for construction and handmadeworks: In spite of they are not explored two types

of natural materials used on civil constructionand on handmade work were identified in theEcological Station of Jata. In the first case, aresandstone and basaltic rock, frequently used in ur-banisation projects, in second case occurs a kindof clay extracted from Sap Lagoon and fromBeija-Flor Stream (Fig. 3) that can be used forartisan works. This clay extraction processoccurred since the beginning of the 60s. However,it was interrupted by interference of Luiz AntnioExperimental Station administration becausenegative effects caused in freshwater (reservoir,

lake and stream) ecosystems. To avoid possibilityfor clay extraction Beija-Flor Stream was dammedwith drastic change of local landscape. The arti-ficial dam developed on landscape (Fig. 3) becameanother place for sport fishing activity, and alsobecame an additional breeding habitat for manyspecies of fishes.

The selective forestry ofPinus and Eucalyptusfor wood and resin extraction. are not accomplishedinside Ecological Station of Jata in current day andit is also disabled at the Experimental Station of LuizAntnio. It has been emphasized managementdecisions involving forestry mono-culturesreplacement by natural vegetation through secondarysuccession process.

Information functions

Providing aesthetic and historic information:Natural environments provide a inspirational andeducative forme of re-creative experience, withopportunities for reflection, spiritual enrichmentand cognitive development through exposure to lifeprocess and natural systems. Although methodsto analyse the aesthetic value of scenic landscapeexist (Obara, 1999), the appreciation of the scenery

is a highly personal experience. The EcologicalStation of Jata scenery seems to evoke contrastingfeelings and attitudes with spectators (fishermen,researchers, surrounding land-owners, decision-makers, primary school teachers, employees andmanager of the natural area) ranging from dejectionto excitement and wonder (Santos et al., 1996).Most people from Luiz Antnio city seem to feelmost confortable in a natural landscape borderedby medium-dense vegetation (Obara, 1999).


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There are certain structural or specific land-marks on Ecological Station of Jata, such as Diogo

lake, the remains of Jatas Harbour and Mogianarailroad, to wich people from Luiz Antnio cityattach emotional or heritage values. The destructionof these landmarks is experienced as a personal orcollective loss (Maroti & Santos, 1998). The historicvalue of these areas or elements should thereforebe accounted for in the planning and decision-making process.

Providing scientific and educational informa-tion: The Jata Ecological Station provides manyopportunities for nature study, environmental

education, and basic and applied scientific research.Some general parameters for assessing the sui-tability of Ecological Station of Jata for educationand scientific research include biotic and abioticdiversity, fragmentation of habitats, species andabiotic features occurring in the natural area, andthe presence of indicator species or processes. Thepotential value for research and education of Eco-logical Station of Jata is also influenced by theaccessibility and vicinity to research institute (e.g.Federal University of So Carlos) and urban areas.Over twelve years (1987-1999), at least 70 resear-chers carried out field research in natural area.Literature compilations on research done in theEcological Station of Jata number thousands oftitles stored on library of the Federal University ofSo Carlos.

The economic value of this function wasestimated by a calculation of the number of scien-tific expeditions organise in Ecological Station ofJata, during 1987-1999, and the amount of moneyinvolved in these activities. The estimate of resear-chers and technicians salaries; scholarships in levelof Master and Doctorate granted to projects; expen-ses with scientific expeditions in terms of daily and

fuel, and equipment and consumption material,would amount to a total of US$ 291,880.00/year,or US$ 64.40/ha/year (Table 1).

Considering an educational value of 1/3 of theresearch value (De Groot, 1992), the total cognitivevalue of the Ecological Station of Jata would beabout US$ 21.46/ha/year (Table 1).

Total socio-economic value of the Ecological

Station of Jata

The Ecological Station of Jata fulfils manyfunctions wich, directly or indirectly, contribute

to human welfare. The various types of socio-economic values that can be attributed to the func-

tions of this natural area and, their monetary valueis summarized in Table 1. It is important to realizethat the data presented in Table 1, are very crudeestimations and probably underestimate the truesocio-economic value of the natural ecosystem inquestion. They represent a first attempt of the eva-luation of the goods and services provided by Eco-logical Station of Jata, as well as a subsidy forfurther research to support more detailed andaccurate data.

The conservation value mainly consists of thebenefits derived from leaving Ecological Station

of Jata in its natural state. As these functionsoperate better in absence of disturbances, this typeof value is referred to as non-use value and mainlyrelates to regulation and carrier functions that havedirect importance to the human welfare. Thefunctions wich together determine the conservationor non-use value of Ecological Station of Jata(Table 1) are used as important arguments for con-serving this area. As a undisturbed area EcologicalStation of Jata regulates certain environmentalconditions that are essential to the maintenance ofa healthy living environment. For some regulationfunctions (flood and soil erosion prevention, storageand recycling of nutrients and biological control)and one of carrier function (nature protection) amonetary value was estimated through shadowprices, with a final value of US$ 603.31/ha/year(Table 1). Indeed, this conservation value ofenvironmental functions may far outweigh the directconsumptive and productive use values of thenatural area in question. However, to measure thesocio-economic benefits of the non-use values ofEcological Station of Jata is very difficult anddepends on the type of function and on the scaleon wich it is operating. To quantify the benefits of

the watershed protection function on natural areaat a local level was relatively straight forward (Table1). As a consequence of the problem involved thisnon-use benefit of nature, works as illustrativeexample of environmental function wich areconsidered to be free. It is therefore essential toquantify the economic benefits of the non-usequalitative values on Table 1 through the useofshadow prices. For instance, the possibility ofcommercial fisheries on the nursery functionofoxbow lakes on Mogi-Guau River wetlands,or the dependence of local agricultural productivity


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on natural biological control mechanisms providedby Ecological Station of Jata should be reflected

in price of the products. This added conservationvalue on fish and agricultural products should beused for the preservation and maintenance of theEcological Station of Jata.

Existence value it is related to the intangible,intrinsic and ethical values attributed to EcologicalStation of Jata. Part of the existence value dealswith feelings of stewardship on behalf of non-humanpopulations, reflecting the simpathy, responsibilityand concern that some people feel toward wildspecies and natural ecosystems (Maroti & Santos,1998). The intrinsic value attributed to Ecological

Station of Jata and the wildlife her contain, is animportant factor in the feeling of well-being to manypeople and is reflected in an ethical attitude towardsnature. However, this ethical attitude is subject toboth collective and individual environmentalperception, wich differ depending on the culturalbackground (Santos et al., 1996). Although difficultto measure, both in descriptive and in economicterms (Table 1), the existence value is an importantaspect of the socio-economic value people placeon Ecological Station of Jata (Obara, 1999) andshould be included as such in the decision-makingprocess. Often the existence value is the mainjustification for preserving natural areas, anddominates all other benefits of wildlife and naturalecosystems in the minds of some people (Pearsall,1984).

The social value of Ecological Station of Jatadeals with the importance placed on maintainingthe option to benefit from known and as of yetunknown functions of natural processes and com-ponents in the future (option value). Also yet likeenvironmental functions contribute, directly orindirectly, to human health (value to human health),such as the regulation of the local climate, storage

and recycling of human waste, pest control, me-dicinal resources etc. However, these values areindicated only in qualitative terms on Table 1. Toensure a option value for future benefits ofEcological Station of Jata, the existing diversityof habitats and species should be maintained asmuch possible. The monetary estimate of optionvalue for the Ecological Station of Jata should be,at least, equal to the total value of the conservationand productive use values combined, wich amounts

to more than US$ 629.87/ha/year. To avoid doublecounting this value is not included.

Since the future is uncertain, all types ofoption value can be seen as means of assigning avalue to risk aversion in the face of uncertainty(McNeely, 1988). New functions of natural eco-systems that have not yet been discovered can becategorized as a type of option value (serendipityvalue) (Pearsall, 1984).

The consumptive use value of environmentalfunctions relates to the use of natural products wichare harvested directly from the Ecological Stationof Jata. However, in this natural area direct har-vesting of natural products for subsistence reasons

is rather limited and mainly relates to catching fishon oxbow lakes, reservoir and streams. Possiblysome local inhabitant also collect firewood forpersonal use. It mainly deals with natural resourceswich are included in the category of productionfunctions and to some information functions, suchas aesthetic quality and historic value of EcologicalStation of Jata (Table 1). Only some studies havebeen carried out on Ecological Station of Jata toassess the importance of the direct use of wildplants to local community (Castelucci, 1995).Monetary quantification of these consumptive usevalues is rather difficult and has not been attemptedwithin the scope of this case study.

The productive use value of environmentalfunctions mainly relates to the use of natural re-sources, the use of the Ecological Station of Jataas provider space for carrier (recreation) functionand income from scientific expeditions (Table 1).

Another indicator for the socio-economicvalue of environmental function is their contributionto employment. The monetary value providedinformation and carrier functions, in terms ofresources invested in development of researchactivities and nature protection allowed to estimate

a total socio-economic value of US$ 73.96/ha/year(Table 1).

The combined potential annual return of somefunctions provided by Ecological Station of Jatais at least US$ 708.83/ha/year (Table 1). In com-parison to estimates accomplished for other naturalecosystems this is a rather moderate value.Gosselink et al. (1974) calculated a monetary valueof US$ 10,000.00/ha/year for several estuaries ofthe east coast of the USA; Thibodeau & Ostro(1981) arrived at a value of US$ 28,000.00/ha/year


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for the Charles River Basin, Massachusetts; Hair(1988) estimated a value of US$ 3,600.00/ha/year

of Atlantic Spartina Marsh; De Groot (1990)determined a value of US$ 6,200.00/ha/year forthree major ecosystems complexes on DutchWadden Sea and US$ 120.00/ha the total monetaryreturn from environmental functions in Galapagos(De Groot, 1988), and Grasso et al. (1995)estimated an average WTP value about US$ 395.00/

ha/year to preserve mangrove located at Canania,SP (Table 2).

It must be realized that the total monetaryvalue of Ecological Station of Jata only representsthe annual return from described functions on Table1. Since utilised in a sustainable manner, EcologicalStation of Jata can be enjoyed indefinitely. Theincome derived from natural goods and servicesmust therefore be seen as the interest of a capital-

TABLE 2

Annual return values from environmental (ecosystem services) functions (1) and natural capital (2) ofdifferent ecosystems.

Ecosystems (1) US$/ha/year (2) US$/ha References

Estuaries of the east coast of the USA 10,000 200,000 Gosselinket al., 1974

Charles Riber Basin, Massachusetts, USA 28,000 560,000 Thibodeau & Ostro, 1981

Atlantic Spartina sp. Marsh 3,600 72,000 Hair, 1988

Ecosystem complexes on Dutch Waden Sea 6,200 124,000 De Groot, 1990

Galapagos, Ecuador 120 2,400 De Groot, 1988

Ecological Station of Jata, SP, Brazil 708 14,160 This study

Canania, SP, Brazil 395 7,900 Grasso et al., 1995*

* Related only with average WTP value to preserve mangroves located at Canania, SP.

stock of natural processes and components wichprovide these functions. The total annual valuetransformed into a capital value reflects the trueeconomic value of the natural area in question.Instead of the use of discount rates (Hueting,1991), a better approach to calculate the capitalvalue of environmental functions would be theinterest-on-capital approach (De Groot, 1992). At 5%interest, a yearly return of US$ 708.83/ha/year wouldrepresent a capitalized value of the functions of theEcologicalStation of Jata of about US$ 14,160.00/ha(Table 2).

With the capital value is possible to comparethe non-use value of this natural area with themonetary return calculated for a non-sustainableuse.

Although the Ecological Station of Jata,compared to other ecosystems, is poorly protectedand managed, it too is still threatened by humanactivities accomplished in their surrounding area.To ensure the conservation of this natural area (and

to stimulate the restoration of degraded areas), itis necessary to have a clear understanding of themany functions and socio-economic values of Eco-logical Station of Jata in their natural state. Althoughthe economic market doesnt recognise themonetary value of many environmental functions,such evaluation do provide a revealing insight intothe great socio-economic importance of this naturalarea. And also more awareness of these values mayprovide an important incentive to their preservationand sustainable utilisation.

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