%0 Journal Article
%T The value of the Ecological Station of Jata¨ª's ecosystem services and natural capital
%A SANTOS J. E.
%A NOGUEIRA F.
%A PIRES J. S. R.
%A OBARA A. T.
%J Revista Brasileira de Biologia
%D 2001
%I Scientific Electronic Library Online
%X The capacity of a given natural ecosystem to provide certain goods and services that satisfy human needs depends on its environmental characteristics (natural processes and components). It was described the availability of these goods and services (environmental functions) controlled and sustained by ecological processes operating in Ecological Station of Jata¨ª (Luiz Ant nio, SP). The environmental functions identified were grouped in four main categories. To make environmental values an integrated factor in planning and decision making it was assessed their socio-economic importance in qualitative terms and, if possible their monetary value. The combined potential annual return from identified functions of Ecological Station of Jata¨ª is at least US$ 708.83/ha/year. In comparison to calculations made for other natural ecosystems this is a rather moderate estimate. The Ecological Station of Jata¨ª is poorly protected and managed, it too is still threatened by human activity (agriculture) and many development plans. Although present day market economics do not recognize the monetary value of most environmental functions, such calculations do provide a revealing insight into the great socio-economic importance of Ecological Station of Jata¨ª. More awareness of these values may provide an important incentive for their preservation and sustainable use.
%K ecosystem services
%K environmental functions
%K natural capital
%K natural conservation area
%U http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0034-71082001000200002