Valoración económica de los activos ambientales de la cuenca Laguna de Bustillos, Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate the economic value of ecosystem services in the Laguna de Bustillos basin, located in the municipality of Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, using the Analytic Multicriteria Valuation Method (AMUVAM). The methodology was structured in two stages: 1) weighing of ecosystem services using the analytic hierarchy process, and 2) estimation of their monetary value using the income present value method, taking as a reference the economic contribution of those services with market value. Thirteen ecosystem services were identified, with regulating services being the most important (primarily climate, water, and biological regulation, and soil erosion control), followed by provisioning and cultural services. Supporting services were considered within these categories. The total estimated economic value of the basin’s ecosystem services was 468 554.77 million pesos (MXN). The results obtained are key to the design and implementation of integrated management, conservation and restoration strategies for natural resources, as well as to the formulation of public policies that promote the participation of the various social actors involved in the management of the basin.