Economic valuation of plant diversity storage service provided by Brazilian rupestrian grassland ecosystems

Abstract

The rupestrian grassland ecosystems provide various goods and services to society and support a significant amount of biological diversity. Notably the rich plant diversity has high levels of endemism and a variety of uses among the local communities and general society. Despite the socio-ecological importance of these ecosystems, they are subjected to significant anthropogenic pressures. The goal of this study is to perform economic valuation of the plant diversity storage service provided by rupestrian grassland ecosystems to provide grounds for the development of conservation policies and encourage sustainable practices in these ecosystems. Given the intense human disturbances and unique flora, the Serra do Cipó (southern portion of the Espinhaço Range in southeast Brazil) was selected for the study. We estimate the monetary value related to the plant diversity storage service provided by the study area using the maintenance costs of native plants in the living collections of the botanical garden managed by the Zoobotanical Foundation -Belo Horizonte (located 97 km from Serra do Cipó). The plant diversity storage value provided by Serra do Cipó ecosystems is significant, reaching US$25.26 million year -1 . This study contributes to the development of perspectives related to the conservation of rupestrian grassland ecosystems as well as others threatened tropical ecosystems with high biodiversity Keywords: biodiversity, conservation, economic valuation, valuation methods. Valoração econômica do serviço de estocagem da diversidade de plantas fornecido pelos ecossistemas de campos rupestres brasileiros ResumoOs ecossistemas de campos rupestres fornecem diversos bens e serviços à sociedade, além de abrigar uma significativa diversidade biológica. Particularmente, a rica biodiversidade vegetal apresenta altas taxas de endemismo e uma grande variedade de usos entre a comunidade local e a sociedade como um todo. Apesar da importância sócio-ecológica desses ecossistemas, eles estão submetidos a significativa pressão antrópica. O objetivo desse estudo é realizar a valoração econômica do serviço de estocagem da diversidade de plantas fornecido pelos ecossistemas de campos rupestres para fornecer subsídios para o desenvolvimento de políticas conservacionistas e estimular práticas sustentáveis nesses ecossistemas. Diante dos intensos distúrbios antrópicos e sua flora única, a Serra do Cipó (porção sul da Cadeia do Espinhaço, Sudeste do Brasil) foi selecionada para este estudo. . Esse estudo contribui para o desenvolvimento de perspectivas relacionadas à conservação dos ecossistemas de campos rupestres assim como outros ecossistemas ameaçados e com alta biodiversidade nos trópicos.Palavras-chave: biodiversidade, conservação, valoração econômica, métodos de valoração.

Economic valuation of the ecosystem services provided by a protected area in the Brazilian Cerrado: application of the contingent valuation method

“…We contributed to expand the analysis focused in the ecosystem services provided by the threatened ecosystems of Serra do Cipó. Previously, Resende et al (2013), using the method of replacement cost, estimated the monetary value of plant diversity storage service provided by the SCNP ecosystems as US$25.26 million year -1 . For consistency regarding the inherent complexity of natural ecosystems, efforts are still needed to capture the other dimensions of ecosystem values (ecological and socio-cultural dimensions) of SCNP ecosystems.…”

Ecology and evolution of plant diversity in the endangered campo rupestre: a neglected conservation priority

“…Native plants from campo rupestre are a relevant source of natural fibres, timber, food, medicines, resins, oils and ornamentals (Stannard et al 1995;Giulietti et al 1997), and thus can have economic value. To estimate the value of the plant diversity in campo rupestre, Resende et al (2013) calculated the maintenance cost of native plants in the living collections in a botanical garden to determine the annual maintenance cost of one specimen in the nursery. The acquisition and maintenance costs related to a single specimen under ex situ conditions reached US$109.95 per individual.…”

Resilience and restoration of tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and grassy woodlands

“…Tropical old‐growth grasslands exhibit exceptional biodiversity, including high species richness and endemism, and provide important ecosystem services, including belowground carbon storage, soil stabilisation, ground and surface water recharge, forage production for domestic livestock and native game animals, and habitat for native charismatic and endangered animals [e.g. elephant, Loxodonta africana and bison, Bison bison (Fuhlendorf et al ., ; Resende, Fernandes & Coelho, ; Parr et al ., ; Hempson, Archibald & Bond, ; Veldman et al ., , b ; Bond, ; Abreu et al ., )].…”

“…Durigan & Ratter, 2016). As more tropical old-growth grasslands are lost, grassland restoration should increase in importance as part of efforts to maintain biodiversity and ecosystem services (Resende et al, 2013;Parr et al, 2014;Bond, 2016;Fernandes, 2016).…”