Empirical essays on the economic value of Mangrove restoration in Colombia

Guillen Oñate, Keila Joana (2023) Empirical essays on the economic value of Mangrove restoration in Colombia. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

Preview

PDF Download (7MB) | Preview

Abstract

This dissertation highlights the critical need for the conservation and restoration of mangrove ecosystems, particularly in Colombia, focusing on its contributions to local communities’ subsistence and resilience. The study employs three distinct economic valuation methodologies to assess both historical and forthcoming mangrove restoration initiatives.

The first chapter addresses a notable gap in the literature regarding the economic valuation of mangroves in Latin America, with a specific focus on Colombia. By conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis, including studies from both published and unpublished sources across North, Central and South American countries. A metaregression model is estimated using a multilevel approach, to identify key factors influencing mangrove value, including ecosystem services, study characteristics, socioeconomic variables, and site characteristics. Application of this model to the Cienaga Grande de Santa Marta (CGSM) in the Colombian Caribbean estimated a total value of US$91.7 million gained from mangrove restoration efforts between 2000 and 2020.

The second chapter assesses the economic value of mangrove nursery function as a contributing factor to local artisanal fisheries in CGSM. The results supported the positive correlation between mangrove cover and fisheries catches and revenues, demonstrating the positive marginal productivity of mangroves in this area and the contributions of restoration actions to local livelihoods. The third and final chapter investigates individual preferences for future mangrove restoration projects in CGSM, through a choice experiment survey, exploring the anticipated benefits of planned restoration actions. The choice experiment included attributes related to biodiversity, mangrove extension, fisheries, and contributions to restoration efforts (including monetary and time contributions). The analysis revealed a preference for volunteering in restoration activities over monetary contributions, and a willingness to make higher monthly payments and volunteer more hours for improvements in mangrove cover and fish catch, also conditioned to the distance to mangroves.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Economics
Depositing User:	Nicola Veasy
Date Deposited:	24 Jan 2024 14:20
Last Modified:	24 Jan 2024 14:20
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/94241
DOI:

Downloads

Actions (login required)

View Item