Valoración económica de los servicios ecosistémicos en Bolivia: estimación del aporte de las áreas protegidas y los territorios indígenas[Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services in Bolivia: Estimating the Contribution of Protected Areas and Indigenous Territories]

This study estimates the various ecosystem services provided by natural areas in Bolivia. Currently, the benefits received by local populations are around US$ 3.4 billion per year, generated primarily through the provision of water for consumption and energy generation, support for crops, tourism, and recreation. However, if global values, such as carbon sequestration and biodiversity protection, are included, and if the great potential of natural areas is sustainably leveraged, the total potential annual economic value is around US$ 29 billion. Of this US$ 29 billion, approximately 20% is generated within national PAs and 21% within subnational PAs. If Indigenous territories are also included, these areas generate approximately 56% of the total value. Since carbon sequestration and biodiversity protection predominate in the total value, forested areas are the largest contributors. Furthermore, the fact that the vast majority of benefits are global rather than local means that international support is key and necessary to maintain these services over the long term.