El Jardín Botánico de Montevideo: Un análisis de valoración económica desde la perspectiva de los servicios ecosistémicos urbanos

Urbanization has led to increased concern by local authorities about ecological infrastructure and adaptation to climate change. However, the economic value of urban environmental services is often not adequately reflected in management decisions. The monetary valuation of goods remains a challenge for decision-makers in public policy, although some studies have managed to determine a relationship between price and willingness to pay. Worldwide, there are still gaps in the literature on qualitative variables such as perception of environmental and cultural benefits, education, and gender. In Uruguay, the economic valuation of ecosystem services remains largely unexplored. This study uses the Contingent Valuation Method to explore the impact of socioeconomic variables on willingness to pay for entry to the Montevideo Botanical Garden. A logit-type econometric model shows that valuation of environmental aspects increases willingness to pay, while variables such as income and education have no direct effect. The results also suggest that women have a higher willingness to pay than men. This study can assist decision-makers in generating public policies on urban ecosystem services and opens up new opportunities for research in urban ecology, gender studies, and public policies.