GIS-based Valuation of Ecosystem Services in Mountain Regions: A Case Study of the Karlovo Municipality in Bulgaria

By

Koulov, Boian
Ivanova, Ekaterina
Borisova, Bilyana
Assenov, Assen
Ravnachka, Aleksandra

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2017-7-4

Original Publication

One ecosystem : ecology and sustainability data journal

Volume

2

Pages

1--26

Subjects

Bulgaria , ecosystem services dysergy , ecosystem services mapping and valuation , mountain regions , sustainable governance

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia, Bulgaria Pensoft Publishers

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/oneeco.2.e14062

 

Abstract

This study aims to apply approaches, methods, and indicators from the conceptual framework of ecosystem services valuation to a real world, local level case study. It tests a GIS-based mapping and valuation of ecosystem services model in a typical mountain municipality in Bulgaria. Investigation results address opportunities, challenges and limitations in the practical application of the ecosystem services concept. They include an integrated assessment of the ecosystem services in a specific administrative territorial unit and suggest its Total Economic Value. The introduction of the term “ecosystem services dysergy” should contribute to valuation theory and practice. The study upgrades the currently available knowledge base that supports geospatial planning and sustainable development of the Karlovo Municipality and offers recommendations for improvement of the municipal ecosystem services utilization, which include identification, analysis, and visualization of hotspots and dysergy areas.