Valuing the Economic Benefits of Florida's Conservation Lands

Abstract

The ecosystem service value provided by conservation lands can be a useful tool as governments evaluate conservation priorities. Therefore, the Florida State Department of Environmental Protection requested a study building on a previously conducted one valuing some of the State’s 270 conservation areas. A benefit transfer valuation was conducted on 20 representative lands. Results indicated the conservation lands provided more than $5,340 per acre in ecosystem services. Although, these do not include every conservation area in Florida their dispersion throughout the State suggest that the remaining 240 conservation areas may also provide a high level of ecosystem services to the citizens of Florida. Further study is recommended to value the remaining State’s protected areas.