Segregating direct and indirect dimensions in ecosystem services valuation: The case of a coastal wetland ecosystem of South India C Sulakshana Rao*, Balasubramanian R. Department of Economics, Christ Deemed to be University, DelhiNCR-201 003, India Department of Agricultural Economics, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Tamil Nadu-606 753, India *E-mail:sulakshana.rao@christuniversity.in
Online published on 9 March, 2021. Abstract This paper provides insights into the multiple (direct and indirect) benefits of Kuttanad coastal wetland ecosystem in Kerala. Total annual direct ecosystem services generated from the wetlands are INR 8.45 billion or USD 0.11 billion per annum at 2020 prices. The estimates of the case study indicate that the annual value of indirect ecosystem services is thrice of direct provisioning services (Rs 22.52 billion or USD 0.31 billion per annum at 2020 prices). The valuation study would improve the knowledge and awareness of economic importance of wetland ecosystems among the various stakeholders including the policy makers of the society and their sustainable management to benefit the society. Top Keywords Wetland, Ecosystem services, Direct-use value, Indirect-use value, Travel cost method. Top |