Valuation of environmental quality in the Atlantic Forest of water in the watershed of the APA Sana - RJ

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the environmental services provided by the Atlantic Forest in the water quality in two watersheds located in the APA Sana - RJ with different percentage of forest cover and value these environmental services for consumers (plaintiffs), owners of forest area / livestock (sellers). Was analyzed at the exit of the watershed total solids and turbidity to assess the environmental services of Atlantic water quality. You raised the willingness to pay for water users for environmental services captured in these watersheds and the willingness to receive from suppliers (forest owners / livestock) in the watersheds studied. The results showed that based on the turbidity Palmital watershed, with the highest percentage of forest cover, do not require water treatment. Differently, Gloria watershed, with a predominance of grazing areas, require treatment. The mere preservation of forest cover in the watershed Palmital environmental service would maintain water quality. You will need only one monthly payment for water users of this watershed to compensate the opportunity cost of the owners of forest lands in the watershed Palmital. The environmental valuation in the watershed Gloria demonstrates that it is feasible to pay for the cost of reforestation of pastures over the opportunity cost of forest areas to maintain environmental services of forest cover on water quality that payment of a water tariff that charges-if the chemical treatment of water.