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A Cost–Benefit Analysis for the Economic Evaluation of Ecosystem Services Lost Due to Erosion in a Mediterranean River Basin

Author

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  • Giuliano Rocco Romanazzi

    (Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences (DISSPA), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/a, 70126 Bari, Italy)

  • Giovanni Ottomano Palmisano

    (Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences (DISSPA), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/a, 70126 Bari, Italy)

  • Marilisa Cioffi

    (Reagri s.r.l., Via Chiatona 62, 74016 Massafra, Italy)

  • Vincenzo Leronni

    (Green Agency C.C., Via A. De Curtis 14/g, 70023 Gioia del Colle, Italy)

  • Ervin Toromani

    (Faculty of Forest Sciences, Agricultural University, Rruga Paisi Vodica 1025, Koder-Kamez, 1025 Tirane, Albania)

  • Romina Koto

    (Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture and Environment, University of Tirana, Rruga Paisi Vodica 1025, Koder-Kamez, 1025 Tirane, Albania)

  • Annalisa De Boni

    (Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences (DISSPA), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/a, 70126 Bari, Italy)

  • Claudio Acciani

    (Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences (DISSPA), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/a, 70126 Bari, Italy)

  • Rocco Roma

    (Department of Soil, Plant and Food Sciences (DISSPA), University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Amendola 165/a, 70126 Bari, Italy)

Abstract

Soil degradation in Europe is mostly represented by soil erosion that, as a sediment production mechanism, is the main environmental threat to many watersheds, including the Bovilla watershed (Tirana), useful for the supply of drinking water to the city, and therefore, the care of water quality is of particular interest. The soil erosion of the Bovilla watershed was monitored in a work set up in June 2017. Following this work, this research updates the previous data on soil loss at the Bovilla watershed in t/ha/year to September 2019 and focuses on the identification and monetary evaluation of the ecosystem services (ESs) linked to soil erosion (loss of carbon, loss of mineral elements, habitat quality, crop productivity, and sustainable tourism suitability). Then, we applied the replacement cost analysis to test the economic convenience and suggest the adoption of sustainable land management practices (e.g., reforestation) able to improve the quality water in this watershed. The study carried out demonstrates that the values of soil lost due to erosion vary depending on the type of land use (ranging from average values of 120.32 t/ha for bare land to values of 8.16 t/ha for wooded areas). Furthermore, from the application of monetary methods for the evaluation of some ecosystem services linked to erosion (loss of carbonaceous and mineral elements, habitat quality, productivity, suitability for sustainable tourism), it clearly emerges that the value of the productivity of agricultural crops varies from EUR 0 to 35,320.50/ha and that the service represents a more incisive service than the previous ones, so much so as to make the conversion of some agricultural land with high productivity values into wooded areas economically disadvantageous. The data from this study may help to develop Bovilla watershed management strategies for erosion and pollution control and sediment remediation mainly in agricultural lands. A program of measures can be effective for controlling soil erosion, but it must be implemented over long time frames, and it requires relevant investments from the public and private sectors, also with a view to increase the allocation of economic values of monetary compensation aimed at those who decide to start forestation projects on highly productive soils.

Suggested Citation

  • Giuliano Rocco Romanazzi & Giovanni Ottomano Palmisano & Marilisa Cioffi & Vincenzo Leronni & Ervin Toromani & Romina Koto & Annalisa De Boni & Claudio Acciani & Rocco Roma, 2024. "A Cost–Benefit Analysis for the Economic Evaluation of Ecosystem Services Lost Due to Erosion in a Mediterranean River Basin," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-27, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:13:y:2024:i:9:p:1512-:d:1480251
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    References listed on IDEAS

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