Influencia de los factores socioeconómicos y culturales en la valoración de los servicios de los ecosistemas en el Cinturón Verde del Bilbao Metropolitano
- Izaskun Casado-Arzuaga
- Igone Palacios-Agundez
- Xabier Arana
- Iosu Madariaga
- Miren Onaindia
ISSN: 1887-9810
Year of publication: 2011
Issue: 5
Pages: 73-91
Type: Article
More publications in: Revista Forum de Sostenibilidad = Forum Iraunkortasun aldizkaria = Sustainability Forum journal
Abstract
Ecosystems directly affect the quality of life of the population by providing a number of different services. The Bilbao Metropolitan Area has been heavily affected by humans, yet it retains a variety of peri-urban ecosystems which may still be providing services greatly appreciated by local inhabitants. In this study, a survey was conducted with the aim of analysing the social interest in relation to conserving the ecosystems which make up the Bilbao Metropolitan Greenbelt, using the contingent valuation method. The survey also assessed the factors which influence respondents’ willingness to pay for this. Almost 90% of the respondents were willing to collaborate in conserving the study area, with the factors that most positively influenced this attitude being youth, higher levels of education and income, a greater knowledge of the area, being more environmentally- friendly and living in an urban area. In conclusion, it can be stated that the population is, in general, in favour of the public administration investing in the conservation of the greenbelt.”