Florida Ecosystem Service Valuation Project

The ecosystem service value provided by conservation land 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 $4,000 per acre in 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 service to the citizens of Florida.  Further study is recommended to value the remaining State’s protected areas.