Carried out by: University of Vermont-Department of Community Development & Applied Economics-Gund Institute for Ecological Economics-Rubenstein School of Environment & Natural Resources

Valuation of Pacific Salmon

Ecosystems in Russia Far East

Kol River Salmon Refuge 544,000 acres 3 hydrological sections – Kol, Kehta, and Kuntovo One of the richest known assemblages of salmonid fish

Contains all six Pacific salmon species Is a high biodiversity indicator for region

45% of diversity of birds on Kamchatka exist within spawning grounds in the Kol Refuge

Study Site: Kol River Salmon Refuge

1. Understand the link between ecosystem services in the Kol River Salmon Refuge and human welfare

2. Determine the total value of market and non-market ecosystem services that flow from the Kol River Salmon Refuge

3. Forecast changes in ecosystem functions and values under various management scenarios.

-Model scenario development

Objectives of Valuation Study

GIS layersValuation methods

1. Production function, 2. Travel Cost Method (TCM), 3. Flathead Lake Bio-station -science/education value, and 4.Benefits Transfer from existing database of known ecosystem service values

Valuation Framework

Example of Ecosystem Services ValuedFunctions Ecosystem processes and components Examples

Regulation functions - Maintenance of essential ecological processes and life support systems

1 Gas regulation Role of ecosystems in bio-geochemical cycles Maintenance of good air quality

2 Climate regulationInfluence of land cover and biol. mediated

processes on climateMaintenance favorable climate for human and

salmon existence

3 Disturbance preventionInfluence of ecosystem structure on dampening

environmental disturbancesStorm protection (e.g. wetlands or mangroves)

4 Water regulationRole of land in regulating runoff & river

dischargeDrainage, natural irrigation, and regulation of flows

necessary for spawning

5 Water supply Filtering, retention and storage of fresh waterProvision of water for consumptive use (e.g. drinking

water)

6 Nutrient regulationRole of biota in storage and re-cycling of

nutrientsNutrient cycling salmon provide for Kamchatka

brown bears and birds

Habitat functions - Providing habitat (suitable living space) for wild plant and animal species

7 Refugium functions Suitable living space for wild plants and animals Suitable habitat for Kamchatka brown bears

8 Nursery function Suitable reproduction habitat Suitable spawning area for Pacific salmon

Production functions - Provision of natural resources

9 FoodConversion of solar energy into edible plants

and animalsPacific salmon as a food source

10 Raw materialsConversion of solar energy into biomass for

human construction and other usesImprove crop resistance to pathogens & pests

Information functions - providing opportunities for cognitive development

11 Aesthetic information Attractive landscape features Enjoyment of scenic views on Kamchatka Peninsula

12 Recreation Variety of landscapes with recreational uses Tourism as a result of Pacific salmon fishing

13Cultural and artistic

informationVariety in natural features with cultural and

artistic valueUse of Pacific salmon in books, painting, national

symbols, advertising etc…

14 Science and educationVariety in nature with scientific and educational

valueUse of Kamchatka Biostations for scientific research

The Earth Surface Change Model – Estimates Changes in Values Based on Management Scenarios

LocationsBiosphere

Earth Surfaces

NutrientCycling

Hydrosphere Lithosphere Atmosphere

Anthroposphere

Cultures

Biodiversity

EcosystemServices

Water by

Reservoir

Geological Carbon

Ores

Earth Energy

Gasses

ExchangesBetweenLocations

Social Capital

Human Capital

Economy

•Incorporating Kol Refuge Valuation as a Case Study in a Larger Model •The Multi-scale Integrated Model of the Earth Systems (MIMES)

The Big Picture - MIMES Economics

Economics Sectors

Final demand

GovernmentInvestments