Wetlands as Natural Capital: Valuation Approaches and the Türkiye Experience
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21393959Keywords:
Wetlands, Ecosystem services, Valuation approaches, Wetlands in Türkiye, Current valuation approachesAbstract
Wetlands, a crucial component of natural capital, fulfill numerous ecosystem services such as water regime regulation, flood control, carbon sequestration, and biodiversity conservation. This review examines wetlands in conjunction with their ecosystem services and systematically investigates economic valuation approaches. The review utilized open-access databases such as DergiPark, TR Dizin, and Google Scholar for a literature search. The keywords "wetlands, ecosystem services, valuation approaches, wetlands in Turkey, current valuation approaches" were searched within these databases. The literature review included 27 articles, 18 book chapters, and 8 research papers. Based on the information gathered from the literature review, it was found that despite Turkey's significant potential in terms of wetland diversity and biological richness, incorrect agricultural practices, unplanned urbanization, misuse of water resources, and problems in water management policies are leading to the loss of ecosystem services in wetlands. Determining the scientific value of wetlands and, in line with this scientific value, determining their economic value, developing conservation policies, developing national wetland valuation guides, effectively and integratedly using remote sensing and GIS-based approaches, basing decision-making processes on scientific principles, conducting ecosystem service mapping studies, and the active role of local governments will contribute to the sustainable and effective management of these wetlands.
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