Economic valoration of the rural area of coxilha rica, Lages/SC natural fields

Abstract

The region of Coxilha Rica is located at the countryside of Lages/SC and known by the beauty of its natural resources and its relevance in the history and culture of Santa Catarina, however, is being threatened by the intensification of agriculture and forestry. This fact motivated the present study aimed to estimate the environmental value of this area, from the Measurement of Willingness to Pay (WTP) of the local population for its preservation. We used the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) during the months from April to July 2016, where 252 people living in Lages interviewed and questioned by referendum method, they accepted to contribute financially to the preservation of Coxilha Rica. The socioeconomic profile of respondents and an Environmental Concern Scale (EPA) used as explanatory variables. The variables Income, Price and EPA were significant in the estimation of logit and probit models, resulting in an individual environmental value of R$ 25.81 and R$ 25.17 per month, respectively. We concluded that the votes of protests significantly compromise the results of the models and the EPA variable proved to be promising in the study of environmental valuation.