| Popis: |
In November 2013 and in March 2015 the Vallombrosa Forest was affected by high intensity windstorms, with gusts of over 160 km h-1. Windstorms caused significant damages to the forest stands, involving in particular silver fir woods (Abies alba Mill.), the most widespread forest typology over the entire surface of the forest. These meteorological events led to the removal of several hectares of tree cover, causing inevitable ecological, economic and social consequences; however, they also opened new hidden landscapes and created new habitats potentially useful for species linked to open environments. Within these premises, the study was aimed to estimate the monetary value of the new landscape created by windstorms in some forest units of the Vallombrosa Forest. The method is based on survey implemented by Contingent Valuation technique and willingness to pay (WTP) for the maintenance of the opening created in the forest. The majority of interviewed resulted willing to pay for the new landscape and mainly with amounts between 1 and 150 euros year-1. Assuming different potential annual users and capitalization rates, the landscape value of the study areas was estimated between 419,902 and 37,314,877 euros. The study (with suggested improvements) can be considered a methodological basis, aiming to support the decision making processes about the planning of the study areas in the perspective of integrated management of forest ecosystem services. |
