The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity, Aruba January 2018 Updated version 1 Wolfs Company IVM YABI Sarphatistraat 370 Institute for Environmental Boroncana 223A 1018 GW, Amsterdam Studies Noord The Netherlands VU University Amsterdam Aruba T: +31 20 520 6993 De Boelelaan 1087 T: +297 560 2700 E: 1081 HV, Amsterdam E: [email protected] [email protected] The Netherlands T: +31 20 598 9555 F: +31 20 598 9553 E: [email protected] ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thanks are extended to all those whom participated in the workshop on the 28/29 April 2016, many of whom have contributed through expert interviews and sharing invaluable knowledge (see annex for a stakeholders list). Also to the principle funders of this project SETAR N.V. Corporate Social Responsibility Fund, without whom the research would not have been carried out. Additionally, a special thanks to the University of Aruba, whose students participated in data collection. Lead authors: Timothy Polaszek, Consultant, Wolfs Company, Sarphatistraat 370, Amsterdam. Francielle Lacle, Consultant, YABI Consultancy, Aruba. Prof. Pieter van Beukering, Associate Professor, Institute for Environmental Studies, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam. Esther Wolfs, Partner, Wolfs Company, Sarphatistraat 370, Amsterdam. This report was commissioned by the Department of Nature and the Environment of the Aruban Government and SETAR N.V. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo-copying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of Wolfs Company. 2 Table of Contents ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................ 2 Table of Contents .................................................................................................. 3 List of acronyms & abbreviations ....................................................................... 5 List of figures ......................................................................................................... 6 List of tables ........................................................................................................... 7 Executive summary .................................................................................................. 8 1. Introduction ............................................................................................... 11 General background ............................................................................................ 11 Research Area ...................................................................................................... 15 Selection of ecosystem services ............................................................................ 17 Research scope .................................................................................................... 19 Research objectives ............................................................................................. 20 Project organization ............................................................................................ 22 Report outline ...................................................................................................... 22 References ............................................................................................................ 23 2. Theoretical Background and valuation methods ................................ 24 Ecosystem service valuation ................................................................................. 26 Ecosystems of Aruba ............................................................................................ 31 MARINE ............................................................................................................... 33 TERRESTRIAL ........................................................................................................ 34 Threats to the ecosystems ................................................................................... 37 References ........................................................................................................... 40 3. Local Cultural Services ............................................................................. 42 3.1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 42 3.2 Methodology ................................................................................................. 43 3.3 Results ........................................................................................................... 48 Hotspot mapping - PPGIS ..................................................................................... 53 Crowdsourcing - Social Media - Instagram ........................................................... 59 3.4 Conclusion and recommendations .................................................................. 60 3.5 References ..................................................................................................... 62 4. Tourism ...................................................................................................... 63 4.1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 63 4.2 Methodology ................................................................................................. 65 4.3 Results ........................................................................................................... 67 4.4 Conclusion...................................................................................................... 75 4.5 References ..................................................................................................... 76 5. Fisheries ..................................................................................................... 77 5.1 Introduction ................................................................................................... 77 5.2 Methodology ................................................................................................. 81 3 Data collection ..................................................................................................... 85 5.3 Results ........................................................................................................... 94 5.4 Conclusion...................................................................................................... 97 5.5 References ..................................................................................................... 99 6. Agriculture ............................................................................................... 100 6.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................100 6.2 Methodology ................................................................................................101 6.3 Results ..........................................................................................................102 6.4 Conclusions & Discussion...............................................................................106 6.5 References ....................................................................................................108 7. Medicinal Plants ...................................................................................... 109 7.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................109 7.2 Methodology ................................................................................................109 7.3 Results ..........................................................................................................110 7.4 Discussion .....................................................................................................111 7.5 References ....................................................................................................112 8. Non-use value ......................................................................................... 113 8.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................113 8.2 Methodology ................................................................................................113 8.3 Discussion .....................................................................................................114 8.4 References ....................................................................................................117 9. Carbon sequestration ............................................................................ 118 9.1 Introduction ..................................................................................................118 9.2 Methodology ................................................................................................118 9.3 Results ..........................................................................................................121 9.4 References ....................................................................................................124 Concluding remarks .......................................................................................... 125 Annex .................................................................................................................. 127 4 List of acronyms & abbreviations CE - Choice Experiment CVM - Contingent Valuation Method CES