Marina Nikolova
THE NEED TO EVALUATE ECOSYSTEM BENEFITS
Abstract:
To preserve our environment means to preserve the soil, the water, and the natural resources, i.e. life on our planet. And indeed, unspoilt nature is not only a prerequisite, but also valuable capital for doing business successfully, i.e. developing eco-tourism, organic farming, sustainable forestry, etc. On the one hand, managerial decisions which employ environmentally friendly production methods in our country make it possible to manage eco-systems (and bio-diversity in general). On the other hand, eco-systems provide a wide range of useful services and thus improve the quality of our life and create favourable conditions for the long-term well-being of people. The value of eco-systems will increasingly continue to grow in the future, mainly due to the loss of eco-systems.
Therefore, the need to evaluate the services provided by eco-systems is becoming more obvious. Conscientious management of natural capital and services provided by eco-systems lead to increased social and economic sustainability not only at a regional and national level, but on a European and global scale as well.
