Ecosystem services of the Protected Natural Landscape Bahía de Naranjo, Holguín province, Cuba

Abstract

The sustainability of tourism activity requires management that allows, from an environmental point of view, the conceptualization of the ecosystem services that provide its development. Insufficient knowledge of these services limits the most appropriate alternatives for their protection and conservation. The research carried out in the Bahía de Naranjo Protected Natural Landscape aims to identify and prioritize the area ecosystem services; this is a key information for the biodiversity sustainable management. The results include: new knowledge about the ecosystem services and characterization of threats for their conservation and sustainable use. Ecosystem services were identified and rankeng according to it' s importance for the protected area's development objectives. The selected ecosystem services were established taking into account the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment classification and the Total Economic Value. The following methods were also used: analytical, documentary research, interview, and direct observation. Of the 30 identified ecosystem services, seven of them are priorities for the area's development plans. The result provides updated information useful to strengthen decision-making mechanisms in protected area management, where biodiversity and ecosystem services are included in development planning.