Economic Valuation of Benefits in Freshwater Ecosystems: Complex Wetlands System Belonging to the San Juan River in the Magdalena Medio Region, Colombia

This paper identifies and assesses the economic value of main natural benefits relating to complex system wetlands (CSW) belonging San Juan River in Colombian Magdalena Medio. is a region rich biodiversity resources, which past was hit by violence actions different armed groups. Benefit estimation takes into account diverse monetary valuation techniques, such as market prices for direct wetland uses transfer benefits, assessment indirect use non-use values. The results reveal that most important values relate ecotourism (60.1%) possible future CSW, benefit preventing flooding (28.4%), inhabits area (6.7%). All three represent total CSW. research also finds ecosystems currently provided CSW exceed opportunity cost, represented conversion livestock. Lastly, net present (NPV) 25 75 years, exceeds income from land livestock, revealing profitable investments conservation projects.