Valoração de ativos ambientais : uma leitura dos impactos socioambientais de pequenas centrais hidrelétricas

Abstract

The environmental valuation it is important tool for determining the value of goods that have no defined market. The construction of hydroelectric developments Dreher and Kotzian, located in Salto do Jacuí and Júlio de Castilhos - RS, respectively, promote direct impacts on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and, therefore, affect the general welfare of individuals. These areas directly affected, due to its characteristics of non-rivalry and non-enclosing, are public goods. The contingent valuation method consists in a technique that allows determining the economic value of a public good. In summary, this investigation aims to determine the economic value of the area directly affected by the construction of hydroelectric developments. Also sought in the research, identify and analyze the participants' perception about the construction of dams and the use of natural resources. To achieve our goals, we applied 916 questionnaires, 476 residents in the city of Salto do Jacuí and 440 residents in Julio de Castilhos. The results showed that family income, age, education, the bid amount offered are important variables to explain the probability of an individual is willing to contribute to the recovery, conservation and environmental protection of the area directly affected by the construction of small hydroelectric - PCH. It was evident that, in the design of the respondents, the hierarchy of needs was an important factor in development of their perceptions.