Author(s)

J. C. Zanchetta-Chittka, V. A. Estruch-Guitart

Abstract

Straw rice cultivation in the area of the “Tancats” in the Natural Park of Albufera may suffer anaerobic degradation in humid conditions affecting water quality, impacting negatively on the lake’s ecosystem. To perform the impact valuation, during the 2013–2014 season, we first enumerate ecosystem goods and services generated by the Natural Park of the Albufera. Once the services are defined we proceed by using a multi-criteria analysis (AMUVAM) based on experts to evaluate how each of the services are affected by straw anaerobic fermentation. Finally, once hierarchical relevance of impacts is settled, we obtain the total economic impact by using AMUVAM analysis.

Keywords

rice straw, anaerobic fermentation, ecosystem services, AHP, economical valuation, environmental impact, AMUVAM