This paper presents a potential monetary assessment of natural habitats based on a method worked out in 2003 in the Czech Republic. The assessment was prepared for the reclaimed flooded mining pit in Suszec. The analysis was focused on three variants of real and potential habitats from the reclaimed land. Natural values of the flooded mining pit have undergone changes due to afforestation reclamation activities. It has been calculated that the value of natural habitats expressed in numbers will decrease by 70.7% in comparison to the area prior to reclamation, whereas the monetary value of the natural habitats will decrease by 10,319,519.00 PLN. An important element of the assessment includes recognition, diagnosis and evaluation of the actual state of natural habitats by preparing a detailed inventory and determining the most valuable species of plants and animals as well as landscape values. Unfortunately, at present in Poland there is no clear and explicit method of estimating the assessment of lost natural value that would allow approximating the monetary value of a given terrain and determine the most favourable direction of its management. Application of monetary assessment of natural habitats requires its adjustment to Polish conditions. Due to the similarity of climate and geomorphological conditions in Central Europe, it is possible to adopt elements of habitat assessments used in the Czech Republic and in Germany. Natural habitat assessment will provide a solid base for preventing conflicts caused by the needs of economic development at the expense of local protection of the natural environment. As a result, it will be easier to achieve an agreement between different parties in the investment process, and, moreover, the assessment method will prevent additional financial losses, generated during the process of achieving functionality by the habitats. Correct analysis of the values of natural habitats may significantly reduce losses in the natural environment and aid in the selection and choice of the most relevant reclamation method.
Background. Nature-based tourism is becoming more and more popular. It is focused principally on natural resources, which can be found in different protected areas. One of them are the Natura 2000 sites, which constitute a key part of nature conservation in all European Union member states. The main aim of the paper was to evaluate the potential of natural habitats for nature-based tourism at Lower Silesian Natura 2000 sites. Material and methods. The main research materials are Standard Data Forms, the completion of which is obligatory for all European Natura 2000 sites. The research was conducted for 83 Lower Silesian sites. The authors took into account the types of habitats, their forms (priority or non-priority), coverage and degree of conservation. Results and conclusions. There are 2333 types of natural habitats at the analysed region. They cover 87 722.7 ha, most of which (62%) comprise forest habitats. They are mainly well (47%) and excellently (41%) conserved. There are 28 sites with the highest potential, which are situated in the Sudetes and their Foreland.
JavaScript is turned off in your web browser. Turn it on to take full advantage of this site, then refresh the page.