The value of natural capital in Canada’s national parks and national marine conservation areas

Abstract

Growing attention is being given to protected areas and the ability of their natural capital assets to provide a varied and long-term stream of benefits to individuals and society in general. These areas are often heralded for ensuring natural capital assets persist, but value is often limited to the economic impact of visitor expenditures and the associated effects on regional and national economies. Few studies have attempted to quantify the economic value of natural capital assets in protected areas, especially in Canada. This study uses a benefit transfer approach to produce an initial estimate of the potential economic value of ecosystem services and natural capital associated with the terrestrial and marine environments in Canada’s federal system of national parks and national marine conservation areas. The results suggest that the economic value of these assets ranges between CA$ 156 billion and CA$ 588 billion annually.