Ecosystem Services Valuation and Ecohydrological Management in Salt Lakes with Advanced Dynamic Optimisation Strategies

Abstract

In this work, we propose a mathematical model within a dynamic optimization framework to address management and economic valuation of ecosystem services in a salt lake basin, located in a semiarid region in Argentina (Chasicó Lake). Ecosystem services are valuated by considering water, land and food provision, water flows and disturbance regulation, as well as cultural aspects. Numerical results provide useful insights on optimal management strategies effects and how they can improve services provided by the ecosystem under study.