Abstract

(Introduction): The sandy coastal vegetation located in Guanahacabibes National Park in Cuba offers various environmental goods and services, including recreation. This ecosystem is part of the ecotourism trails marketed in the area. It has been damaged by coastal flooding caused by extreme events, such as Hurricane Wilma (2005).

(Objective): To assess the recreational benefit of sandy coastal vegetation and damage caused by coastal flooding

(Methodology): An approximation of the zonal travel costs method without equidistance was used in a sample of visitors who practice hiking associated with the vegetation of the sandy coast, in 2016.

(Results): Hurricane Wilma produced moderate to severe coastal flooding that affected 70 to 80 percent of the area of sandy coastal vegetation. The negative impact it caused on the ecosystem is highly significant in the damage hierarchy. The recreational benefit of observing the sandy coastal vegetation associated with the ecotourism trails had an approximate value of 63,996 USD for the year 2016, while the individual wellness value was 15 USD.

(Conclusions): It can be inferred that a hurricane similar to Wilma will produce a similar effect on the vegetation of the sandy coast and, at the same time, a possible loss of environmental quality; the procedure used and the estimated recreational value for this ecosystem is a precedent.

Keywords: coastal flooding; consumer surpluses; travel costs method