Geological Survey

Description

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Fort Collins Science Center, is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research on the economic value of water ecosystem services supported by healthy forests in Northern New Mexico. Although forests throughout Northern New Mexico are still relatively intact, increased fire intensity and severity in recently decades has exposed the potential risk of disrupting forests health and the beneficial services they provide to this region. This is especially relevant to the residents who live in the Rio Grande River Valley, including the City of Santa Fe and the City of Albuquerque. These cities, as well as downstream users, rely on clean water supplied by forests for drinking water, agriculture, ranching, habitat for wildlife, and outdoor recreation. Understanding the publicâ¿¿s preferences for these water services maintained by a healthy forests can facilitate more informed management decisions. To support this information need, a stated preference nonmarket valuation method will be combined with a survey to monetize the economic value of the ecosystem services provided by forests in the Northern New Mexico. These results will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the economic costs and benefits of management and land use changes that affect forest health and the ecosystem services provided by them.

Who can apply

• Others

Contact

Faith Graves 703-648-7356<br/>fgraves@usgs.gov<br/>
fgraves@usgs.gov