The Economic Value of Protected Areas in Romania

Natural ecosystems are extremely vulnerable to the ever-increasing changes in population growth and the increased need for resources. The economic capitalization of their constituent elements makes their degradation and conversion more profitable than conserving them. However, mankind is aware of the importance of nature, and over time has developed its policy and tools of protection and conservation to help it integrate its actions so that they respect the paradigm of sustainable development. Most functions of the ecosystem are also economic functions. Determining the economic value of an ecosystem is a laborious approach involving specific instruments that depend on many variables. These variables are induced by the innate/ natural transformations of the biogeographical environment or by particular situations generated by extreme phenomena. The presented study addresses the economic value of natural areas (with the example of Bucegi Natural Park -B.N.P.) in a methodological context focused on international studies, with results in certain protected areas in Romania. The established report has made possible to establish an economic value obtained not only from the revenues generated from the costs for visitors and jobs but also through the capitalization of the non-commercial benefits. The pressures and threats identified in protected areas have been an important element in our investigation. Natural activities (geological and geomorphological events, climate changes) and anthropogenic events (e.g. development of residential and commercial space, transport corridors and services, tourism activities) with all associated negative elements (pollution, hunting and overfishing, degradation) but it also involves costs. Dedicated by ever-changing legislation, inadequate financial support, and a faulty management approach, they tend to balance the balance against the benefits. The economic valorization of the components defining a protected natural area clearly represents an advantage for all involved in this process. This must be done within the limits of the legal framework in force but in the spirit of protection and respect for nature in all its forms.