Incorporation of Ecosystem Services Valuation in System Dynamics Models: Case Study of Mekong Flooded Forest Landscape

Abstract

Aim of the thesis is to evaluate a monetary value of a flow of ecosystem services from forest area in rural tropical regions of Cambodia. Evaluation is used for deeper comprehension of costs and benefits of deforestation. A system dynamic model was developed to capture change in land use as consequence forest clearing. Assessment of effects of land use changes was conducted via calculation of many indicators portraying development in production of timber, government’s tax revenue, social cost of carbon, availability on non-timber forest products, profitability of tree plantations and more. A set of different future scenarios is presented based on which new policies for maximization of benefits can be implemented.