Economic Analysis of the Tourism and Its Impacts in the Ecosystems Services for the Coastal Area in Baja California Sur

José Isabel Urciaga Garcia, Judith Juarez Mancilla, Placido Cruz Chavez, Claudia Lorena Lauterio Martinez 
(Universidad Autónoma de Baja California Sur, La Paz, BCS 23080, Mexico)

Abstract: Changes in land use from coastal areas affects the ability of natural resources to provide ecosystem services, disturbing the sustainability of the global system. Marine and coastal ecosystems as major providers of services are especially sensitive to the direct and indirect promoters of global change, habitat modification, and introduction of invasive species, over-exploitation and climate change. Management of coastal areas has been a challenge due to the complexity of the ecosystems; difficulties are exacerbated by business growth, urban and tourism in coastline. The expansion of human settlements as a result of housing development and tourism megaprojects has produced significant changes in environmental services and requires priority attention to mitigate anthropogenic effects. This study is a first approach to characterization of interaction between tourism, coastal and marine ecosystems and their value in Baja California Sur.

Key words: land use; ecosystem services; tourism; Baja California sur

JEL codes: L80, L83, Q57, R14, R52, Y91