Cambio climático y su posible efecto sobre los servicios ecosistémicos en dos parques nacionales de Costa Rica

In this article we present a valuation of the main ecosystem services of the Palo Verde and Rincón de la  Vieja National Parks, Costa Rica. The analysis consisted of an approximate valuation of their existence for society, employing a method called Chain Cluster and Unit Value Transference. Also, data from General Circulation Climate Models were used to analyze precipitation and temperature variations from 1979 to 2099, and to explore a possible impact in these ecosystem services in the future. Results showed that for 2017, the activities  around Palo Verde and Rincón de la Vieja generated US$89.9 million and US$95.7 million  respectively.  Analysis of the climate model output for both regions showed that on average, temperature would present future warming trends and drier precipitation conditions. Temperature trends are monotonic, while precipitation trends tend to be aggravated in the second half of the century. This means that the ecosystem services could be reduced in the future, as a result of an increase in the aridity.