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Abstract
Assessment of economic losses caused by forest fires is a highly complex but important activity. It is complicated first by the large number of effects, in different periods, brought about in the social, economic and environmental fields. Secondly, the difficulty of assigning a market value to resources such as biodiversity or endangered species should be mentioned. It is important because it allows showing, with numbers, how much is lost each time one of these phenomena occurs, which can help in the decision-making process for resource allocation. This paper presents the methodology used in Cuba for estimating economic losses caused by forest fires. It is the result of the practical experience gained with similar methodologies and research work carried out. It bases its estimates of direct losses on indicators such as: reforestation losses, harvested timber losses, standing timber losses, nontimber forest product losses, suppression losses, and protection work losses. In this methodology, indirect losses may be many times higher than the possible results obtained from factors such as fire size, the slope of the land, vegetation structure, the recovery time of vegetation cover and the percentage damage to vegetation cover. The application of the methodology in a 6 ha-area covered by a plantation of
Pinuscaribae Morelet, var.
caribaea allowed estimating losses totaling 508,121.04 Cuban pesos (240,331.47 USD).
Parent Publication
Citation
Rodríguez, Marcos Pedro Ramos; Rodríguez, Raúl González. 2013. Methodology used in Cuba for estimating economic losses caused by forest fires. In: González-Cabán, Armando, tech. coord. Proceedings of the fourth international symposium on fire economics, planning, and policy: climate change and wildfires. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-GTR-245 (English). Albany, CA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station: 152-162.
