Resumo

ORTIZ-PANIAGUA, Carlos Francisco  e  BONALES VALENCIA, Joel. Avocado Export Agriculture and Tourism in Michoacan. A Perspective from Social Preferences by Ecosystems Services. El periplo sustentable [online]. 2017, n.33, pp.452-485. ISSN 1870-9036.

The lake basin of Zirahuén is ecologically better preserved than other basins in Michoacán; such as, Pátzcuaro, Cuitzeo and Chapala. However, the accelerated change in the use of forest land by agriculture use and the conversion of traditional crops to the export crops, are deteriorating the environmental quality. This situation puts tourism at risk as an economic alternative for present and future generations, because it is based on the beauty, preservation and quality of the landscape, mainly. The present paper makes an estimation of the economic value of the recreational ecosystem service economic value demonstrating that there are social preferences for ecological and environmental attributes.

Palavras-chave : Economic Valuation; Ecosystem Services Recreation; Travel Costs; Lake of Zirahuén; Social Preferences and Discount Rate.