4 th ESP International Conference 2011 Ecosystem Services: Integrating Science and Practice ESTIMATING THE USE VALUE OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES IN THE YALOVA THERMAL SPRING, TURKEY 04/10/ :30 Wageningen, Nederland Assist.Prof.Dr. Nur BELKAYALI Prof.Dr. Nevin AKPINAR

A successful conservation also begins with the rational land use planning. Introduction The long-term sustainability of ecosystems and the services they generate depend on the conservation of biodiversity on a landscape scale.

Sustainable land use can be carried out in realization of demand, Introduction maintain a balance between the conservation of current and future productivity of the ecosystems. meeting the needs also expectations for the growing population and

determining the value of provided benefits of the available resources with the rational use and thus ensuring the sustainability of the resources with taken into account the current and future benefits of the environmental elements. Introduction Estimating the use value of ecosystem services is a method for determining the populations needs and expectations. The main objective of estimating the natural and cultural resources economic value is;

Introduction Thermal resources can be used; to improve in health, to heal and to freshen. In this study we estimated the use value of ecosystem services in the Yalova Thermal Spring. Thermal sources are one of the non-monetary natural resources and have positive effects on human health.

When we analyzed Yalova Thermal Spring, we determined that the primary gain in ecosystem services have been recreation Research Area tourism

Yalova Thermal Spring is an important resource in the field of thermal tourism in Turkey. It has an importance and potential in terms of natural-cultural resources and landscapes values. Research Area

Yalova Thermal is in northwestern of Turkey, and located in the southeast sector of the Marmara region. Research area is in the Termal district which is connected to Yalova city.

Yalova Thermal Spring is located in acres of natural forests, within archaeological and historical sites. Research Area

Method Travel Cost Method (TCM), is aiming to estimate the recreational use value of area with determining current demand. The assumption is accepted the travel cost equal to; transportation cost and time opportunity cost which spent for a recreation tour

Method Demand function is estimated between travel costs and number of visits. v=f(c,x) In the formula; v: number of visits, c: travel costs, x: all other variables So, the accepted assumption is consists of a travel- production function that defined the relationship between the demand for area and incurred expenses.

The main material of the study established from the face to face surveys that applied to the selected visitors through simple random sampling method. Results 154 surveys applied in 2 different languages; Turkish, English.

Results Survey data have been made numerical by the help of SPSS 15.0 for Windows program and database was created.

Results person visited Yalova Thermal Spring in 2007.

Firstly function tests were made to set the demand model variables. Results Table 1. Coefficients for travel cost method

Results In the calculation of consumer rant firstly individuals consumer rant calculated. Consumer rant for the semi-logarithmic function type is as follows: Consumer rant CR YL =q/- β YL CR: individual consumer rant q: individuals average visit number β : the slope of demand function (expense coefficient)

Results In the formula q value is equal to the average of the visit total of the participating 154 visitors within a year. This value is 3,12. If this value replaced in the formula, individual consumer rant is equal to

When we calculated the coefficients only for tourist who come to Yalova Thermal Spring for health tourism: Results Table 2. Coefficients for travel cost method

Results According to survey results which conducted to tourist who come to Yalova Thermal Spring for health tourism, q value is equal to 4,55. If this value replaced in the formula, individual consumer rant is equal to

According to the travel cost method, the annual consumer surplus value; Conclusions ,91 per year was estimated for Yalova Thermal Spring. Total Consumer Rant= x visitor

Also according to survey results which conducted to tourist who come to Yalova Thermal Spring for health tourism, annual consumer surplus value; Conclusions ,46 /year was estimated for Yalova Thermal Spring.

According to the results obtained from the study, the higher ecosystem service value was determined for the health tourism use of Yalova Thermal Spring. Conclusions In conclusion, So if a planning decision about the future of Yalova Thermal Spring will be taken, it should not be overlooked that spring has a higher value for health tourism use.