Society’s interest in the numerous services offered by wetlands is growing. For this reason, a study was developed and published in conjunction with the Grenelle Environmental Project in order to calculate the environmental benefits for society as well as the costs linked to the acquisition of 20,000 ha.
The Grenelle Environmental Project foresees the acquisition of 20,000 hectares of wetlands by the French Coastal and Lakeshore Conservation Agency and the Water Agencies by the year 2015, in order to preserve them.
Given that most planning and management decisions are made according to economic factors, it is interesting to determine if the wetlands acquisition project can be justified beyond the ecological interest using an economic analysis. That is why a study was completed and published in June by the French Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development (MEEDDM). It shows that this ecosystem conservation policy is at first glance justified because of the benefits wetlands provide society: services given are estimated between 405 and 1 400 M€ during a period of 50 years, for an acquisition cost and maintenance on the same period estimated at 200 to 300 M€.
In addition, in order to refine these findings and develop the methods needed to evaluate these benefits, an economic evaluation study of three wetlands is currently being carried out, by the General Commission on Sustainable Development.