Author(s)

J. A. P. Vásquez

Abstract

In Colombia territory planning depends on the natural resources on offer. Due to this offer and environmental quality, the most convenient uses of ground are fixed to satisfy the social demand, and the ecosystem sustainability. Often, natural resource quality valuation is managed from an analytical view, because it considers the natural environment as an independent sum of parts, that is water sources, ground, atmosphere, forest, amongst others. This way of natural resource management leaves apart the dependence relationship between natural resources, necessary for their sustainability. Ignorance of these relations implies serious implications in ground uses because relations between resources could be destroyed. This paper proposes an approach to a methodology for ecological valuation of environmental quality from an analytical and systemic point of view (considering relations between natural resources). The methodology allows us to estimate in a quantitative way the environmental values, such as intrinsic conservation value and relative conservation value, using environmental quality criteria and Colombia’s environmental regulations. Keywords: natural resources, conservation value, environmental quality, territory planning. 1 Introduction Estevan [1] considers territorial planning as a basic element for Public Environmental Management, which allows environmental considerations in land use to be included in planning processes, then becoming a management instrument. Besides, it becomes an essential element to make decisions in relation to use, protection, defense, and improvement of natural resources. Although Law 388, 1997 [2] has been a base for the country’s territorial planning processes, it does not explicitly take into account a way to integrate the

Keywords

natural resources, conservation value, environmental quality, territory planning.