An assessment of wetland management scenarios: the case of Zazari–Cheimaditida (Greece)

This study suggests an integrated framework for the assessment of wetland management scenarios, based on a holistic approach of wetland ecosystems. All costs and benefits of management scenarios are estimated in terms of the value of wetland functions, which are indirectly valuated with a Contingent Valuation of goods and services they provide. The social impact of introducing the scenarios is also investigated with a stakeholder analysis, based on a survey. Scenario plausibility and acceptability are examined based on the results of the stakeholder analysis; on the other hand, the assessment of the scenarios, using cost-benefit analysis and multi-criteria analysis, provides quantitative performance indicators adequate to incorporate uncertainties and mutable policy objectives. This framework is applied to assess three management scenarios for a Greek wetland. The results indicate that the continuation of existing management practices is the most efficient alternative unless interventions for the restoration of wetland functions are conservatively budgeted, while a wetland drainage scenario performs poorly both in terms of economic efficiency and social impact.