Valora??o econ?mica ambiental como ferramenta de conserva??o dos recursos hídricos: uma proposta de auxílio na gest?o da APA do Macaé de Cima, RJ

摘要

This article discusses the importance of the use of evaluation methods in the management of Environmental Protection Areas (APAs), in order to provide the necessary tools for the management of APA - Macaé de Cima/RJ, still under development. Thus, the paper presents some concepts related to the study of natural resource economics, emphasizing ways of evaluating tropical ecosystems. The article proposes that water resources should be analyzed by using contextualization of environmental appraisal methods that show the importance of water resources for local society and associated ecosystems.