Infraestructura verde urbana: valoración del impacto de los bosques urbanos en los partidos de La Costa, Pinamar y Villa Gesell (provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina)

The objective of this work was to estimate the annual value generated by the tree component of the urban green infrastructure in the districts of La Costa, Pinamar and Villa Gesell (Buenos Aires province, Argentina) and to quantify the financial benefit associated with some actions of its management, applying the hedonic equations already published by the authors. A model was constructed that relates tree cover, number of dwellings, temporary rental values and the coefficient of two hedonic functions: one linear and the other log-linear (log-lin). Tree cover was calculated from 200 plots obtained from satellite images. The financial effect resulting from two resource management actions was also studied, using a benefit-cost analysis through two simulations: urban tree plan and real estate development. The value obtained for the tree component for the three districts ranges between 92,075,918 and 126,937,710 USD per year. Resource management with the linear model yields an NPV that fluctuates between 12,700 and 16,300 USD/ha and an IRR between 44 and 23%; the log-lin model generates an NPV between 4,200 and 5,700 USD/ha and an IRR between 18 and 29%. It is concluded that the tree component increases the value of urban green infrastructure, showing a favorable perception by inclusion of trees in coastal urban environments, given the positive effects on tourism, in particular, and society, in general, through the ecosystem services provided by urban forests