Scientists and policymakers in Colombia have developed a groundbreaking natural capital account for the Sinú River Basin, demonstrating the significant economic benefits of preserving native ecosystems. Published in Communications Earth & Environment, the study reveals that the region’s ecosystems provide sediment retention services worth $100 million annually, equivalent to 1.7% of the local GDP.
The Upper Sinú Basin, which includes tropical rainforests and dry forests, plays a critical role in sustaining hydropower, agriculture, and drinking water supplies downstream. However, deforestation from cattle ranching and illegal logging threatens these benefits by increasing sediment buildup in waterways. The new natural capital account, developed using the United Nations System of Environmental-Economic Accounting (SEEA EA) framework, quantifies how ecosystems like forests and savannas mitigate these risks.
Notably, the study found that forests, though covering smaller areas, deliver higher monetary value due to their importance for hydropower, while savannas benefit water utilities. The research also projects that a planned aqueduct could increase the value of these ecosystem services by 12% by expanding clean water access.
Led by Stanford University’s Natural Capital Project and Colombia’s National Planning Department (DNP), the study combined local stakeholder input with biophysical data to ensure policy relevance. “This approach connects ecosystems to the people who depend on them,” said lead scientist Héctor Angarita. The findings aim to guide investments in conservation, such as payments for ecosystem services, and inform infrastructure planning.
The Colombian government plans to use these insights to incentivize nature protection, particularly in protected areas. The methodology is also being shared with other countries, offering a replicable model for aligning economic development with environmental sustainability.
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