A user-oriented application for the economic evaluation of the CO2 sequestration function

Ecosystem services are essential for human survival, well-being, and prosperity. Their economic valuation plays a key role in sustainable environmental management and in tackling global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource scarcity. Rural and inland areas, often rich in ecosystem services but facing depopulation, can benefit from economic assessment through tools like Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), enabling better resource allocation for their regeneration. This research focuses on two key goals: (i) to develop metrics for mapping and economically valuing forest carbon dioxidesequestration using an innovative four-stage model integrating geospatial analysis with forest data and carbon benefits; and (ii) to create a Web-based application that maps forest categories, quantifies carbon sequestration per hectare, and assigns corresponding economic values. The process involves data extraction, transformation, and loading, followed by computational analysis to estimate sequestration rates. The resulting tool is designed to support decision-makers and stakeholders in formulating effective strategies for sustainable development and environmental management, benefiting both ecosystems and the communities that safeguard them.