The use of ecological integrity indicators within the natural capital index framework: The ecological and economic value of the remnant natural capital of México

In this paper, the ecological integrity hierarchy framework (EIHF) and the natural capital index framework (NCI) are integrated as decision-making tools for evaluating the natural capital of Mexico. Two hierarchy-levels of ecological integrity indicators are used to estimate the quality and quantity of the natural capital, the amount of ecological degradation and ecological sustainability. After human transformation, the extent still considered as “natural” in the country is ～67%; while the amount of human transformed areas is ～33%, which gives a total estimate of NCI = 0.334; i.e., only ～33.4% of the national capital remains available, while ～33% is ecologically degraded. Furthermore, the critical natural capital; i.e., the legacy for future generations that remains in the country is only ～12%. The total estimated value of the current natural capital in Mexico is ～$457.1 billion/yr, which is ～435 times greater than the national GDP ($1.051 billion in 2010). The cost of maintaining the degradation of the natural capital is ～$144.6 billion/yr (～138 times greater than national GDP in 2010). The potential value of the natural capital after restoration would be ～$602 billion/yr. Valuing the natural capital can be helpful for strategic environmental evaluations and useful for spatial decision support systems that evaluate natural capital as a decision-making tool.