An integrated cost–benefit assessment of invasive species restoration: combining remote sensing and contingent valuation to support decision-making

Invasive alien species (IAS) are linked to the extinction of numerous organisms, being a problem for which urgent measures must be taken. Their management requires robust decision-support tools capable of integrating ecological, economic and social impacts. Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) has been pointed out by groups such as the European Union as an important tool for making the right decisions in the IAS management. This study focuses on the restoration plots invaded by Acacia dealbata in SAC Sil Canyon (NW Spain), using a novel integrated assessment framework which links remote sensing (RS) and contingent valuation (CV) within an extended environmental cost–benefit analysis. Given that there is no data on Acacia occupancy in the study area, this estimate was previously made using Sentinel-2 data and a Random Forest algorithm with an accuracy of 98 %. This spatially explicit information was used to reduce uncertainty in restoration cost estimates and to improve the reliability of the economic assessment. Non-market benefits were monetized by CV, obtaining a median willingness to pay of 6.31 €/year for 50 years. After a sensibility analysis using a Monte Carlo simulation, it was obtained that the restoration would produce a net present value (NPV) of 2 793 476.09 € over a 120-year horizon, contributing mainly to this amount the non-market goods. The results demonstrate that integrating remote sensing and stated preference methods within an extended CBA provides a robust basis for evaluating invasive species management alternatives, supporting transparent and evidence-based environmental decision-making in protected areas.