THIS PROJECT PROVIDES A SYSTEMATIC, MAP-BASED WAY TO ASSESS THE VALUES OF PARCELS OF LAND FOR WATER QUALITY, BIODIVERSITY, AND OTHER "SERVICES" AND A MEANS OF PROVIDING AN ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT OF THEIR VALUES, CALLED "PAYMENTS FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES". A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH WILL BE A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO APPLY THESE METHODS BEYOND THE COWASEE BASIN STUDY AREA. THE COWASEE BASIN IS A Y-SHAPED CONFLUENCE OF TWO MAJOR RIVERS IN THE "GREEN HEART" OF SOUTH CAROLINA. THESE RIVERS ARE USED BY MANY STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING FOR FISHING, HUNTING, WATER SPORTS, AND APPRECIATION OF NATURE. IT HAS SOME OF THE MOST EXTENSIVE BOTTOMLAND FORESTED WETLANDS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE LARGE PRESERVED TRACT IN CONGAREE NATIONAL PARK. ALSO, THESE RIVERS ARE PART OF THE WATER SUPPLY FOR DOWNSTREAM CITIES INCLUDING CHARLESTON AREA DEVELOPMENTS, AND FOR LARGE-SCALE AGRICULTURE. WATER QUALITY AND SUPPLY IN THIS REGION IS OF UTMOST POLICY CONCERN. ONE OUTCOME OF THE STUDY IS ANASESSMENT OF LANDOWNER UNDERSTANDING AND PERCEPTIONS OF THE VALUES PROVIDED BY WATERSHEDS, AND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO PARTCIPATE IN FUTURE VALUATION THAT COULD RESULT IN THEM RECEIVING PAYMENTS FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES. WE CHOSE THE COWASEE BASIN AS THE STUDY AREA FOR THE SEED STUDY BECAUSE IT IS INCLUDED IN THE GREATER SANTEE BASIN WHICH STRETCHES THROUGH MOST OF UPSTATE SC AND INTO NORTH CAROLINA. OUR LONG TERM GOAL IS TO APPLY THE METHODS LEARNED IN THE COWASEE BASIN THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THIS LARGER BASIN, AS WELL. A SHORT TERM BENEFIT OF THE PROJECT IS THAT STAKEHOLDERS IN THE REGION - WHO INCLUDE PRIVATE INDUSTRY, NOT-FOR-PROFIT LAND TRUSTS AND CONSERVATION GROUPS, AND COUNTY, LOCAL, AND STATE GOVERNMENT - WILL HAVE A RIGOROUS, MAPPED PLAN BASED ON A COST-BASED ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS FOR EACH MAJOR PARCEL IN THE BASIN. WE HAVE BEEN URGED BY THESE GROUPS TO HELP THEM MAKE SUCH A PLAN.