Valuing the Recreational Benefits from the Creation of Nature Reserves in Irish Forests

Riccardo Scarpa; Susan M. Chilton; W. George Hutchinson; Joseph Buongiorno

doi:10.1016/s0921-8009(99)00143-3

Treesearch

Valuing the Recreational Benefits from the Creation of Nature Reserves in Irish Forests

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Riccardo Scarpa, Susan M. Chilton, W. George Hutchinson, Joseph Buongiorno

Year:

2000

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Southern Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1016/s0921-8009(99)00143-3

Source:

Eoological Economies 33 (2000) 237-250

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Abstract

Data from a large-scale contingent valuation study are used to investigate the effects of forest attribum on willingness to pay for forest recreation in Ireland. In particular, the presence of a nature reserve in the forest is found to significantly increase the visitors' willingness to pay. A random utility model is used to estimate the welfare change associated with the creation af nature reserves in all the Irish forests currently without one. The yearly impact on visitors' economic welfare of new nature reserves approaches half a million pounds per annum, exclusive of non-recreational values.

Keywords

Non-market valuation, Contingent valuation, Forest attributes analysis, Nature reserves

Citation

Scarpa, Riccardo; Chilton, Susan M.; Hutchinson, W. George; Buongiorno, Joseph. 2000. Valuing the Recreational Benefits from the Creation of Nature Reserves in Irish Forests. Eoological Economies 33 (2000) 237-250