Estimating the value of preserving the Manchurian black bear using the contingent valuation method

Abstract

Although non-consumptive wildlife use is increasingly in demand, its preservation value is not estimated with sufficient accuracy. This study estimates the value of the endangered Manchurian black bear associated with preservation programmes (hereafter, “preservation value”) using a dichotomous choice contingent valuation method in a real-world setting. Since using a hypothetical setting in the contingent valuation method tends to overestimate willingness to pay (WTP), a specially designed field experimental survey was used to incorporate a real-world setting and thereby reduce hypothetical bias, ultimately increasing the accuracy of the estimated WTP. The survey results show that when the responses from the hypothetical setting and real-world setting are compared, the estimated WTP based on the hypothetical setting is higher than that based on the real-world setting. Thus, the real-world setting appears to be effective in terms of reducing hypothetical bias. The preservation value indicated in the real-world setting is estimated at US $4.99 per household for visitors to Chirisan National Park in South Korea, and the annual aggregate preservation value is estimated at US $3.66 million when considering total visitor households. The WTP results show that visitors to Chirisan National Park strongly support preservation programmes for this endangered wildlife species.     

Local level criteria and indicator frameworks: A tool used to assess aboriginal forest ecosystem values

Although the importance of aboriginal knowledge, values and perspectives in sustainable development has been recognised for many decades, worldwide examples exist showing that aboriginal involvement is less then effective. How and where to include aboriginal needs and goals has however been problematic. Ultimately, aboriginal forest values need to be considered with scientific strategies and their role and compatibility with forest conditions needs to be explored. Criteria and indicator (C&I) frameworks can be used as a platform to include community needs and goals in management decisions. This review compares aboriginal forest ecological perspectives defined by Canadian local level C&I frameworks with non-aboriginal local level C&I frameworks to identify their differences at the indicator level. Three major themes mark the differences between aboriginal and non-aboriginal indicators: (1) aboriginal frameworks introduce ecological indicators of cultural importance; (2) there is an aesthetic concern for forest operations especially if they affect cultural owners; and (3) indicators regarding the access to resources are more complex and include the sustainability of the productivity, proximity, integrity and quality of resources used in traditional activities. Results show that First Nation forest sustainability issues are in effect a combination of forest conditions and values. Inclusion of forest values in C&I frameworks is necessary because: (1) aboriginal communities do not dissociate culture from the environment and thus forest values from forest condition, (2) they have an impact on resulting forest management strategies and decisions, and (3) they offer a holistic approach to sustainability issues and a better picture of local environmental contexts.     

The effect of coverage level and premium subsidy on farmers’ participation in forest insurance: An empirical analysis of forest owners in Hunan Province of China

ABSTRACT

In forest insurance policy, coverage level and premium subsidy are two important factors that affect farmers’ decision to be insured. This paper uses data from a survey of farmers in Hunan Province of China. First, a single-bounded dichotomous-choice valuation method is used to estimate the average amount that the farmers are willing to pay (WTP) for forest insurance. The results show that farmers’ average WTP is 0.65 RMB/acre (Chinese currency is referred as RMB), which is lower than the premium level prescribed in the existing forest insurance implementation program. Second, an acreltiple-bound dichotomous-choice valuation method is used to study farmers’ WTP for acreltiple coverage levels. Results show that when coverage equals 500 RMB/acre, 1,000 RMB/acre, and 2,000 RMB/acre, the median value of the premium level of farmers’ WTP is 0.922 RMB/acre, 1.954 RMB/acre and 2.893 RMB/acre, respectively. In a situation where the current premium rates are unchanged, and the coverage level is 500 RMB/acre, 1,000 RMB/acre, or 2,000 RMB/acre, the models predict the subsidy ratio should be 53.90, 51.15 and 63.84%, respectively. Improving the coverage level of existing forest insurance policies can significantly increase farmers’ expected rate of insurance.     

国家公园野生生物保护管理研究进展

国家公园的管理目标是保护生态系统和提供游憩机会。文中概述不同国家和地区国家公园的野生生物保护管理措施, 通过分析国家公园管理原则、政策法律、原住民参与、游客教育和野生生物监测等对野生生物保护的作用和意义, 为我国国家公园建设和管理中野生生物的保护提供借鉴。     

Nonmarket Benefits of Reducing Environmental Effects of Potential Wildfires in Beetle-Killed Trees: A Contingent Valuation Study

We estimated Colorado households’ nonmarket values for two forest management options for reducing intensity of future wildfires and associated nonmarket environmental effects wildfires. The first policy is the traditional harvesting of pine beetle-killed trees and burning of the slash piles of residual materials on-site. The second involves harvesting but moving the residual material off-site and converting it into biochar, thus reducing some of the risk and environmental effects associated with burning on-site. A contingent valuation method mail survey was used to evaluate these two management options. The survey achieved a 47% response rate. We used a nonparametric Turnbull estimator to calculate the willingness to pay (WTP) for burn on-site and off-site biochar conversion. The calculated WTP for burn on-site and off-site biochar conversion options (beyond the cost of the status quo level of forest treatment) is $411 and $470 per household per year, respectively.     

A financial analysis of a silvopasture system in southern Mississippi

Silvopasture is reemerging as a land use in the southern US. Alternate land use treatments based on field trials for timber and pasture for beef cattle production were financially evaluated. Multiple-use management aspects of these systems were further illustrated by the addition of fee hunting. Land Expectation Values (LEVs) were lower when silvopasture treatments were compared to steer grazing only. However, silvopasture treatments compared favorably to some grazing treatments. LEVs were higher when silvopasture treatments were compared to commercial forest plantation applications on similar sites. Silvopasture systems promote multiple-use management of the land under an environmentally friendly cropping system whereby certain types of wildlife can thrive. This is particularly relevant in light of recent increases in fee hunting in the South. LEVs were reduced by $289, $200, and $151 ha⁻¹ at discount rates of 5%, 7%, and 9% respectively, when fee hunting was excluded in the recommended silvopasture treatment. The monetary value of a wildlife component in this system can be interpreted as the expected value gained per hectare per rotation in perpetuity when fee hunting is part of the management plan. On average, it represented an 8.6% gain in LEVs for this treatment. Results from this study support the potential for silvopasture applications in the South for private landowners. Cattle grazing of improved forage in commercially productive loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) stands can relieve annual cash flow problems inherent in tree production. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

扎龙湿地非使用价值评价研究

采用条件价值法,通过调查消费者的支付意愿,研究了扎龙湿地的非使用价值.扎龙湿地的非使用价值为49.34亿元·a-1,其中存在价值为30.19亿元·a-1,遗产价值为13.62亿元·a-1,选择价值为5.53亿元·a-1,扎龙湿地人均支付意愿值(WTP)为40元·a-1;职业、文人程度、了解程度、偏爱程度与支付意愿呈极显著相关关系;性别、技术职称、收入水平与支付意愿不相关.年龄、职业、了解程度、偏爱程度与WTP值均极显著相关;性别与WTP值显著相关,而与技术职称、收入水平不相关.     

Community and ecotourist perceptions of forest conservation benefits:a case study of Mabira Central Forest Reserve,Uganda

The different interests in forest resources by various stakeholders may result in differences in perceived value of forest conservation. In order to test this hypothesis, we compared the valuation by international ecotourists and local respondents of the perceived benefits of the Mabira Central Forest Reserve. The factors that influenced respondents’ valuation of forest conservation were also investigated. Describing a hypothetical scenario to elicit respondents’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) for forest conservation was the central part of the questionnaire. The WTP;income ratio was used to estimate respondents’ perceived value of forest conservation. A chi-square (χ ²) test indicated significant association between respondent category (local and tourist) and categories of perceived benefits (p-value = 0.001). The locals were more interested in direct-use values while the tourists showed greater interest in the indirect-use values. A Student's t-test showed that the WTP:income ratios of the locals were much higher than for the ecotourists (p-value < 0.001). This implies that the local communities had a higher valuation of forest conservation than the ecotourists. Regression analysis revealed that all other factors being constant, the WTP of respondents who perceived direct- and indirect-use value as the most important forest benefit was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than those who perceived no value by $5.8693 and $0.02628, respectively. The respondents who rated the contribution of the ecotourism project to community development as moderate had a significantly higher WTP compared to those who rated it as low by $6.6908. Overall, these results indicate that the benefits people derive from the forest either through direct or indirect uses influence valuation of forest conservation. Results also indicate that although ecotourismrelated benefits improved attitudes towards forest conservation, ecotourism alone may not be an adequate conservation tool because of the limited support it can provide to the local community.     

The prospect of wildlife tourism

The paper extends an overview of the worldwided velopment of wildlife tourism, introduced the conception of wildlife tourism and its components, and analyzed the development of international wildlife tourism and its international trends. The sustainability of wildlife tourism, the protection of wildlife habitat, as well as the possible impacts of wildlife tourism development in China were discussed.     

How much are wood-based cellulosic biofuels worth in the Pacific Northwest? Ex-ante and ex-post analysis of local people's willingness to pay

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) provided a grant to establish a wood-based cellulosic biofuels industry in the US Pacific Northwest. Whether the industry will be sustainable depends largely on social acceptability in general and market acceptability of the biofuels among the public in particular. We conducted contingent valuation surveys of general public in the US states of Oregon and Washington to determine people's willingness to pay (WTP) for wood-based cellulosic biofuels and the factors that influence their WTP decisions. Oregon has an existing cellulosic biorefinery, while Washington's biorefineries are only being planned, allowing us to conduct an ex-ante (Washington) versus ex-post (Oregon) WTP comparison. We sent out mail surveys to 2828 valid mailing addresses between May and July of 2015 and received 757 completed surveys. We used the distribution-free Turnbull estimator to estimate the expected WTP and logistic regression to determine the relative strength of predictors on WTP. About one fifth (18.8%) of the respondents were willing to pay some premium for wood-based cellulosic biofuels. The mean WTP amount was $0.19 ± $0.03/gal. (95% confidence interval: $0.17 to $0.21), which equates to a 6.4% price premium on top of the market price for gasoline. Logistic regression results showed that the offered bid price, knowledge on biofuels, age and religious affiliation of respondents were statistically significant predictors of WTP decisions. No significant differences in ex-ante versus ex-post WTP were observed. We also discussed the policy implications of these results for sustainable management of the wood-based cellulosic biofuels industry.     

Partnership Building for Sustainable Development: An Industry Perspective from Saskatchewan

Abstract

Weyerhaeuser chose to become a partner of the Prince Albert Model Forest primarily for two reasons: to strengthen relationships with other forest stakeholders, most notably the Montreal Lake Cree Nation, and to create in the Model Forest an accurate database about Saskatchewan forests.

Both of these goals have been and continue to be realized. Montreal Lake and other forest users have participated in projects with Weyerhaeuser. The company provides technical training and jobs to First Nations people. Weyerhaeuser has also begun to incorporate some research results into its operations as a means of addressing environmental impacts on biodiversity and wildlife habitat.     

Public attitudes about forest pest outbreaks and control: Case studies in two Canadian provinces

A public mail survey was sent to a sample of New Brunswick (NB) and Saskatchewan (SK) residents in 2007 to investigate their attitudes about controlling two very different forest pests: spruce budworm (SBW) (Choristoneura fumiferana) and forest tent caterpillar (FTC) (Malacosoma disstria). Participants were asked a series of questions related to their knowledge of these pests and their preferences over control options and program extents. SBW was the most widely known forest pest in NB, and FTC was most widely known in SK. Both groups largely supported (at over 80%) controlling future SBW and FTC outbreaks with biological control. They generally agreed that ecologically sensitive areas and wildlife habitat were the top priority that should be protected during the next outbreak of either pest. However, provincial differences in attitudes were found over the rank order of forest-type priorities that should be protected and the rank order of control options. Socio-demographic factors found to positively influence the preferred SBW and FTC control extent included those who had a high level of pest knowledge, those who had family members work in the forest industry, those who were residents in New Brunswick, those who were male, those who were aged 55 and over, those who had an education level beyond secondary school, and those who had household income of $50,000 or more. Results of this study can be used to assist policy makers and forest managers to arrive at publically acceptable pest control policies and make better informed decisions about future pest outbreaks.     

The economics of carbon sequestration through pest management: application to forested landbases in New Brunswick and Saskatchewan,Canada

This analysis employs a spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana Clem.) decision support system to examine costs and benefits of sequestering (protecting) carbon in forests through pest management. We analyzed 24 alternative spruce budworm protection scenarios for outbreaks on Prince Albert Forest Management Area (PAFMA) in Saskatchewan and Crown License 1 in New Brunswick. Scenarios included two outbreak severities (moderate and severe), three protection frequencies (very aggressive—protecting every year of the outbreak; aggressive—protecting the peak 3 years of outbreak; and semi-aggressive—protecting every second year of outbreak), and four protection program sizes (10,000 ha, 25,000 ha, 100,000 ha, or 150,000 ha). Under a severe outbreak, the largest (150,000 ha), very aggressive protection scenario provided the highest net CO₂ protected at 24.95 million metric tons (Mt) in PAFMA and 29.19 Mt in License 1. This protection scenario also provided the highest net present value at $64.23 M and $91.36 M in PAFMA and License 1, respectively. On the other hand, benefit/cost ratios were maximized under the smallest (10,000 ha) protection size at 11.90 and 15.37 using the aggressive and semi-aggressive protection frequencies in PAFMA and License 1, respectively. Finally, the discounted cost per ton of CO₂ protected was minimized at $0.48 and $0.37 using the smallest aggressive and semi-aggressive protection frequencies in PAFMA and License 1, respectively. The comparable costs and benefits from the moderate outbreak scenarios were similar, but generally less than, the severe outbreak scenarios. These results provide forest managers with important information needed to justify such carbon sequestration programs on economic grounds.     

Estimating the non-market costs and benefits of native woodland restoration using the contingent valuation method

The restoration of native forests is an important priority forforestry and conservation organizations in the United Kingdom.The economic case for public sector support for native woodlandrestoration in the United Kingdom rests almost entirely on theprovision of non-market benefits related to wildlife, landscapeand recreational opportunities. This paper describes a discretechoice contingent valuation (CV) to estimate the value of thenon-market benefits of restoring two native pinewood forestsin Affric and Strathspey. If only the willingness to pay (WTP)of those who supported the restoration plan was considered,the average benefit estimate per household was £35 forAffric and £53 for Strathspey. When the compensation requiredby a small proportion of respondents who preferred the currentmoorland landscape, was estimated mean WTP was unchanged forAffric, but fell to £24 for Strathspey. The study highlightsthe need to take account of non-market benefits and costs whenevaluating land use change, otherwise benefits may be overestimatedand there is a possibility that the wrong projects will be selected.The sensitivity of CV values to the scope of the environmentalchange are also investigated and the issue of embedding discussed.     

城市绿色生态系统游憩服务支付意愿及价值评估——以武汉市青山区为例

指出了游憩服务是城市绿色生态系统的重要功能,采用Spearman相关系数、二元Logistic和有序Ordinal模型,研究了居民对青山区绿色生态系统游憩服务的支付意愿和金额的影响因素,并对其游憩服务进行价值评估。结果表明:62.6%的受访居民有支付意愿,居民不愿支付的主要原因是“应由政府出资”,其次是距离较远,可达性较差,从而影响人们的支付意愿;居民年龄和对青山区城市绿色生态系统的满意程度对支付意愿有显著负影响,居民受教育程度和对城市绿色生态系统的满意度对支付金额有显著负影响,居民对城市绿色生态系统的了解程度对支付金额有显著正影响。满意度对居民支付意愿和金额的敏感性最大;受访居民支付意愿为88.93~142.06元/(年·人),青山区城市绿色生态系统游憩价值为9.57~15.29亿元。     

A Nondestructive,Remote Sensing-Based Estimation of the Economic Value of Aboveground Temperate Forest Biomass (Case Study: Hyrcanian Forests,Nowshahr-Iran)

ABSTRACT

Background: Traditional field-based methods of measurement of biomass and carbon storage face difficulty in collecting time-consuming and expensive, suggests the use of remote sensing-based techniques. It estimates the economic value of the aboveground biomass (AGB) using satellite remote sensing across the Hyrcanian forests of Iran. Methods: The Landsat-8 OLI sensor data were combined with field-based allometric information of 186 circular sample plots. The AGB was calculated at the plot level using the collected data and specific volumetric mass for species in the studied area. It was followed by calculating the carbon storage using a 50% carbon coefficient and the photosynthesis equation at the forest parcel level. Model results using the random forest and support vector machines. The carbon sequestration value was calculated with USD 25.3 as a shadow value of carbon in 2014 and using the replacement cost approach. Results: The highest performances achieved by RF for biomass, carbon storage and the carbon storage value (Iranian Rials of 0.67% and 16%, respectively). The value was derived once at the plot level of 12.22 million IRR (370.43 USD) per ha. In addition, at the parcel level, which resulted in an estimated value of 12.87 million IRR (390.24 USD) per ha.     

Aboriginal Use of Non-Timber Forest Products in Northw estern North America

Summary

Aboriginal peoples in northwestern North America hav e traditionally used hundreds of different forest plants for food, materials and medicines. Plant products have also been economically important as trading goods. Today there are excellent prospects for aboriginal people to participate in the harvesting and marketing of non-timber forest products, but there are serious issues of access to and control of resources, respect of intellectual property rights, and concerns for conservation of plants and ecosystems that must be addressed. We provide an overview of past, current and potential use of NTFPs by aboriginal peoples in British Columbia and neighboring areas, and discuss the relevant issues and concerns, with recommendations about how these can be accommodated.     

嵩山山地陆生野生动物资源调查

为摸清嵩山山地地理单元(Eb02-1)野生动物种类及数量情况,共设置20 个10 km×10 km 的 调查样区,应用标准化的方法和技术,采用样点、样线及红外相机相结合的方法,对鸟类、兽类、爬行 类和两栖类4 大类进行常规调查。结果表明,嵩山山地动物资源丰富,共调查到鸟类152 种,36 453 只;两栖类10 种,1 633 只;爬行类5 种,9 只;兽类18 种,1 202 只。其中国家一级保护动物4 种(鸟 类1 种,兽类3 种),国家二级保护动物8 种(鸟类5 种,兽类3 种)。此外还开展了野生动物栖息地 现状及保护状况调查,对野生动物种群数量及发展趋势进行分析,并对野生动物保护工作提出建议。     

An Ecological-Economic Analysis of the Role of Canadian Forests in Mitigating Global Climate Change

Summary

Given the character of the manufacturing (emissions levels and composition of output), we find that approximately $28 billion worth of manufacturing value added is made possible by the carbon uptake service provided by Canadian forests in 1986, with no corresponding increase in emissions. Thus, forests play the role of a “free factory.” The above figure may also be expressed per Mt of carbon uptake, as approximately $937 million. Then, based on estimates of carbon uptake provided by forestry ecologists, we impute a value of the non-market service of carbon uptake that forests provide. The calculation of such a value contributes to the determination of the value of forests as social capital. This value must then be incorporated in the model that determines the optimal harvesting decision. Without this value, the social cost of forests is seriously underestimated, which would lead to over-exploitation of forest resources.     

合肥城市森林减少大气污染的效果

树木主要通过气孔吸收气态污染物,同时通过滞留空气中的微粒而减轻污染,树木较高的覆盖率可能会减少挥发性有机物的释放量,定量研究表明,合肥市1998年吸收空气污染物约为151.5t,树木7月份(着叶季节)吸收污染量高达20t,具有相对较低臭氧生成潜力的植物有香樟属、女贞属、紫薇属、罗汉松属和李属。合肥城市森林总体的臭氧指标得分值为92.4。