Using Choice Experiments to value biodiversity in a Megadiverse Protected Area: The case of Manu National Park, Peru

José Dávila-García, Carlos Enrique Orihuela, Felipe Vásquez-Lavín, Hugo Luna and Carlos Minaya Gutiérrez

Economia Agraria y Recursos Naturales, 2026, vol. 26, issue 01

Abstract: [EN] Biodiversity loss in megadiverse countries such as Peru threatens the resilience of ecosystems and cultural heritage, although evidence of its economic value is limited. This paper estimates the economic value of conserving biodiversity in Manu National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site. Using choice experiments, willingness to pay (WTP) for protecting threatened flora and fauna and reducing deforestation was estimated. The results show higher WTP for threatened flora associated with cultural familiarity. The non-use value amounts to USD 19.7 million, supporting conservation policies. [ES] La pérdida de biodiversidad en países megadiversos como Perú amenaza la resiliencia de los ecosistemas y el patrimonio cultural, aunque la evidencia sobre su valoración económica es limitada. Este estudio estima el valor económico de conservar la biodiversidad en el Parque Nacional del Manu, patrimonio de la UNESCO. Mediante experimentos de elección, se estimó la disposición a pagar (DAP) por proteger flora y fauna amenazadas y reducir deforestación. Los resultados evidencian mayor DAP por flora amenazada asociada a familiaridad cultural. El valor de no uso asciende a USD 19,7 millones, respaldando políticas de conservación.

Keywords: Environmental; Economics; and; Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:earnsa:404222

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.404222

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