Analyzing preference heterogeneity for soil amenity improvements using discrete choice experiment

Matthew Oliver Ralp Dimal () and Victor Jetten
Additional contact information
Matthew Oliver Ralp Dimal: University of Twente
Victor Jetten: University of Twente

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2020, vol. 22, issue 2, No 34, 1323-1351

Abstract: Abstract Understanding the soil’s economic value is essential in promoting stakeholder participation for its sustainable use and efficient management. However, its less tangible ecological functions have not been measured by conventional market-based valuation approaches. From the decision-making perspective, indirect-use value provides a robust apparatus for examining soil-use alternative and management options. In this study, we analyzed the value of specific soil ecosystem services as indicated by the stakeholders’ willingness to pay (WTP) for soil amenity improvements. Using a choice experiment in the Philippine town of Norzagaray, Bulacan, we analyzed the motivations and preferences in soil utility and conservation. Our results showed that in general, the respondents have a positive attitude toward spending for soil improvements. Preference heterogeneity was found to be influenced by spatial determinants and by the socio-demographic characteristics of individual respondents. The results revealed that the respondent’s education, income level, and environmental awareness had significant influence on stakeholders’ preference and WTP values. Spatial determinants including environmental risks and proximity to amenities were likewise found to explain preference heterogeneity. Despite methodological limitations, this study improves our understanding of soil’s explicit value, stakeholder perception, and preference variability, which is useful in designing and implementing more sustainable soil-use management and conservation initiatives.

Keywords: Soil value; Environmental valuation; Choice experiment; Preference heterogeneity; WTP (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10668-018-0250-8 Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:endesu:v:22:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1007_s10668-018-0250-8

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/economics/journal/10668

DOI: 10.1007/s10668-018-0250-8

Access Statistics for this article

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development is currently edited by Luc Hens

More articles in Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development from Springer
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().