Valuing Changes in Forest Biodiversity

Malgorzata Buszko-Briggs, Mikolaj Czajkowski and Nick Hanley

No 2008-17, Stirling Economics Discussion Papers from University of Stirling, Division of Economics

Abstract: The paper offers an innovative approach to valuation of biodiversity. Instead of the prevailing approach of using only one indicator of biodiversity (usually number of species) we provide evidence that it is possible to provide attributes describing complex characteristics of biodiversity based on sound ecological knowledge. We argue that our approach managed to value the multi‐level changes in the biological diversity, by using the attributes which described structural, species and functional diversity at the same time. Our study shows that it even complex indicators of multi‐level biodiversity might be successfully communicated to respondents in a comprehensible and meaningful way. The empirical application of the method is provided based on a choice experiment study conducted in Białowieża Forest, Poland. The results underline the importance to use multilevel indicators and question validity of only species‐level indicators. Interestingly, the respondents appreciated passive protection regimes, resulting in preservation of natural ecological processes. In addition, the respondents seemed to be concerned by means, and not only the results of protection programmes. Finally, some conclusions for future applications and policy making are drawn.

Keywords: Biodiversity; Forests; Valuation; Choice Experiment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008-07
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-agr and nep-env
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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http://hdl.handle.net/1893/570

Related works:
Journal Article: Valuing changes in forest biodiversity (2009)
Working Paper: Valuing Changes in Forest Biodiversity (2008)
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:stl:stledp:2008-17

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