Finding the Social Value of Forests Through Stated Preference Methods. A Mediterranean Forest Valuation Exercise

 

Pere Riera*¹ and Joan Mogas**

* Associate Professor

Department d'Economia Aplicada. Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, SPAIN

** Associate Professor

Department d'Economia. Universitat Rovira i Virgili, 43204 Reus, SPAIN

 

 

Abstract. There are several methods to estimate the social value of forests or forest attributes, the most widely used being the stated preference methods. This paper illustrates the use of such methods to estimate some recreational functions of Mediterranean forests, as well as CO₂ sequestration and soil erosion prevention. It also compares the results from a contingent ranking and a choice experiment method application.

Key word: forest valuation; environmental valuation; contingent ranking; choice experiment; conjoint analysis; forestation

 

Sumário. A declaração de preferências corresponde ao método mais comum para estimar o valor social das florestas ou dos seus atributos. Este artigo ilustra o uso deste método para estimar o valor de algumas funções recreativas das florestas mediterrâneas, assim como do sequestro de CO₂ e da prevenção da erosão do solo. Analisa também os resultados de aproximações de ordenação contingente no âmbito de métodos que envolvem a declaração de preferências.

Palavras-chave: valorização da floresta; avaliação ambiental; ordenação contingente; análises conjunto; florestação

 

Résumé. La déclaration des préférences correspond à la méthode la plus utilisée pour estimer la valeur sociale des forêts ou de ses attributs. Cet article illustre l'utilisation de telles méthodes pour estimer les fonctions récréatives des forêts méditerranéennes, aussi bien que la séquestration de CO₂ et la prévention de l'érosion du sol. Il analyse également les résultats des approches de l'ordonnance contingente à la portée des méthodes qui impliquent la déclaration des préférences.

Mots clés: évaluation forestière; évaluation environnementale; ordonnance contingente; ensemble d'analyses; reboisement

 

 

Texto completo disponível apenas em PDF.

Full text only available in PDF format.

 

 

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¹ Corresponding Author E-mail: pere.riera@uab.es