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Economic value of protected areas via visitor mental health

Author

Listed:
  • Ralf Buckley

    (Griffith University)

  • Paula Brough

    (Griffith University)

  • Leah Hague

    (Griffith University)

  • Alienor Chauvenet

    (Griffith University)

  • Chris Fleming

    (Griffith University)

  • Elisha Roche

    (Griffith University)

  • Ernesta Sofija

    (Griffith University)

  • Neil Harris

    (Griffith University)

Abstract

We evaluate methods to calculate the economic value of protected areas derived from the improved mental health of visitors. A conservative global estimate using quality-adjusted life years, a standard measure in health economics, is US$6 trillion p.a. This is an order of magnitude greater than the global value of protected area tourism, and two to three orders greater than global aggregate protected area management agency budgets. Future research should: refine this estimate using more precise methods; consider interactions between health and conservation policies and budgets at national scales; and examine links between personalities and protected area experiences at individual scale.

Suggested Citation

  • Ralf Buckley & Paula Brough & Leah Hague & Alienor Chauvenet & Chris Fleming & Elisha Roche & Ernesta Sofija & Neil Harris, 2019. "Economic value of protected areas via visitor mental health," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-12631-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12631-6
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    Cited by:

    1. Åsa Davidsson & Magnus Johansson & Carl Bonander, 2021. "Desirable Effects from Disturbance Ecology—A Paradox within Conservation Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-20, June.
    2. Ralf C. Buckley, 2022. "Sensory and Emotional Components in Tourist Memories of Wildlife Encounters: Intense, Detailed, and Long-Lasting Recollections of Individual Incidents," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-12, April.
    3. Pei Lin & Lili Chen & Zeshun Luo, 2022. "Analysis of Tourism Experience in Haizhu National Wetland Park Based on Web Text," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-16, March.
    4. Deirdre Dragovich & Sunil Bajpai, 2022. "Managing Tourism and Environment—Trail Erosion, Thresholds of Potential Concern and Limits of Acceptable Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-16, April.
    5. Astell-Burt, Thomas & Navakatikyan, Michael & Eckermann, Simon & Hackett, Maree & Feng, Xiaoqi, 2022. "Is urban green space associated with lower mental healthcare expenditure?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 292(C).
    6. Zoe M Volenec & Joel O Abraham & Alexander D Becker & Andy P Dobson, 2021. "Public parks and the pandemic: How park usage has been affected by COVID-19 policies," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(5), pages 1-18, May.

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