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Valuing Changes in the Quality of Coral Reef Ecosystems: A Stated Preference Study of SCUBA Diving in the Bonaire National Marine Park

Author

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  • George R. Parsons

    (Graduate College of Marine Studies and Department of Economics,University of Delaware)

  • Steven M. Thur

    (NOAA Office of Response and Restoration)

Abstract

We estimated the economic value of changes in the quality of a coral reef ecosystem to SCUBA divers in the Caribbean using a stated preference mail survey. Our sampling frame was all divers with U.S. home addresses who purchased a tag required for diving in the Bonaire National Marine Park in 2001. Divers were asked how they might have altered their trip choice had the quality of the coral reef system been different from what they experienced. From these responses we inferred the value of three different levels of quality defined by visibility, species diversity, and percent coral cover. We used random utility theory and mixed logit to analyze the choice questions. Our sample size was 211, and our survey response rate is 75%. For modest changes in quality we estimate per person annual losses at $45. For larger losses the value is $192.

Suggested Citation

  • George R. Parsons & Steven M. Thur, 2007. "Valuing Changes in the Quality of Coral Reef Ecosystems: A Stated Preference Study of SCUBA Diving in the Bonaire National Marine Park," Working Papers 07-18, University of Delaware, Department of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:dlw:wpaper:07-18.
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    File URL: http://graduate.lerner.udel.edu/sites/default/files/ECON/PDFs/RePEc/dlw/WorkingPapers/2007/UDWP2007-18.pdf
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    1. Ke Zhang & Anson T. H. Ma & Theresa W. L. Lam & Wei Fang & Lewis T. O. Cheung, 2022. "The Influence of Sociodemographic Characteristics and the Experience of Recreational Divers on the Preference for Diving Sites," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-17, December.
    2. Paudel, Krishna P. & Caffey, Rex H. & Devkota, Nirmala, 2011. "An Evaluation of Factors Affecting the Choice of Coastal Recreational Activities," Journal of Agricultural and Applied Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 43(2), pages 167-179, May.
    3. Schuhmann, Peter W. & Mahon, Robin, 2015. "The valuation of marine ecosystem goods and services in the Caribbean: A literature review and framework for future valuation efforts," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 11(C), pages 56-66.
    4. Londoño, Luz M. & Johnston, Robert J., 2012. "Enhancing the reliability of benefit transfer over heterogeneous sites: A meta-analysis of international coral reef values," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 80-89.
    5. Fooks, Jacob R. & Messer, Kent D. & Duke, Joshua M. & Johnson, Janet B. & Parsons, George R., 2017. "Continuous attribute values in a simulation environment: Offshore energy production and Mid-Atlantic beach visitation," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 288-302.
    6. Beharry-Borg, Nesha & Scarpa, Riccardo, 2010. "Valuing quality changes in Caribbean coastal waters for heterogeneous beach visitors," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 69(5), pages 1124-1139, March.
    7. Achilleas Vassilopoulos & Phoebe Koundouri, 2017. "Valuation of Marine Ecosystems," DEOS Working Papers 1714, Athens University of Economics and Business.
    8. Luís C. Rodrigues & Jeroen C. J. M. Bergh & Maria L. Loureiro & Paulo A. L. D. Nunes & Sergio Rossi, 2016. "The Cost of Mediterranean Sea Warming and Acidification: A Choice Experiment Among Scuba Divers at Medes Islands, Spain," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 63(2), pages 289-311, February.
    9. Gill, David A. & Schuhmann, Peter W. & Oxenford, Hazel A., 2015. "Recreational diver preferences for reef fish attributes: Economic implications of future change," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 48-57.
    10. Alexander Hodeck & Jacqueline Tuchel & Luisa Hente & Christine von Reibnitz, 2021. "The Importance of Sustainability in Diving Tourism—The Case of German Speaking Diving Tourists," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-13, June.
    11. Weijerman, Mariska & Grace-McCaskey, Cynthia & Grafeld, Shanna L. & Kotowicz, Dawn M. & Oleson, Kirsten L.L. & van Putten, Ingrid E., 2016. "Towards an ecosystem-based approach of Guam's coral reefs: The human dimension," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 8-17.
    12. Teelucksingh, Sonja S. & Nunes, Paulo A.L.D., 2010. "Biodiversity Valuation in Developing Countries: A Focus on Small Island Developing States (SIDS)," Sustainable Development Papers 94842, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei (FEEM).
    13. John Robinson, Peter & van Beukering, Pieter & Brander, Luke & Brouwer, Roy & Haider, W. & Taylor, Michael & Mau, Paulus, 2022. "Understanding the determinants of biodiversity non-use values in the context of climate change: Stated preferences for the Hawaiian coral reefs," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    14. Banerjee, Anwesha, 2024. "The effect of heterogeneity and risk on co-operation: Experimental evidence," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    15. Fitzpatrick, Luke & Parmeter, Christopher F. & Agar, Juan, 2017. "Threshold Effects in Meta-Analyses With Application to Benefit Transfer for Coral Reef Valuation," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 74-85.
    16. Aanesen, Margrethe & Armstrong, Claire & Czajkowski, Mikołaj & Falk-Petersen, Jannike & Hanley, Nick & Navrud, Ståle, 2015. "Willingness to pay for unfamiliar public goods: Preserving cold-water coral in Norway," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 53-67.
    17. Moonsammy, Stephan & Boman, Mattias & Ramdhanie, Vidwatee & Renn-Moonsammy, Donna-Marie, 2024. "State-of-the art valuation of wetland ecosystem services in Small Island Developing States: A systematic review with an emphasis on future research needs," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    18. Grafeld, Shanna & Oleson, Kirsten & Barnes, Michele & Peng, Marcus & Chan, Catherine & Weijerman, Mariska, 2016. "Divers' willingness to pay for improved coral reef conditions in Guam: An untapped source of funding for management and conservation?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 202-213.
    19. Catalina M. Torres Figuerola & Antoni Riera Font, 2009. "Defining environmental attributes as external costs in choice experiments: A discussion," CRE Working Papers (Documents de treball del CRE) 2009/1, Centre de Recerca Econòmica (UIB ·"Sa Nostra").
    20. Kragt, Marit Ellen & Roebeling, Peter C. & Ruijs, Arjan, 2009. "Effects of Great Barrier Reef degradation on recreational reef-trip demand: a contingent behaviour approach," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 53(2), pages 1-17.
    21. Oleson, Kirsten L.L. & Bagstad, Kenneth J. & Fezzi, Carlo & Barnes, Megan D. & Donovan, Mary K. & Falinski, Kim A. & Gorospe, Kelvin D. & Htun, Hla & Lecky, Joey & Villa, Ferdinando & Wong, Tamara M., 2020. "Linking Land and Sea Through an Ecological-Economic Model of Coral Reef Recreation," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 177(C).
    22. -, 2011. "An assessment of the economic impact of climate change on the tourism sector in Curacao," Sede Subregional de la CEPAL para el Caribe (Estudios e Investigaciones) 38617, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).

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