Estimating visitors' willingness to pay for a conservation fund: sustainable financing approach in protected areas in Ethiopia

Non-consumptive value of hilsa fishery restoration in West Bengal, India: An application of contingent valuation method

The study focuses on the socio-cultural importance of hilsa fishery in West Bengal, which extends beyond mere sustenance, symbolising heritage, identity, and community spirit, particularly in South 24 Parganas district. As the state fish and a crucial livelihood source for many fishers, grave concerns have recently been flagged due to reduced catches and increased prices, highlighting the need for restoration. This study seeks to measure the non-consumptive value of hilsa fishery by involving 200 participants, 100 fishers and 100 consumers, utilising the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) with a payment card. Tobit model, income and price elasticity analysis, Mann-Whitney U test, and Independent Student's t-test were applied. The yearly non-consumptive value for hilsa fishery restoration in South 24 Parganas spans from INR 42.75 crore to INR 104.54 crore (approximately US$ 5.13 M to US$ 12.54 M per annum). The presence of distance decay, evident from the negative relation of willingness to pay (WTP) with distance, invalidated statewide WTP aggregation. Extrapolating estimates to nine neighbouring hilsa-producing districts gave estimates ranging from INR 315.63 crore to INR 771.88 crore (approximately US$ 37.9 million to US$ 92.8 million). Results highlight statistical socio-economic differences between fishermen and consumers, signifying diverse perspectives. The Tobit model identifies common factors influencing WTP, including income earners, average family income, and respondents' involvement with NGOs, emphasising the role of socio-economic factors in shaping WTP. Both income and price elasticity of WTP were below one, indicating that economically weaker groups demonstrate a relatively higher willingness to pay for hilsa fish restoration, underscoring their reliance on this fishery for livelihoods. The study proposes that investment of a portion of the estimated non-consumptive value could significantly bolster hilsa restoration, benefiting economically weaker groups, improving overall livelihoods, and safeguarding the cultural heritage.

Tourists' valuation of nature in protected areas: A systematic review

In the face of biodiversity loss, it is crucial to broaden the arguments for conservation of protected areas by acknowledging diverse values of nature. We systematically reviewed empirical studies to investigate tourists' values of nature in protected areas over time and across regions. To do so, we explored (1) the main ecological and social characteristics of the case studies; (2) methodological approaches; and (3) value types. Based on the review of 152 articles, we found that economic valuation has received the most scientific attention, while socio-cultural valuation approaches have recently increased. Values were primarily elicited and analyzed quantitatively and in monetary metrics, although valuation methods and frameworks have diversified over the past two decades. However, considering the role of valuation methods and frameworks as value-articulating institutions, we suggest that future research on nature valuation also applies qualitative and non-monetary methods, elicits diverse values, and conducts plural valuation.

Ecology, evolution, and conservation of Ethiopia's biodiversity

Ethiopia is home to one of the richest and most unique assemblages of fauna and flora on the African continent. Contained within its borders are two major centers of endemism, the mesic Roof of Africa (also known as the Ethiopian Highlands) and the arid Horn of Africa, resulting from the country's varied topography and consequent geographic isolation. These centers of endemism are crucial to global conservation as evidenced by their classification within the Eastern Afromontane and Horn of Africa biodiversity hotspots, respectively. Ethiopia's diverse ecosystems and the biodiversity they contain are increasingly threatened by climate change and the growing impacts of Africa's second largest human and largest livestock populations. In this paper, we focus on several key areas of recent and ongoing research on Ethiopian biodiversity that have broadened our understanding of nature and its conservation in Africa. Topics explored include the behavioral ecology of Ethiopia's large social mammals, the ecology and conservation of its unique coffee forests, and Ethiopian approaches to community conservation, fortress conservation, and nature-based solutions. We also highlight the increasing prominence of Ethiopian scientists in studies of the country's biodiversity in recent decades. We suggest promising avenues for future research in evolutionary biology, ecology, systematics, and conservation in Ethiopia and discuss how recent and ongoing work in Ethiopia is helping us better understand and conserve nature in the human-dominated landscapes of Africa and other tropical regions today.

Are Tourists Willing to Pay for a Marine Litter-Free Coastal Attraction to Achieve Tourism Sustainability? Case Study of Libong Island, Thailand

Coastal areas around the world are under increasing environmental pressures from marine litter. In particular, tourism in coastal tourist areas suffers with waste littering on the coast, as well as in the water. Therefore, substantial costs are required for the handling of marine litter in order to achieve sustainable development in the tourism sector. The introduction of an entrance fee as an economic tool is a feasible way to provide alternative financing, in addition to limited government funding. The objective of this study was to estimate tourists’ willingness to pay (WTP) for visiting a marine litter-free coastal attraction, and examine the factors affecting the WTP. A questionnaire was employed using a single-bound dichotomous choice method on Libong Island, Thailand, between September and December 2020. A logistic model was used to estimate the WTP of the 1655 respondents. The mean WTP obtained is THB 92.24 per person per visit (approximately USD 3). The expected benefit of charging an entrance fee is THB 27.52 million (USD 0.88 million) for 2019. The factors influencing WTP are bid amount, age, education, monthly income, marine litter perception, and environmentally responsible behaviors. Associated initiatives were recommended to achieve coastal destination sustainability, including regular clean-up operations at beaches, seagrass beds, and surrounding waters; the placement and maintenance of litter facilities; and the promotion of marine litter awareness and environmentally responsible behaviors.

Valuing Protected Areas: Socioeconomic Determinants of the Willingness to Pay for the National Park

The study aimed at estimating the variability of perception of the Wielkopolski National Park (WNP) value among different groups of society. The study was based on questionnaires conducted in 2018. Analyses were carried out on the basis of 1350 records. The results of the survey were subjected to statistical analysis using the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) and the analysis of variance. The study revealed that the relation with the natural environment significantly differs among various groups of society. The application of diverse analytical tools in relation to the survey data allowed for the quantification of that diversity. The relationship between the economic situation of respondents and their willingness to pay for nature conservation is non-linear.