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Stated preferences for the colours, smells and sounds of biodiversity

King, Peter, Dallimer, Martin, Lundhede, Thomas, Austen, Gail E., Fisher, Jessica C., Irvine, Katherine N., Fish, Robert, Davies, Zoe G. (2024) Stated preferences for the colours, smells and sounds of biodiversity. Ecological Economics, 227 . Article Number 108410. ISSN 0921-8009. (doi:10.1016/j.ecolecon.2024.108410) (Access to this publication is currently restricted. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:107365)

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Abstract

Forest creation and restoration are embedded in global policy. Both result in landscape changes that have far-reaching socioeconomic consequences. However, there is limited evidence on public preferences for the biodiversity these forests contain. Here we used a choice experiment to explore the British public’s willingness to pay (WTP) for different forest biodiversity attributes. We began with a multiple-step deliberative participatory process. This revealed that participants conceptualised forest biodiversity through visual, aural and olfactory senses. We subsequently developed and pre-tested sensory attributes based on colours, smells and sounds. Depending on the size of the proposed change, participants (N=1711) were willing-to-pay for a greater variety of sensory attributes and for an indicator of improved ecological functioning (deadwood for decomposition). WTP for sensory attributes was influenced by participants’ having related sensory impairments or visiting forests frequently. Our wider contribution highlights the importance of participatory methods to unearth novel and uncommon attributes that can then be used in stated preference studies. Ensuring that we evaluate stated preferences in a manner that reflects how the public conceives biodiversity is important if we are to improve the alignment between forest creation/restoration and public views, which could thus help bolster public support for the planning and implementation of landscape changes.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2024.108410
Subjects: Q Science > QH Natural history
Q Science > QH Natural history > QH75 Conservation (Biology)
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Funders: European Research Council (https://ror.org/0472cxd90)
Depositing User: Zoe Davies
Date Deposited: 27 Sep 2024 12:16 UTC
Last Modified: 23 Oct 2024 02:48 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/107365 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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