Stated preference of Michigan residents for Great Lakes Coastal Wetland Program characteristics.

摘要

Wetlands are unique and important ecosystems, and policy makers want to develop appropriate conservation programs. Trade-offs must always be made when developing environmental programs. This thesis presents the results of a state-wide, stated choice questionnaire concerning programs for protecting and restoring Great Lake coastal wetlands. The survey questionnaire was designed and implemented as part of a wetland ecosystem economics research program at Michigan State University. The survey questionnaire was mailed to potential respondents in spring 2004 and had a 44% response rate. This thesis describes wetlands, their functions, research methods used in this study, and results of the stated choice section of the survey. Stated choice methods estimate preferences by developing statistical relationships between people's choices and the characteristics of the alternatives they choose among. Preferences were estimated for characteristics of Great Lakes coastal wetland programs such as the ecological services the program focuses on, the program's mix of preservation and restoration, and the land acquisition method. Since the literature review did not uncover previous research on public preferences for coastal wetland programs, this research provides a first step toward filling this gap. Knowledge gained from this study can aid policy makers in evaluating current policies and programs and in developing new coastal wetland programs that are in-line with public preferences.