A comparison of stated preferences methods for the valuation of natural resources: the case of contingent valuation and choice experiment

摘要

In the present study, the non-marketing value of services was provided by the ecosystem of a pasture related to individuals' preferences to compare the contingent valuation method (CVM) and the choice experiment method (CEM). Firstly, we specified the major services of the pasture (e.g., biodiversity, medicinal plants, and ecotourism and ancient places). Then, to examine the individuals' preferences, we used CVM with the double-bounded dichotomous technique and choice modeling with CEM, for each of which we prepared 156 separate questionnaires. The results indicated that individuals' willingness to pay to increase ecosystem services varied in the range of $2.05 (by CEM) to $2.42 (by CVM). The total value of the services was from $82,194.09 (by CEM) to $97,107.36 (by CVM). The results confirmed that the CVM values were in accordance with CEM.