Abstract
This chapter presents the findings of a stated preference study conducted in Israel to examine the benefit to the public of containment or eradication of the invasive species, Acacia saligna, at the Nizzanim LTER Coastal Sand Dune Nature Reserve. The research used a contingent valuation methodology survey in order to estimate the value to the public of preserving the biodiversity of the park. Both visitors and nonvisitors to the park were surveyed. The results reveal a substantial willingness to pay (WTP) by the public for containment and eradication of the spread of the invading species, which is out-competing native species at the park. The study found that the annual mean WTP for containment of the invasive species was US$ 8.50 and for elimination of the invasive species, US$ 8.92. Using regression analysis, the study showed that among the predictors of WTP were income and membership in an environmental organization.
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- 1.
Throughout the paper the ongoing exchange rate is 5.1 NIS = 1 Euro, 4.5 NIS = 1 US$.
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Lehrer, D., Becker, N., Kutiel (Bar), P. (2013). The Value of Coastal Sand Dunes as a Measure to Plan an Optimal Policy for Invasive Plant Species: The Case of the Acacia saligna at the Nizzanim LTER Coastal Sand Dune Nature Reserve, Israel. In: Martínez, M., Gallego-Fernández, J., Hesp, P. (eds) Restoration of Coastal Dunes. Springer Series on Environmental Management. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-33445-0_17
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