Valuing Ecosystem Diversity in South East Queensland: A Life Satisfaction Approach
Survey
HILDA
Author(s)
Date Issued
2013-01-22
Keywords
Ecosystem Diversity
Life Satisfaction
Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA)
Biodiversity
Non-market Valuation
Abstract
The life satisfaction approach has recently emerged as a new technique in the suite of options available to non-market valuation practitioners. This paper examines the influence of ecosystem diversity on the life satisfaction of residents of South East Queensland, Australia. It is found that, on average, a respondent is willing-to-pay approximately AUD$20,000 in household income per annum to obtain a one-unit improvement in ecosystem diversity. This result indicates that the life satisfaction effects of improvements in ecosystem diversity are substantial, and greater than the welfare effects implied by studies using more conventional non-market valuation techniques.
Conference Name
New Zealand Agricultural and Resource Economics Society Conference
Conference Location
Nelson, New Zealand
Conference Start date
2011-08-25
Conference End date
2011-08-26
External resource (Link)
Subjects
Type
Conference Papers
