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Environmental valuation

ENRE has a prolific research programme in the field of environmental valuation. Our work is focused in two distinct areas: On the one hand we have valuation and experimental studies and their behavioral foundations in which we undertake experiments offering participants choices which entail cost and benefit trade-offs. On the other hand we employ valuation techniques to value natural resources such as forests, protected areas marine resources and transport.

Central to much of our research on valuation is the recognition that natural resources can provide a range of ecosystem goods and services which extend beyond market benefits.  Because many of the goods and services associated with natural ecosystems are unpriced, private users have little incentive to take account of these benefits in decision making.  Assigning monetary values to non-market goods and services can potentially avoid undervaluation of these ecosystems and help policy – makers to make decisions that entail complex tradeoffs between economic development and environmental quality.  Environmental valuation tools represent an important means by which to measure costs and benefits associated with alternative private actions and public policies.

This is reflected in an increased emphasis on the joint production of traditional uses and the non-market recreational values related to agriculture, forest and fisheries and those which support the non-farm sector such as rural tourism or recreational fisheries.  Using experimental methods and valuation tools we aim to develop greater insights into human behaviour.  Such experiments include investigations of how different groups view and take decisions about the environment and also help to provide more relevant policy recommendations. In what follows we describe some of our valuation studies.

Valuing biodiversity using choice experiments in the Burren

The Burren represents one of Ireland’s best landscapes and is reknown for its unique karst limestone landscape and biodiversity. The Burren is both a working living landscape and a popular international tourist destination.  The landscape is shaped by the farmers and the communities that live there but visitors also benefit when they explore the region.  In this study we use choice experiments to investigate public preferences for the Burren, its landscape and its biodiversity.  To find out more follow the link.

Recreational access and walking tourism

This study is concerned with the different ways in which people make decisions about access to the countryside.  This project involved both members of the public as well as farmers. ENRE researchers found that enhancing public access is cost effective in many rural areas and could contribute to income generation in the Irish countryside.

Valuing cold water corals using choice experiments

This valuation study presents the findings of an economic assessment of the value of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) created to protect newly discovered deep-sea corals off the coast of the Republic of Ireland. although there is a large literature which investigates monetary valuation of goods and services associated with shallow water corals (see for example: Arin and Kramer, 2002; Park et al, 2002; Bhat, 2003), there have been no such studies on cold water corals (CWC). This study represents the first valuation study to have ever been published in an academic journal on CWC.   For more details on the study and the PROTECT project follow the link.

A contingent behaviour study on coastal access

The Irish coastline has long been associated with leisure and tourism activities.  In recent years this interest has grown with the development of the economy, an interest in outdoor pursuits and the growth of the tourist industry which has promoted its use.  However access to many parts of Ireland’s best coastline remains a problem.  This study uses a contingent behaviour model to estimate the value of improved coastal access.

Valuation of multiple use forestry

There is considerable interest by Coilte, the forest service in Ireland to investigate the recreation and biodiversity benefits associated with forestry in Ireland.  In this study  Coilte collaborated with ENRE to value both the non-market and market benefits of production and recreation forests in the west of Ireland. For more detaisl follow the link.  

Valuing forest amenities: citizen and personal perspectives

Another project investigated the choices people made when asked to make decisions as private consumers where only they could benefit, as opposed to decisions made as citizens, from a social perspective in which others could also benefit.  Our research on human behaviour from this study deviates from conventional consumer theory and suggests that people do not take decisions solely based on their personal preferences.

Valuing whitewater kayaking in Ireland

This study investigated the non-market values associated with kayaking on the Roughty river in Ireland.  It indicates the high value of the Roughty river, a popular destination for kayakers as a recreational resource.  The study also provides an example of how to weigh non-market recreational benefits from alternative uses such as hydroelectric power from the Roughty river.

Enre contacts and staff involved in these projects:

Tom van Rensburg

Stephen Hynes

Lava Yadav

Naomi Foley

Peter Howley

Edel Doherty

Elias Mulugeta

Cathal Buckley

Enre publications on environmental valuation:

A number of the publications are listed electronically.  If however no electronic link is provided, please contact the author or the University Library for further information

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