Abstract
This study investigates the economic and non-economic trade-offs associated with ecosystem conservation in food-dependent communities. Using a discrete choice experiment (DCE) involving 1000 respondents in the Pra and Densu basins of Ghana. The respondents were selected using multistage sampling. Out of a total of 1119 respondents, 1000 were complete, indicating a response rate of 89%. The data was collected in person by well-trained enumerators using the KoboToolbox data system. The willingness to pay for the ecosystem services ranges from GHS 32.63 (equivalent to $2.72) per household per month for cultural services to a maximum of GHS 195.22 (equivalent to US $ 16.27) per household per month for high improvements in surface water quality in the Densu basin. On the other hand, households in Pra are willing to pay between GHS 22.06 (equivalent to US$ 1.84) per household per month for high improvement in cultural services to GHS 127.84 (equivalent to US$ 10.65) per household per month for high improvements in surface water quality. The results also reveal that, irrespective of the payment method, respondents are willing to pay more for improvements in ecosystem services compared to low levels of improvements in the selected attributes. The results, however, confirm that respondents are willing to pay more in monetary terms if non-monetary payments are used. The study is relevant for policy decisions in managing ecosystems. Therefore, payment for ecosystem services can be enhanced by using both monetary and non-monetary (labour days) methods to ensure that human pressures on the ecosystems are checked.
Presenters
Salisu MustaphaStudent, PhD Applied Agricultural Economics and Policy, University of Ghana, Ghana
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Ecosystem Services, Discrete Choice Experiment, Non-monetary payments, Willingness to Pay
