Abstract

Combining the approach used in landscape research with non-market valuation techniques, the aim of this study is to document human habitat selection for recreational purposes in a gradient of forest naturalness. The results indicate that respondents prefer older stands with vertical layering, irregularly spaced trees and a greater number of tree species. Our study thus indicates that forests that are managed (or left unmanaged) for biodiversity purposes are also likely to be attractive to humans. To conclude, while greater management intensity was associated with higher disutility regardless of the model employed, we do not perceive a risk of conflict between forest management designed to protect biodiversity and management targeting recreational value. Consequently, there is a need for spatially differentiated forest management that discriminates among different functions. The state ownership of all larger Polish forest massifs makes this zoning approach feasible. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Forest characteristics; Recreational value; Choice modeling; Forest management

Published in

Ecological Economics
2015, Volume: 119, pages: 8-23
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

SLU Authors

• Angelstam, Per

  • School for Forest Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG15 Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss


UKÄ Subject classification

Economics


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2015.07.032

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/74276