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Description:
Project Manager:
Mary Allen
Project Years:
2016
2017
Project Summary:
This project will estimate non-market economic values for Southeast Florida coral reefs using stated preference methods (sometimes referred to as conjoint analysis), which collect data via survey questionnaires. The questionnaire(s)will be developed by NOAA project leads Peter Edwards and Kristy Wallmo, who will seek substantial input from partners to ensure that the objectives and information desired by all partners are met to the fullest extent possible. The survey questionnaire will be submitted for OMB approval by the project leads. The implementation and data collection phase of the project will be contracted to a partner (such as a survey research firm). Based on budget limitations and needs of some of the partners this study will update aspects to the 2000-01 and 2004 Socioeconomic Studies of Reefs in Southeast Florida. This project will not be able to completely replicate the original study; however, key components will be implemented using state-of-the-art methods that allow us to quantify the value of individual attributes associated with coral reefs (e.g. species diversity, fish abundance, coral abundance, water quality, coral health, etc..) and to examine changes in value under varying policy scenarios. The project leads will work closely with partners during the selection of the attributes to ensure that the information collected aligns closely with partner needs. It is likely that the economic valuation survey will be implemented via an internet panel (for example Knowledge Networks). Internet panels typically consist of a group of pre-screened respondents who have expressed a willingness to participate in surveys and/or customer feedback sessions. Panels are well used approach in the market research industry and they bridge the gap between a population that is reluctant to cooperate with telephone surveys and the organizations that need to know their perceptions and attitudes more than ever before. A demographically representative panel will be purchased for administration of the survey. Economic models will be estimated that will allow for estimating non-use values for changes in reef attributes/characteristics. Values will be estimated at the county level.Economic impacts will be calculated utilizing existing expenditure data collected through a nation-wide marine recreational use and expenditure survey implemented by NMFS economists. Economic impact models developed by NMFS economists (and compatible with IMPLAN software) will be used to estimate the impacts of coral reefs on the Florida economy. It is possible that the existing expenditure data will need require supplemental information and/or additional data in order to isolate the specific impacts of coral on the economy. This may entail data purchase or add-on questions to the valuation survey, or a combination of the two
Expected Outcome:
The primary outcome is to provide important recreational use estimates and the associated impacts on the local county economies. These estimates will be used to update the previous data collection effort. The other major expected outcome is the new estimated economic values from the non-market valuation exercise. The outcome from these sets of updated information (economic impact and economic non-market economic values) can then be used to assist in conservation management decision making, public awareness and education. Managers have an established record of using the results from the previous study to among other things, justify budgetary allocations for coral reef conservation, tourism and reef related recreation related business interests have also used the information as part of marketing and promotions. All these stakeholders have a key interest in the provision of the updated information.
Project Locations:
Project Category:
Other Domestic or Global Project
Project Status:
Completed
Associated Products:
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