An economic valuation of the recreational benefits associated with nature-based forest management practices

Abstract

The presented study aimed at identifying and assessing public preferences for variations in tree species composition, tree height structure, and presence of dead trees left for natural decay—forest characteristics which are likely to be affected when subjecting stands to nature-based forest management in the temperate, nemoral deciduous zone. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire and by applying choice experiments to elicit people's willingness to pay (WTP). Respondents evaluated a set of hand-drawn forest profile diagrams designed to illustrate different levels and combinations of the mentioned three forest characteristics. The highest WTP (1939 DKK, approx. €262) was found for a scenario of replacing the baseline case stand of even-aged conifers with no dead trees left for natural decay with a mixture of conifers and broadleaves of varying heights, and leaving a few dead trees for natural decay (5 ha −1). However, as the study did not include the importance of variation at forest and landscape levels for public preferences, the elicited WTP ought to be interpreted and used carefully. Based on the study's findings, further research on recreational values associated with conversion to nature-based forest management is suggested.