Direct and indirect valuation of air-quality regulation service as reflected in the preferences towards distinct types of landscape in a biosphere reserve

Abstract

Air-quality regulation was recently judged to be the most important ecosystem service (ES) provided by open landscape in Israel. However, the socioeconomic value of air-quality regulation (AQR) service may vary among the distinct landscape types providing it, especially where several drivers-of-change affect differently the ES flux at distinct ecosystem types. Using a choice experiment, we assessed directly and indirectly the value of AQR as reflected in the choice preferences towards AQR and towards the types of landscape that potentially provide it. We assessed (a) the value of AQR based on national and regional trade-off choices, (b) the interaction of the respondent's characteristics with the value domain, and (c) the effect of drivers of change on choice preferences. We found that both populations valued AQR above all other attributes, willing to pay $23 to $68 to preserve it. Furthermore, no-payment preferences were still aiming to preserve ES. However, the landscape preferences favoring the preservation of maquis shrubland may not sustain the desired AQR service levels and would require further land management decisions. Although estimating the effect of drivers-of-change on human wellbeing is still a challenge, assessing the change in the regulating services' value can support sustainable management practices.