Economic valuation for the conservation of the Huallaga River by the population of Tingo María, Las Orquídeas – Naranjillo de Leoncio Prado section

Abstract

The objective of the research work was to estimate the economic valuation for the conservation and/or protection of the Las Orquideas to Naranjillo section of the Huallaga River on behalf of the population in Tingo Maria, [Peru], and the nearby areas. In order to estimate the willingness to pay (WTP; DAP in Spanish), a survey was done [with a] questionnaire, organized according to the contingent valuation method. For the statistical analysis, the probabilistic, logistic, and multiple linear regression econometric models were used. According to the results of the analysis, it was concluded that the demand curve of the probabilistic model was: WTP-P = 1.097*X7 + 0.762*X12 + 0.443*X13 – 0.219*X16 – 0.582*X17; [for the] logistic model, it was: WTP-L = 1.811*X7 + 1.313*X12 + 0.778*X13 – 0.374*X16 – 0.999*X17; and [for the] multiple linear regression model, it was: WTP-RLM = 0.494 + 0.051*X1 + 0.267*X7 + 0.194*X12 + 0.109*X13 – 0.062*X16 – 0.169*X17; where X1: type of home, X7: assessment of the Huallaga River, X12: intervention [in the] conservation of the Huallaga River, X13: level of education, X16: price they were willing to pay, and the WTP. The average willingness to pay predicted at 84.54% [accuracy]. For the probabilistic model, the average WTP was 6.87 soles, with a variation of 52.97%; [for] the logistic model, the average WTP was 6.84 soles, with a variation of 52.60%; and [for] the multiple linear regression model, the average WTP was 14.92 soles, with a variation of 23.10%.