Abstract
The paper presents empirical studies on the appreciation of nature and landscape in the Eastern Ore Mountains (Saxony, Germany) by tourism service providers (TSP) and visitors. Attractive landscape and experience of nature are the most important reasons to visit this region and to spend leisure time there. Particularly mountain meadows, raised bogs and mixed forests are highly appreciated. Deforestation, industrial development and the decline of biodiversity would reduce attractiveness for visitors. We also assessed whether the tourism sector is prepared to contribute to the funding of nature conservation and landscape management. Use of general tax revenues is favoured, but other modes would also be accepted, e.g. a nature tax. Willingness to pay (WTP) is ranging between €0.75 and €1.36 per guest per night by TSP, or between €1.06 and €2.73 per day by visitors. With respect to landscape preference and WTP we found in some cases significant differences among visitors, depending on region of residence, age and education level. A major part of the annual costs for nature conservation and landscape could be covered by public funds (taxes), if the results of the WTP approach were understood as a sign of societal demand and a call to action.
Highlights
The concept of ecosystem services comprises both the supply of services, which is based on the structures, processes and potentials of ecosystems and landscapes, and the demand for these services by particular beneficiaries, stakeholder groups or society as a whole
A major part of the annual costs for nature conservation and landscape could be covered by public funds, if the results of the Willingness to pay (WTP) approach were understood as a sign of societal demand and a call to action
This paper presents questionnaire-based empirical studies on the appreciation of nature, semi-natural and natural ecosystems, landscape elements, landscape qualities and ecosystem services in the Eastern Ore Mountains in the German state of Saxony, by different stakeholder groups: tourism service providers (TSP) and visitors
Summary
The concept of ecosystem services comprises both the supply of services, which is based on the structures, processes and potentials of ecosystems and landscapes, and the demand for these services by particular beneficiaries, stakeholder groups or society as a whole. Honey-Rosés & Pendleton (2013) note that “better information about ecological processes or abstract valuations will not spur better decision-making”, and that “despite a large and growing body of studies on the supply of ecosystem services, ecosystem services thinking and information is still not being used by the decision makers who need it.”. While there is a general broad social consensus for the permanent preservation and development of valuable landscapes with their ecosystems, and numerous studies on willingness to provide the financial means to do this exist Demand driven analyses of the public may support politicians and planners to design management policies and to set priorities in regard where to invest public money to maintain landscapes and protect biodiversity and gain acceptance (e.g. Casado-Arznaga et al 2013)
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