+publisher:"University of Waikato" +contributor:("Scarpa, Riccardo")

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University of Waikato

1. Powley, Francis Deva. Contingent Valuation of Organic Cotton: An Empirical Investigation into the WTA-WTP Disparity .

Degree: 2011, University of Waikato

URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/5726

► Contingent valuation is a non-market valuation technique which elicits preference data from participants by asking them to value a change in the provision of a… (more)

▼ Contingent valuation is a non-market valuation technique which elicits preference data from participants by asking them to value a change in the provision of a specific good or service, contingent on the specifications outlined in a hypothetical market scenario. A commonly observed feature of CV results is a significant and pervasive disparity that develops between willingness to accept and willingness to pay measures of value. While these two measures should theoretically produce the same value estimate for a particular good, with the exception of a small difference due to the income effect, this is not the case in a majority of the experimental CV literature. This WTA-WTP disparity is the focus of this thesis’ investigation, which aims to offer a more accurate understanding of the phenomenon. This thesis provides a detailed review of past research experiments investigating the WTA-WTP gap, identifying two main alternate explanations for the disparity: one which explains the discrepancy as resulting from flaws in the methodological design of the CV experiments (weak experimental design) and one which suggests the gap is caused the fact that people place a higher value on a good they own than an identical good they do not own (endowment effect theory). To assess the legitimacy of each of these two explanations, this thesis presents an experimental investigation into the WTA-WTP gap, where a basic CV survey is design and then used to elicit preference data from participants for organic cotton. The experimental design includes six CV surveys, all of which are fundamentally identical except for small specific alterations, which will allow valuation results to be compared across survey groups in an attempt to isolate the effect that the specified survey design features have on valuation estimates. Two of the surveys collect WTP and WTA data from participants under a binding condition where the average valuation stated by the group would determine a binding monetary outcome for all of the participants. Two further surveys collect WTP and WTA data from participants where no binding monetary outcome is specified (i.e. purely hypothetical), and the final two treatment groups are asked to estimate the WTP and WTA of the binding groups, rather than provide their own personal value estimates. The core comparisons possible between these survey designs include: assessing whether a WTA-WTP gap is observed even when controlling for features of weak experimental design, assessing how the hypothetical nature of a CV experiment impacts on the valuation results, and whether participants are able to provide an unbiased estimate of others’ preferences. Data was collected from 178 participants with between 27 and 31 respondents involved in each of the six survey groups. The data was then analysed using SPSS to test whether there were significant differences between the valuation estimates collected from the different participant groups. The results of the experiment found that the WTA-WTP gap is caused by the endowment effect rather than… Advisors/Committee Members: Scarpa, Riccardo (advisor).

Subjects/Keywords: Contingent Valuation Method; WTA-WTP Gap

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APA (6^th Edition):

Powley, F. D. (2011). Contingent Valuation of Organic Cotton: An Empirical Investigation into the WTA-WTP Disparity . (Masters Thesis). University of Waikato. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10289/5726

Chicago Manual of Style (16^th Edition):

Powley, Francis Deva. “Contingent Valuation of Organic Cotton: An Empirical Investigation into the WTA-WTP Disparity .” 2011. Masters Thesis, University of Waikato. Accessed December 12, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10289/5726.

MLA Handbook (7^th Edition):

Powley, Francis Deva. “Contingent Valuation of Organic Cotton: An Empirical Investigation into the WTA-WTP Disparity .” 2011. Web. 12 Dec 2019.

Vancouver:

Powley FD. Contingent Valuation of Organic Cotton: An Empirical Investigation into the WTA-WTP Disparity . [Internet] [Masters thesis]. University of Waikato; 2011. [cited 2019 Dec 12]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/5726.

Council of Science Editors:

Powley FD. Contingent Valuation of Organic Cotton: An Empirical Investigation into the WTA-WTP Disparity . [Masters Thesis]. University of Waikato; 2011. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/5726

University of Waikato

2. Tee, James Seng Khien. Real Options Analysis of Carbon Forestry Under the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme .

Degree: 2011, University of Waikato

URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/5815

► In 2008, the New Zealand government passed climate change legislation called the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZETS), designed to create a carbon price in… (more)

▼ In 2008, the New Zealand government passed climate change legislation called the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZETS), designed to create a carbon price in the economy. Under the NZETS, new forests planted on and after 1st January 1990 (known as post-1989 forests) are eligible to earn carbon credits and sell them domestically and internationally, with a condition that the credits will have to be repaid back upon harvest of the forests. The amount of credits that have to be surrendered is proportionate to the extent that carbon stocks decrease in the forest land. This research explores the effects of the NZETS on new post-1989 forests. The NPV/LEV and the Real Options valuation methods are respectively employed to analyze fixed harvest and flexible harvest forest management decisions. This approach is applied to study the cases of timber-only forestry (i.e. no NZETS) and carbon forestry (i.e. with NZETS). The major advance of this research is the development of a double Random Variable Real Options methodology that incorporates both stochastic timber and stochastic carbon prices into the calculation of the bareland forestry investment opportunity under the NZETS. Through the work of this thesis, it is shown that the NZETS increases the valuation of bareland on which radiata pine is to be planted with a single rotation or a perpetual series of rotations, especially for the case of flexible harvest forest management. The NZETS will very likely lengthen the rotation age of forests and increase forest carbon sequestration, which contributes positively towards climate change mitigation in New Zealand. The Real Options valuation method can generate optimal harvest price thresholds that help forest owners to decide when to harvest. This thesis concludes with a scenario analysis of potential implications of lengthening the forest rotation age on carbon stock management in New Zealand. Advisors/Committee Members: Scarpa, Riccardo (advisor), Marsh, Dan (advisor).

Subjects/Keywords: climate change; carbon forestry; real options; valuation

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APA (6^th Edition):

Tee, J. S. K. (2011). Real Options Analysis of Carbon Forestry Under the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme . (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Waikato. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10289/5815

Chicago Manual of Style (16^th Edition):

Tee, James Seng Khien. “Real Options Analysis of Carbon Forestry Under the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme .” 2011. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Waikato. Accessed December 12, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10289/5815.

MLA Handbook (7^th Edition):

Tee, James Seng Khien. “Real Options Analysis of Carbon Forestry Under the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme .” 2011. Web. 12 Dec 2019.

Vancouver:

Tee JSK. Real Options Analysis of Carbon Forestry Under the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme . [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Waikato; 2011. [cited 2019 Dec 12]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/5815.

Council of Science Editors:

Tee JSK. Real Options Analysis of Carbon Forestry Under the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme . [Doctoral Dissertation]. University of Waikato; 2011. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/5815

University of Waikato

3. Ndebele, Tom. Consumer Demand for Green Electricity: A Study of Consumer Switching in New Zealand Retail Electricity Markets .

Degree: 2016, University of Waikato

URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/10238

► The extent to which deregulation increases the competitiveness of retail electricity markets depends largely on consumer switching activity. The USA, UK, Norway, Sweden, and Australia… (more)

▼ The extent to which deregulation increases the competitiveness of retail electricity markets depends largely on consumer switching activity. The USA, UK, Norway, Sweden, and Australia have all implemented electricity market reforms but consumers have often been reluctant to switch suppliers. In New Zealand, most consumers have not switched suppliers despite potential annual power bill savings of 150. Campaigns promoting consumer switching rely on price differences and ignore the value of non-price attributes, including whether the electricity is generated from renewable energy sources. This thesis improves our understanding of consumer switching and the demand for green electricity by analysing consumer preferences for the attributes of electricity services, estimating willingness to pay (WTP) for non-price attributes, and explaining consumer switching in terms of eight attributes:- power bill, call waiting time, fixed rate contract, discount, loyalty rewards, renewables, ownership of supplier, and supplier type. The analysis is based on a panel choice dataset generated using a choice experiment which was administered in 2014 to an online panel of 224 electricity bill payers in New Zealand. The multinomial logit, random parameter logit and latent class models are used to analyse the choice data with psychological constructs included to explain heterogeneity of preferences. The effect of attribute non-attendance (AN-A) and hypothetical bias on WTP estimates is investigated. We also explore whether using shorter versions of the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) Scale to measure environmental attitudes (EA) affects estimates of WTP for green electricity. The results indicate that non-price attributes of electricity services are significant determinants of consumer switching. Three latent classes with distinct preferences for the attributes are identified. Class 1 (40%) is mainly concerned about the power bill, and would switch supplier to save at least NZ125 per year in power bills, ceteris paribus. This value mainly captures the status quo effect. Class 2 (46%) exhibits no status quo effect and values all the attributes offered including renewables, and particularly dislikes entrants from other sectors which have to charge at least NZ135 less per year compared to a traditional retailer for a 50% chance of attracting customers. Class 3 (14%) consists of captive and loyal respondents who would not switch supplier for any realistic bill savings. We find that failing to account for attribute non-attendance results in WTP estimates that are significantly lower for attributes that are not normally included in standard electricity plans. Also, respondents who claim to have ignored some attributes may not have done so; instead they assigned lower weights to these attributes. Respondents with low certainty scores are less sensitive to the power bill and are predicted to have significantly higher WTP. We find that using shorter versions of the NEP Scale to measure EA, increases bias in WTP for green electricity. We conclude… Advisors/Committee Members: Marsh, Dan (advisor), Scarpa, Riccardo (advisor).

Subjects/Keywords: consumer demand; electricity markets; choice experiments; latent class model; New Zealand; green electricity; willingness to pay; retail markets

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APA (6^th Edition):

Ndebele, T. (2016). Consumer Demand for Green Electricity: A Study of Consumer Switching in New Zealand Retail Electricity Markets . (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Waikato. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10289/10238

Chicago Manual of Style (16^th Edition):

Ndebele, Tom. “Consumer Demand for Green Electricity: A Study of Consumer Switching in New Zealand Retail Electricity Markets .” 2016. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Waikato. Accessed December 12, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10289/10238.

MLA Handbook (7^th Edition):

Ndebele, Tom. “Consumer Demand for Green Electricity: A Study of Consumer Switching in New Zealand Retail Electricity Markets .” 2016. Web. 12 Dec 2019.

Vancouver:

Ndebele T. Consumer Demand for Green Electricity: A Study of Consumer Switching in New Zealand Retail Electricity Markets . [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Waikato; 2016. [cited 2019 Dec 12]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/10238.

Council of Science Editors:

Ndebele T. Consumer Demand for Green Electricity: A Study of Consumer Switching in New Zealand Retail Electricity Markets . [Doctoral Dissertation]. University of Waikato; 2016. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/10238

University of Waikato

4. Kravchenko, Alexey. The Value of Irrigation Water in New Zealand .

Degree: 2016, University of Waikato

URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/10814

► The aim of this thesis is to examine issues pertaining to freshwater quantity in New Zealand agriculture. Currently, freshwater is managed under the Resource Management… (more)

▼ The aim of this thesis is to examine issues pertaining to freshwater quantity in New Zealand agriculture. Currently, freshwater is managed under the Resource Management Act (1991) and the allocation system is essentially on a “first-come first-served” basis – whoever gains access to water rights first blocks out subsequent users, if catchment allocation limits have been reached. One of the recommendations from a government taskforce engaged to look at the issues of freshwater management suggests that market mechanisms or charges could be viable options of demand management. For any such market or price mechanism to work, it is imperative to know the value of irrigation water in New Zealand as well as to understand wider economic ramifications of establishing such mechanisms. Currently, there is relatively little research concerning these issues and this thesis aims to fill this research gap. The methodologies used include an econometric analysis of dairy farm panel data, a stated choice experiment of irrigation consent holders and a computable general equilibrium [CGE] analysis. In addition to filling the research gap, this thesis also aims to provide improvements in each of the methodologies used. Panel data analysis imputes the water demand function without actual data on water through examining the relationship between milksolid production and output-weighted expected payout – a unique dairy price index developed that more accurately reflects farmers’ incentives than the final payout. The choice modelling section pays particular attention to the issue of attribute non-attendance [ANA], eexamining its effects on model outputs and compares methods of data collection on ANA. The main findings of the survey suggest that the majority of farmers would be willing to pay for water instead of facing an abstraction ban. In terms of ANA, the results indicate that not accounting for ANA, particularly if it is due to heuristics or respondent fatigue, may significantly bias the welfare estimates and decrease statistical significance. A novel calibration method is presented to negate the ANA bias. Finally, the CGE modelling work modifies the well-known GTAP model to include water as factor of production, as well as to disaggregate the results to a regional level within the New Zealand economy. The findings indicate strong interconnectedness between sectors and regions, with policies in one region having the potential to affect economic activity and resource demand in other regions. Advisors/Committee Members: Strutt, Anna (advisor), Scarpa, Riccardo (advisor), Gibson, John (advisor).

Subjects/Keywords: irrigation; choice modelling; stated choice; GTAP; econometrics; simulations

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APA (6^th Edition):

Kravchenko, A. (2016). The Value of Irrigation Water in New Zealand . (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Waikato. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10289/10814

Chicago Manual of Style (16^th Edition):

Kravchenko, Alexey. “The Value of Irrigation Water in New Zealand .” 2016. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Waikato. Accessed December 12, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10289/10814.

MLA Handbook (7^th Edition):

Kravchenko, Alexey. “The Value of Irrigation Water in New Zealand .” 2016. Web. 12 Dec 2019.

Vancouver:

Kravchenko A. The Value of Irrigation Water in New Zealand . [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Waikato; 2016. [cited 2019 Dec 12]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/10814.

Council of Science Editors:

Kravchenko A. The Value of Irrigation Water in New Zealand . [Doctoral Dissertation]. University of Waikato; 2016. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/10814

University of Waikato

5. Matthews, Yvonne Sharon. Issues in the non-market valuation of Coromandel coastal recreation: realism, permanence and spatial distribution .

Degree: 2017, University of Waikato

URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/11435

► The purpose of this thesis is to apply non-market valuation techniques to estimate the effect of coastal development and erosion protection on beach recreation values.… (more)

▼ The purpose of this thesis is to apply non-market valuation techniques to estimate the effect of coastal development and erosion protection on beach recreation values. The study area is the Coromandel Peninsula in New Zealand. The peninsula is a popular holiday destination and the coastal landscape generates strong feelings of attachment in many New Zealanders. However, twin pressures of rising coastal land values and shoreline fluctuations have led to conflict between people who want to protect or develop built environments and those who want to conserve or restore natural landscapes. The recreation amenity values which are under threat are difficult to include in a cost-benefit analysis of coastal policy because they have no explicit market price. I review the issues and limitations associated with non-market valuation methods and apply advanced visualisation and spatially-referenced data collection techniques to estimate the non-market values. This thesis comprises four papers which are either published or in the process of being published. A particular focus is whether 3D visualisations or "virtual environments" can improve the reliability and validity of stated preference results. The first paper describes the rationale and method for developing the virtual environments for use in a choice experiment about erosion protection and headland development. I find the virtual environments reduced bias, improved choice consistency and made respondents more likely to complete the survey. In the second paper I report the results of a choice experiment about development options for a specific undeveloped beach. I find that the virtual environment presentation format more strongly influences stated preferences amongst respondents with no direct experience of the site. The additional information provided by 3D visualisations may therefore be useful when people have to make decisions about the unfamiliar. In the third paper I report the results of tests of stability of stated preferences over time. A novel feature of this study is the use of two re-tests over time rather than just one. I find that stability at an individual level is positively associated with choice certainty. The virtual environments have a positive effect on respondent confidence but respondent education level has a larger effect. The large variation in stated value over time is consistent with the constructed preference viewpoint. However, the results are not necessarily incompatible with the alternative discovered preference hypothesis because there may have been too little consequential feedback to facilitate any preference learning. In the fourth paper I report the results of a destination choice analysis for beach recreation on the Coromandel Peninsula, using data collected in the same survey as the choice experiments. The focus of the fourth paper is the issue of spatially correlated errors caused by the spatial distribution of sites. Visitors are influenced by opportunities available at other sites and many visit multiple beaches in one trip,… Advisors/Committee Members: Scarpa, Riccardo (advisor), Marsh, Dan (advisor).

Subjects/Keywords: Choice modelling; non-market valuation; coastal recreation; virtual environment; thesis by publication

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APA (6^th Edition):

Matthews, Y. S. (2017). Issues in the non-market valuation of Coromandel coastal recreation: realism, permanence and spatial distribution . (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Waikato. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10289/11435

Chicago Manual of Style (16^th Edition):

Matthews, Yvonne Sharon. “Issues in the non-market valuation of Coromandel coastal recreation: realism, permanence and spatial distribution .” 2017. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Waikato. Accessed December 12, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10289/11435.

MLA Handbook (7^th Edition):

Matthews, Yvonne Sharon. “Issues in the non-market valuation of Coromandel coastal recreation: realism, permanence and spatial distribution .” 2017. Web. 12 Dec 2019.

Vancouver:

Matthews YS. Issues in the non-market valuation of Coromandel coastal recreation: realism, permanence and spatial distribution . [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Waikato; 2017. [cited 2019 Dec 12]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/11435.

Council of Science Editors:

Matthews YS. Issues in the non-market valuation of Coromandel coastal recreation: realism, permanence and spatial distribution . [Doctoral Dissertation]. University of Waikato; 2017. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/11435

University of Waikato

6. Mattea, Stefania. Three essays on stated choice experiments for nonmarket valuation of landslide protection .

Degree: 2018, University of Waikato

URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/12045

► This thesis consists of three essays that improve the general understanding of the public demand for safety programmes in the context of natural hazards. With… (more)

▼ This thesis consists of three essays that improve the general understanding of the public demand for safety programmes in the context of natural hazards. With the growing importance of this topic around the world, this study provides a practical and methodological contribution to the literature on Environmental Economics and Policy, especially local policy. In particular, this research examines people’s preferences and their willingness-to-pay for landslide mitigation programmes. The primary aim is to assess how the residents of and visitors to a mountain valley in the Alps value and trade off the multiple attributes of protection programmes for landslide risk reduction by applying Discrete Choice Modelling methodology. To address the current needs of local decision-makers, the investigation of the determinants of preference heterogeneity is the central theme of the research. The study is based on a panel choice dataset created from a Discrete Choice Experiment, based on full ranking, administered in person by the author to 250 respondents in the Boite Valley, Italy. The first essay examines the stability of preferences, investigating to what extent additional information has an impact on estimated values. Specifically, it studies whether respondents adjust their preferences based on scientific information provided on one specific attribute. A mixed logit model in willingness-to-pay space is implemented to account for preference heterogeneity. The findings suggest that respondents perceive the existing protection measures as insufficient. The provision of information affects only the attribute subject to additional information and the consideration of the current status of protection. Preferences for the other attributes remained stable. Preliminary evidence of spatial heterogeneity is also detected. The second essay addresses the issue of the stability of parameter estimates obtained through simulation using choice models with latent variables. Specifically, it analyses the stability of the coefficients to the number of simulation draws and the increasing number of latent variables. Three Random Parameter logit models with respectively one, two and three latent variables are fitted with six sets of increased numbers of draws. The landslide risk perceptions of respondents are modelled as latent sources of heterogeneity in the consideration of the riskiest scenario. Overall, the results show very stable estimates for the attributes’ coefficients but not for the latent variables. Thus, increasing the complexity by adding more latent factors into the model implies the necessity of additional draws in the simulation process to ensure empirical identification. The results also show how preferences are strongly related to the underlying perceptions of own mortality risk due to landslides and risk severity. The third essay explores multiple sources of preference heterogeneity, accounting for its spatial determinants. It emerges that the inclusion of more observables allows for a better segmentation of the policy based… Advisors/Committee Members: Scarpa, Riccardo (advisor), Cameron, Michael Patrick (advisor), Marsh, Dan (advisor).

Subjects/Keywords: choice experiments; nonmarket valuation; stated preference method; landslide; thesis by publication

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APA (6^th Edition):

Mattea, S. (2018). Three essays on stated choice experiments for nonmarket valuation of landslide protection . (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Waikato. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10289/12045

Chicago Manual of Style (16^th Edition):

Mattea, Stefania. “Three essays on stated choice experiments for nonmarket valuation of landslide protection .” 2018. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Waikato. Accessed December 12, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10289/12045.

MLA Handbook (7^th Edition):

Mattea, Stefania. “Three essays on stated choice experiments for nonmarket valuation of landslide protection .” 2018. Web. 12 Dec 2019.

Vancouver:

Mattea S. Three essays on stated choice experiments for nonmarket valuation of landslide protection . [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Waikato; 2018. [cited 2019 Dec 12]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/12045.

Council of Science Editors:

Mattea S. Three essays on stated choice experiments for nonmarket valuation of landslide protection . [Doctoral Dissertation]. University of Waikato; 2018. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/12045

7. Yao, Richard. The Non-Market Value of Biodiversity Enhancement in New Zealand's Planted Forests .

Degree: 2012, University of Waikato

URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/6399

► This study investigates the non-market value of biodiversity enhancement in New Zealand’s planted forests using the stated choice experiments (CE) approach. This study focuses on… (more)

▼ This study investigates the non-market value of biodiversity enhancement in New Zealand’s planted forests using the stated choice experiments (CE) approach. This study focuses on two issues. One issue is policy orientated where we estimate the non-market value of biodiversity enhancement and the determinants of this value. The other issue is about the neutrality of major experimental design criteria used in CE. Specifically, we examine the impact of using different criteria on attribute non-attendance, choice variability, choice determinism and learning. To estimate the non-market value of biodiversity enhancement, a random parameters logit model with error components is used to analyse choice data collected from 209 respondents across New Zealand. The panel nature of the choice data set is exploited to calculate the marginal willingness-to-pay (WTP) for environmental attributes of each respondent. Panel random-effects regression models are subsequently employed to determine the factors that influence individual-specific WTP values. Results suggest that New Zealand taxpayers would be willing to pay $26.5 million per year for five years for a proposed biodiversity enhancement programme. Random effects regression analysis suggest that respondents living close to large planted forests (i.e., less than 10 kilometres away) would pay more for the programme. To study whether the selection of experimental design criterion affects attribute non-attendance and choice variability, we analyse a balanced sample with split designs. The balanced sample is composed of 1509 choice observations equally distributed across three experimental designs, namely: orthogonal, Bayesian D-efficient and optimal orthogonal. Results from latent class logit analysis suggest that tasks derived from the Bayesian D-efficient design (BDD) criterion are more attended than those derived from orthogonal and optimal orthogonal designs. Heteroskedastic logit analysis indicates that, unlike the two other designs, higher choice task complexity (as measured by entropy proxies) in the BDD does not increase choice variability of respondents. This is indicated by the absence of a significant increase in the variance of the Gumbel error in the choice data collected using BDD unlike the data collected using the two other criteria. To study whether the three experimental designs vary in terms of choice determinism and task order effects, a separate analysis of the balanced data set using heteroskedastic logit models is undertaken. Results show that higher levels of choice task complexity (as measured by attribute dispersion proxies) in BDD contribute to increasing choice determinism of respondents but not in the orthogonal design. Choice data collected using BDD choice tasks exhibit a steady learning effect, unlike the other designs which do not exhibit any form of continuous learning. We conclude that the BDD criterion provides choice tasks that are superior compared to the other two design criteria. Choice data collected using this criterion has a higher… Advisors/Committee Members: Scarpa, Riccardo (advisor), Kaval, Pamela (advisor).

Subjects/Keywords: non-market value; biodiversity; choice experiments; planted forests; willingness to pay; native species

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APA (6^th Edition):

Yao, R. (2012). The Non-Market Value of Biodiversity Enhancement in New Zealand's Planted Forests . (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Waikato. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10289/6399

Chicago Manual of Style (16^th Edition):

Yao, Richard. “The Non-Market Value of Biodiversity Enhancement in New Zealand's Planted Forests .” 2012. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Waikato. Accessed December 12, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10289/6399.

MLA Handbook (7^th Edition):

Yao, Richard. “The Non-Market Value of Biodiversity Enhancement in New Zealand's Planted Forests .” 2012. Web. 12 Dec 2019.

Vancouver:

Yao R. The Non-Market Value of Biodiversity Enhancement in New Zealand's Planted Forests . [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Waikato; 2012. [cited 2019 Dec 12]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/6399.

Council of Science Editors:

Yao R. The Non-Market Value of Biodiversity Enhancement in New Zealand's Planted Forests . [Doctoral Dissertation]. University of Waikato; 2012. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/6399

8. Mkwara, Lena Asimenye. Economic Valuation of Water Quality Improvements in New Zealand .

Degree: 2015, University of Waikato

URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/9319

► Efficient decision making in environmental management requires good data on the costs and benefits of changes in environmental quality. However, full assessment of the benefits… (more)

▼ Efficient decision making in environmental management requires good data on the costs and benefits of changes in environmental quality. However, full assessment of the benefits of better water quality has been a challenge because some of the component values cannot be directly measured. The advent of non-market valuation techniques has made it possible to estimate these values. In this thesis, the travel cost random utility model and fishing choice data from the National Angling Survey are used to assess the benefits of better water quality for trout anglers in the Rotorua Lakes and a choice experiment is used to assess the benefits of cleaner streams for Karapiro catchment residents. We also explore three methodological aspects which may affect non market value estimates, namely within season variability, scale heterogeneity across individuals and respondent perceptions of the status quo. Accounting for within-season variability in site attributes that are variable across the season may reduce multicollinearity. We find that differences in welfare estimates between models accounting for within-season variability and those that do not may result from differences in attribute and collinearity levels or the combined effect of both. We assess whether benefit estimates remain stable over time using models that account for scale heterogeneity across individuals and demonstrate that ignoring scale heterogeneity across the sampled population may result in researchers erroneously concluding that estimates of marginal willingness to pay are stable over time. A choice experiment on preferences for stream water quality is used to assess the effects of respondent’s perception of status quo conditions on welfare estimates. The results build on earlier findings which suggest that failure to take account of respondents’ beliefs leads to biased welfare estimates. Overall we find that lakes with better water clarity, that are larger in size, with bigger fish, more facilities and more forest cover are preferred. Similarly, streams with water quality that is suitable for swimming and where trout are found, are preferred. We estimate the aggregate annual benefit for anglers of a one metre increase in water clarity in all the Rotorua Lakes which currently have poor or average water water quality to be NZ2.3 million. The travel cost RUM is also used to assess the overall benefit that trout anglers obtain from each lake. The annual level of these benefits totals NZ21.7 million. Advisors/Committee Members: Marsh, Dan (advisor), Scarpa, Riccardo (advisor).

Subjects/Keywords: Water quality; Non-market valuation; Travel cost random utility model; Choice experiment; Trout angling

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APA (6^th Edition):

Mkwara, L. A. (2015). Economic Valuation of Water Quality Improvements in New Zealand . (Doctoral Dissertation). University of Waikato. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10289/9319

Chicago Manual of Style (16^th Edition):

Mkwara, Lena Asimenye. “Economic Valuation of Water Quality Improvements in New Zealand .” 2015. Doctoral Dissertation, University of Waikato. Accessed December 12, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/10289/9319.

MLA Handbook (7^th Edition):

Mkwara, Lena Asimenye. “Economic Valuation of Water Quality Improvements in New Zealand .” 2015. Web. 12 Dec 2019.

Vancouver:

Mkwara LA. Economic Valuation of Water Quality Improvements in New Zealand . [Internet] [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Waikato; 2015. [cited 2019 Dec 12]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/9319.

Council of Science Editors:

Mkwara LA. Economic Valuation of Water Quality Improvements in New Zealand . [Doctoral Dissertation]. University of Waikato; 2015. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/10289/9319

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Open Access Theses and Dissertations