SABIIA - Sistema Aberto e Integrado de Informação em Agricultura (Sabiia)

Opinions differ about what types of policies are likely to be most effective in conserving wildlife species. For example, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) is based on the premise that curbing the commercial use of endangered species favours their conservation, whereas the Convention on Biological Diversity envisages the possibility that such use may contribute to the conservation of species. In Australia, as illustrated in the case of the saltwater crocodile, the governments of the Northern Territory and Western Australia have favoured the latter policy in recent years whereas Queensland has favoured the former approach. The saltwater crocodile management plan of the Northern Territory provides an...

Public Attitudes to the Use of Wildlife by Aboriginal Australians: Marketing of Wildlife and its Conservation

Palavras-chave: Australia; Conservation economics; Convention on Biological Diversity; Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species; Crocodylus porosus; Property rights; Saltwater crocodiles; Sustainable use; Wildlife conservation.; Environmental Economics and Policy; Farm Management.

Ano: 2005

URL: http://purl.umn.edu/55068

Attitudes of a sample of the Australian public towards the subsistence use of wildlife by indigenous Australians and whether or not indigenous Australians should be allowed to sell wildlife and wildlife products is examined. It has been suggested that allowing such possibilities would provide economic incentives for nature conservation among local people. We explore whether those sampled believe that indigenous Australians should do more than other groups and institutions to conserve Australia’s tropical species, and whether or not indigenous Australians should be allowed to take common as well as endangered wildlife species for food. Attitudes of the sampled public towards indigenous Australians earning income from trophy hunting and from the harvesting...

Comparison of Funding and Demand for the Conservation of the Charismatic Koala with those for the Critically Endangered Wombat Lasiorhinus krefftii

Palavras-chave: Australia; Australian Aborigines; Indigenous rights; Public attitudes to conservation; Subsistence rights; Sustainable use; Resource management; Wildlife conservation; Environmental Economics and Policy; Institutional and Behavioral Economics.

Ano: 2005

URL: http://purl.umn.edu/55069

This study contrasts the actual conservation spending and the Australian public’s demand for conservation funding for two Australian mammal species, the koala and the northern hairy-nosed wombat. It involves a survey of 204 members of the Australian public. Willingness to fund conservation action to protect the northern hairy-nosed wombat was found to be higher than that for the koala despite the koala’s immense popularity. The critically endangered status of the northern-hairy nosed wombat and the more secure conservation status of the koala is a factor likely to have influenced the comparative willingness-to-pay decisions. Actual annual conservation expenditure for both species is lower than the estimated aggregate willingness-to-pay for their...

Public Valuation of and Attitudes towards the Conservation and Use of the Hawksbill Turtle: An Australian Case Study

Palavras-chave: Charismatic fauna; Conservation demand; Conservation funding; Contingent valuation; Endangerment; Koala; Lasiorhinus krefftii; Northern hairy-nosed wombat; Phascolarctos cinereus; Environmental Economics and Policy; Institutional and Behavioral Economics.

Ano: 2005

URL: http://purl.umn.edu/55067

Tisdell, Clement A.; Swarna Nantha, Hemanath; Wilson, Clevo.

Managing hawksbill turtle populations for use and conservation requires (i) adequate scientific understanding of their population status and dynamics and (ii) consideration of the public’s attitudes to this species. This study employs experimental surveys to assess the Australian public’s attitudes towards the hawksbill turtle, their knowledge of it, their views about its sustainable commercial harvesting, and their support and financial contribution for the species’ conservation. Contingent valuation reveals that the Australian public’s willingness to contribute to the conservation of the hawksbill turtle is high even in comparison to threatened Australian bird and mammal fauna. Most of this stated contribution is based on the intrinsic (non-use) value...

Endangerment and Likeability of Wildlife Species: How Important are they for Proposed Payments for Conservation

Palavras-chave: Attitudes; CITES; Economics of conservation; Eretmochelys imbricata; Hawksbill turtle; Non-use economic value; Sustainable use; Environmental Economics and Policy; Institutional and Behavioral Economics.

Ano: 2005

URL: http://purl.umn.edu/55066

Tisdell, Clement A.; Swarna Nantha, Hemanath; Wilson, Clevo.

Examines empirically the relative influence of the degree of endangerment of wildlife species and their stated likeability on individuals’ willingness to pay (WTP) for their conservation. To do this, it utilises data obtained from the IUCN Red List and likeability and WTP data obtained from two serial surveys of a sample of the Australian public who were requested to assess 24 Australian wildlife species in each of three animal classes: mammals, birds and reptiles. Between the first and second survey, respondents were provided with extra information about the focal species. This information resulted in the clear dominance of endangerment as the major influence on the WTP of respondents for the conservation of the focal wildlife species. Our results throw...

Dynamic Processes in the Contingent Valuation of an Endangered Mammal Species

Palavras-chave: Conservation of wildlife species; Contingent valuation; Endangerment of species; Likeability of species; Willingness to pay.; Environmental Economics and Policy.

Ano: 2004

URL: http://purl.umn.edu/51419

Tisdell, Clement A.; Wilson, Clevo; Swarna Nantha, Hemanath.

Reports experimental results involving 204 members of the public who were asked their willingness to pay for the conservation of the mahogany glider Petaurus gracilis on three occasions: prior to information being provided to them about the glider and other wildlife species; after such information was provided, and after participants had an opportunity to see live specimens of this endangered species. Variations in the mean willingness to pay are analysed. Concerns arise about whether information provision and experience reveal ‘true’ contingent valuations of public goods and about the choice of the relevant contingent valuation measure.

Comparative Costs and Conservation Policies for the Survival of the Oranutan and Other Species: Includes an Example

Palavras-chave: Contingent valuation; Experience; Information; Reliability; Time.; Environmental Economics and Policy.

Ano: 2005

URL: http://purl.umn.edu/55064

The extent to which conservation is feasible is constrained by budgets and the financial sacrifice stakeholders are willing to bear. Therefore a possible objective for conserving a species is to minimise the cost of achieving that stated aim. For example, if a minimum viable population (MVP) of a species is to be conserved, the size and type of habitats reserved for this could be selected to minimise cost. This requires consideration of the comparative (relative) opportunity costs of reserving different land types for conservation. A general model is developed to demonstrate this and is applied to the case of the orangutan. In the ecological literature, recommendations for reserving different types of land for conservation have been based on comparisons of...

The Orangutan-oil Palm Conflict: Economic Constraints and Opportunities for Conservation

Palavras-chave: Comparative costs; Conservation in situ; Costs of conservation; Environmental policy; Minimum viable populations; Opportunity costs; Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus); Community/Rural/Urban Development; Environmental Economics and Policy; Q01; Q13; Q57; Q58..

Ano: 2010

URL: http://purl.umn.edu/90466

Swarna Nantha, Hemanath; Tisdell, Clement A..

The future of the orangutan (Pongo spp.) is far from secure despite the species’ high profile and media attention. The traditional threat to the orangutan has been widespread logging, but the continuing conversion of remaining habitat for oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) cultivation is hastening its extinction in the wild. This situation is driven by a robust global market for palm oil as a vegetable oil and biofuel. In tackling this conservation problem, therefore, economic factors cannot be overlooked. This article analyses these factors and how they curtail effective orangutan conservation. Of significance are the high opportunity costs of orangutan conservation and market failures associated with the public-goods nature of the orangutan’s forest habitat....

Dependence of public support for survival of wildlife species on their likeability

Palavras-chave: Conservation; Oil palm; Opportunity cost; Orangutan; Public goods; Environmental Economics and Policy; Land Economics/Use.

Ano: 2008

URL: http://purl.umn.edu/55318

Tisdell, Clement A.; Wilson, Clevo; Swarna Nantha, Hemanath.

We surveyed a sample of 204 individuals selected from the public in Brisbane, Australia, to ascertain the extent to which they like or dislike 24 species of wildlife present in tropical Australia. The species belong to three classes: mammals, birds and reptiles. We calculated likeability indices for each of these species. We also asked respondents if they favoured the survival of each of these species and so the percentage of respondents favouring survival of each of these species could be calculated. Thus, using linear regression analysis, the percentage of respondents favouring survival of each of the species was related to their indices of likeability. In addition, the data enables the average likeability of species in the three classes (mammals, birds...

An Initial Assessment of Policies for Saving a Rare Australian Glider: Experimental Results, Economics and Ecology

Palavras-chave: Willingness to pay; Australian Wildlife; Conservation.; Environmental Economics and Policy.

Ano: 2004

URL: http://purl.umn.edu/51413

Tisdell, Clement A.; Wilson, Clevo; Swarna Nantha, Hemanath.

Reviews the ecological status of the mahogany glider and describes its distribution, habitat and abundance, life history and threats to it. Three serial surveys of Brisbane residents provide data on the knowledge of respondents about the mahogany glider. The results provide information about the attitudes of respondents to the mahogany glider, to its conservation and relevant public policies and about variations in these factors as the knowledge of participants of the mahogany glider alters. Similarly data is provided and analysed about the willingness to pay of respondents to conserve the mahogany glider. Population viability analysis is applied to estimate the required habitat area for a minimum viable population of the mahogany glider to ensure at least...

Conservation of the Proboscis Monkey and the Orangutan in Borneo: Comparative Issues and Economic Considerations

Palavras-chave: Conservation policies; Contingent valuation; Knowledge; Mahogany glider Petaurus gracilis; Population viability analysis; Social cost-benefit analysis; Environmental Economics and Policy.

Ano: 2004

URL: http://purl.umn.edu/51290

Concentrating on their presence in Borneo, the ecology and conservation of two large Southeast Asian primates, the orangutan Pongo pymaeus and the proboscis monkey Nasalis larvatus are reviewed. The former species occurs only in Borneo and Sumatra and the latter only in Borneo. The comparative threats facing these two endangered primates and their approximate numbers in the wild are put into perspective. The long-term survival of both species is adversely affected by the degradation and conversion of their suitable forest habitat by logging and agriculture, the occurrence of hunting, poaching and forest fires. The effectiveness of measures to conserve these species are discussed and evaluated from the standpoint of economics. It is concluded that informed...

Australian Tropical Reptile Species: Ecological Status, Public Valuation and Attitudes to their Conservation and Commercial Use

Palavras-chave: Proboscis Monkey; Orangutan; Borneo; Conservation; Environmental Economics and Policy.

Ano: 2007

URL: http://purl.umn.edu/55097

Tisdell, Clement A.; Wilson, Clevo; Swarna Nantha, Hemanath.

Five species of reptiles present in tropical Australia are considered in this study. These are the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata); the northern long-necked turtle (Chelodina rugosa); the taipan snake (Oxyuranus scutellatus); the freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni); and the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). Background information is provided on the ecological status of each of these species and after outlining their human use (including commercial use) and management in Australia, an experimental survey method is introduced and results from its application are reported and analysed. The survey method involves two serial surveys of a sample of 204 Brisbane (Australia) residents. The first survey is based on the initial knowledge...

Comparative Public Support for Conserving Reptile Species is High: Australian Evidence and its Implications

Palavras-chave: Public Valuation; Australia; Turtle; Saltwater and freshwater crocodiles; Snake; Conservation; Environmental Economics and Policy.

Ano: 2004

URL: http://purl.umn.edu/51408

Tisdell, Clement A.; Wilson, Clevo; Swarna Nantha, Hemanath.

This paper investigates factors influencing the public’s support for conservation of tropical reptile species in a focal group drawing on Australian data and an experiment involving a sample of the Australian public. The influences of the likeability of the species, their degree of endangerment, ethical considerations as well as knowledge are examined and found to be important. Likeability is found to be much less important than the existing literature suggests. This is highlighted by comparing the likeability of the focal group of reptiles with that for a group of birds and a group of mammals with differences in willingness to pay for their conservation.

A Report on the Management of Saltwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in the Northern Territory: Results of a Survey of Pastoralists

Palavras-chave: Conservation; Endangerment; Ethics; Knowledge; Likeability; Reptiles; WTP (willingness to pay); Environmental Economics and Policy.

Ano: 2004

URL: http://purl.umn.edu/51412

Tisdell, Clement A.; Wilson, Clevo; Swarna Nantha, Hemanath.

The management of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in the Northern Territory is an important component of the State’s wildlife management policy. It encompasses saltwater crocodile control (the removal of problem crocodiles dangerous to humans and livestock), and the regulation of harvesting, farming and ranching of saltwater crocodiles for the production of commercial products. The distribution of saltwater crocodiles and their habitats often extend onto private and communal lands along the coastal belt of the Northern Territory, and therefore are a concern of landholders both Aboriginal and pastoral. This report presents the findings of a study of managers of Northern Territory cattle properties (pastoralists). Their attitudes are surveyed...

Public Support for Sustainable Commercial Harvesting of Wildlife: An Australian Case Study

Palavras-chave: Saltwater Crocodiles; Environmental Economics and Policy.

Ano: 2005

URL: http://purl.umn.edu/55089

Tisdell, Clement A.; Wilson, Clevo; Swarna Nantha, Hemanath.

This paper surveys a sample of 204 members of the Australian public to determine their attitude to the sustainable commercial harvesting of wildlife generally, and considers their specific support for the sustainable commercial harvesting of each of 24 Australian native species. The general attitude of the sample to wildlife harvesting is related to their attitude to nature conservation. The relationship between respondents’ support for the sustainable commercial harvesting of each of the species and their degree of endangerment based on IUCN Red List rankings is established and found to be an inverse one. Support for the commercial sustainable use of each of the species is compared with the willingness of respondents to pay for their conservation. Support...

Supply-side Policies to Conserve Biodiversity and Save the Orangutan from Oil Palm Expansion: An Economic Assessment

Palavras-chave: Australian wildlife species; Conservation policy; Commercial harvesting; Economic incentives; Endangerment; Public attitudes; Sustainable use; Trade.; Environmental Economics and Policy.

Ano: 2004

URL: http://purl.umn.edu/51418

Tropical forests are biodiversity-rich but are dwindling at a rapid rate, not only in Southeast Asia but elsewhere also. The result is a loss of natural ecosystems, a reduction in carbon sequestration, and increasing global extinction of wild species, including iconic species. While several developments contribute to the destruction of tropical forests, the main threat comes from their clearing for the purpose of agricultural production, for example in the Amazon Basin for the expansion of the beef industry and soya bean cultivation. In Borneo and Sumatra, the principal threat to tropical forests comes from the expansion of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) cultivation. This is expected to result in significant biodiversity loss and is a danger to the...

Dynamic Processes in Contingent Valuation: A Case Study Involving the Mahogany Glider

Palavras-chave: Oil Palm; Borneo; Orangutan; Conservation; Environmental Economics and Policy; Land Economics/Use.

Ano: 2008

URL: http://purl.umn.edu/55111

Tisdell, Clement A.; Wilson, Clevo; Swarna Nantha, Hemanath.

This paper reports the results of an experiment involving a sample of 204 members of the public who were assessed on three occasions about their willingness to pay for the conservation of the mahogany glider. They were asked this question prior to information being provided to them about the glider and other focal wildlife species; after such information was provided, and finally after participants had had an opportunity to see live specimens of this glider. The mean willingness to pay of the relevant samples are compared and found to show significant variations. Theories are considered that help explain the dynamics of these variations. Serious concerns are raised about the capacity of information provision to reveal ‘true’ contingent valuations of public...

Public Choice of Species for the Ark: Phylogenetic Similarity and Preferred Wildlife Species for Survival

Palavras-chave: Awareness; Contingent valuation; Dynamic processes; Experiential learning; Information; Wildlife; Willingness to pay; Environmental Economics and Policy; D83; D84; Q51; Q57.

Ano: 2004

URL: http://purl.umn.edu/51414

Tisdell, Clement A.; Wilson, Clevo; Swarna Nantha, Hemanath.

Humans play a role in deciding which species are preserved and which will perish in the current extinction wave. Because of the Similarity Principle, physical attractiveness and likeability, it is argued that public choice would greatly favour the survival of higher-order species at the expense of others. This paper empirically tests this argument by considering a hypothetical ‘Ark’ situation. Results are drawn from surveys of 204 members of the Australian public who were asked whether they are in favour of the survival of each of 24 native mammal, bird and reptile species. The species were ranked by percentage of ‘yes’ votes received. Species composition in various fractions of the ranking was determined. If the Similarity Principle holds, mammals would...