Work

The value of wildlife viewing when wildlife populations are mobile

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This paper presents research on the economic value of wildlife watching trips. Our analysis accounts for wildlife mobility and connectivity between viewing sites, which could bias basic welfare calculations, by linking demand to spatially connected, site-specific populations. We examine the potential for bias with an application to birdwatching in Indiana. Viewers value species diversity and population abundance, particularly sandhill cranes. Scenarios that ignore spatial connectivity overstate welfare losses by up to 34%.

Source: Agricultural and Resource Economics Review

DOI: 10.1017/age.2026.10028

Authors: Richard T. Melstrom, Farron Edmonds, Carson Reeling

Institutions: Loyola University Chicago, Purdue University West Lafayette

Language: English

Topic: Economic and Environmental Valuation

Subfield: Economics and Econometrics

Field: Economics, Econometrics and Finance

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Life on land

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,600