Economic Valuation of Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog Conservation
The northern white-breasted hedgehog (<i>Erinaceus roumanicus</i>) is a charismatic insectivore mammal threatened by habitat loss, the use of biocides, and collisions with vehicles. We aimed at valorizing hedgehog conservation through the contingent valuation method for estimating the pr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Diversity |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/4/490 |
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| author | Vasileios J. Kontsiotis Despina Chrysopoulou Parthena Chrysopoulou Vasilios Liordos |
| author_facet | Vasileios J. Kontsiotis Despina Chrysopoulou Parthena Chrysopoulou Vasilios Liordos |
| author_sort | Vasileios J. Kontsiotis |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The northern white-breasted hedgehog (<i>Erinaceus roumanicus</i>) is a charismatic insectivore mammal threatened by habitat loss, the use of biocides, and collisions with vehicles. We aimed at valorizing hedgehog conservation through the contingent valuation method for estimating the proportion and the amount of willingness to pay (WTP) and the effects of cognitions and sociodemographic characteristics on WTP. We collected data through interviews with 704 residents of four administrative regions of northern Greece. Binary logistic regression and Welsh–Poe interval regression were used for estimating the effects of predictors on the proportion and mean WTP, respectively. Most participants (58.2%) were WTP a mean of EUR 31.7 for hedgehog conservation, totaling EUR 21.9 million annually when projected to the population. Positive attitudes, mutualism wildlife orientations, intention to participate in hedgehog conservation actions, and participation in consumptive and non-consumptive wildlife-related recreational activities increased WTP. Highly educated females, with high income and a pet were more WTP than less educated males, with low income and without a pet. Findings provided necessary information to managers about the value of hedgehog conservation, the potential for raising required funds and the differences in WTP among and within public groups. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:06:23Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-bd05cc8938d043ac93cffea9177e28dd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-2818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T05:06:23Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Diversity |
| spelling | doaj.art-bd05cc8938d043ac93cffea9177e28dd2023-11-17T18:56:22ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182023-03-0115449010.3390/d15040490Economic Valuation of Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog ConservationVasileios J. Kontsiotis0Despina Chrysopoulou1Parthena Chrysopoulou2Vasilios Liordos3Department of Forest and Natural Environment Sciences, International Hellenic University, P.O. Box 172, 66100 Drama, GreeceDepartment of Forest and Natural Environment Sciences, International Hellenic University, P.O. Box 172, 66100 Drama, GreeceDepartment of Forest and Natural Environment Sciences, International Hellenic University, P.O. Box 172, 66100 Drama, GreeceDepartment of Forest and Natural Environment Sciences, International Hellenic University, P.O. Box 172, 66100 Drama, GreeceThe northern white-breasted hedgehog (<i>Erinaceus roumanicus</i>) is a charismatic insectivore mammal threatened by habitat loss, the use of biocides, and collisions with vehicles. We aimed at valorizing hedgehog conservation through the contingent valuation method for estimating the proportion and the amount of willingness to pay (WTP) and the effects of cognitions and sociodemographic characteristics on WTP. We collected data through interviews with 704 residents of four administrative regions of northern Greece. Binary logistic regression and Welsh–Poe interval regression were used for estimating the effects of predictors on the proportion and mean WTP, respectively. Most participants (58.2%) were WTP a mean of EUR 31.7 for hedgehog conservation, totaling EUR 21.9 million annually when projected to the population. Positive attitudes, mutualism wildlife orientations, intention to participate in hedgehog conservation actions, and participation in consumptive and non-consumptive wildlife-related recreational activities increased WTP. Highly educated females, with high income and a pet were more WTP than less educated males, with low income and without a pet. Findings provided necessary information to managers about the value of hedgehog conservation, the potential for raising required funds and the differences in WTP among and within public groups.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/4/490mammalswildlife value orientationsstated preferencerandom utilityeconometric modelErinaceidae |
| spellingShingle | Vasileios J. Kontsiotis Despina Chrysopoulou Parthena Chrysopoulou Vasilios Liordos Economic Valuation of Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog Conservation Diversity mammals wildlife value orientations stated preference random utility econometric model Erinaceidae |
| title | Economic Valuation of Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog Conservation |
| title_full | Economic Valuation of Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog Conservation |
| title_fullStr | Economic Valuation of Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog Conservation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Economic Valuation of Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog Conservation |
| title_short | Economic Valuation of Northern White-Breasted Hedgehog Conservation |
| title_sort | economic valuation of northern white breasted hedgehog conservation |
| topic | mammals wildlife value orientations stated preference random utility econometric model Erinaceidae |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/15/4/490 |
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