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Economic valuation of Shadegan International Wetland, Iran: notes for conservation

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Abstract

Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on the earth. They produce various market and non-market goods and services, which have a significant role in human welfare. Despite the great opportunities from sustainable development, wetlands all over the world are under serious threat from a diverse range of non-sustainable activities. One of the major reasons for excessive depletion and the conversion of wetland resources is due to underestimating the non-market values of wetlands during development decisions. Shadegan International Wetland (SIW) in southern Iran is one of these wetland areas that is threatened by undervaluation and overexploitation from commercial activities. This study utilizes the contingent valuation method to estimate the economic benefits of SIW from the view point of peoples’ willingness to pay (WTP). The logit model was defined based on dichotomous choice to measure individuals’ WTP. The estimated mean WTP was US$ 1.74 per household as a onetime donation. This study concludes that the benefits of SIW to society could encourage managers to set priorities to ensure that the health of the ecosystem, its integrity, and its uniqueness would be conserved in a proper manner.

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Notes

  1. Even more recently in 2007, the Economics of Ecosystems and biodiversity (TEEB) study established by the G8 and developing countries environment ministers. The aim is to increase global attention to biodiversity benefits and growing cost of biodiversity and natural ecosystems loss. TEEB tries by connecting policy makers to environmental conservation and its benefit find out solutions to prevent further ecosystem and biodiversity degradations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Management, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Sara kaffashi, Mad Nasir Shamsudin, Alias Radam, Khalid Abdul Rahim, Mohd Rusli Yacob, Azizi Muda & Muhammad Yazid

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  1. Sara kaffashi
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  2. Mad Nasir Shamsudin
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  3. Alias Radam
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  4. Khalid Abdul Rahim
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  5. Mohd Rusli Yacob
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  6. Azizi Muda
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  7. Muhammad Yazid
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Correspondence to Sara kaffashi.

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kaffashi, S., Shamsudin, M.N., Radam, A. et al. Economic valuation of Shadegan International Wetland, Iran: notes for conservation. Reg Environ Change 11, 925–934 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-011-0225-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-011-0225-x

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