TY - JOUR

T1 - Estimating Benefits of Improving Water Quality in the Largest Remaining Tidal Flat in South Korea

AU - Endo, Isao

AU - Walton, Mark

AU - Chae, Sunyoung

AU - Park, Gyung-Soo

PY - 2012/6

Y1 - 2012/6

N2 - This study, employing contingent behavior approach,examines the benefits of improving water qualityin the largest remaining tidal flat in South Korea. Thesouthern tidal flat of Ganghwa Island, a major stoppingpoint for significant numbers of migratory birds on theAustral-Asian flyway, draws thousands of visitors everymonth. However, the current water quality, degraded dueto pollution, negatively affects ecosystem services that thetidal flat provides for many creatures, including the lastremaining populations of endangered black-faced spoonbill.Questionnaire surveys targeting visitors to the tidal flat havebeen conducted in 2009. Application of the negative binomialmodel has indicated that the total recreational value ofthe tidal flat is approximately 11.2 billion Korean won(KRW) per year. The annual benefits of improving the waterquality by introducing sewage-treatment plants are estimatedas KRW 13.4 billion, while the costs of constructing andoperating the plants account for less than 3% of the benefits.There is a strong economic justification for investing in theplants to improve the water quality. These findings areuseful for policymakers to positively consider public spendingin the tidal flat conservation.

AB - This study, employing contingent behavior approach,examines the benefits of improving water qualityin the largest remaining tidal flat in South Korea. Thesouthern tidal flat of Ganghwa Island, a major stoppingpoint for significant numbers of migratory birds on theAustral-Asian flyway, draws thousands of visitors everymonth. However, the current water quality, degraded dueto pollution, negatively affects ecosystem services that thetidal flat provides for many creatures, including the lastremaining populations of endangered black-faced spoonbill.Questionnaire surveys targeting visitors to the tidal flat havebeen conducted in 2009. Application of the negative binomialmodel has indicated that the total recreational value ofthe tidal flat is approximately 11.2 billion Korean won(KRW) per year. The annual benefits of improving the waterquality by introducing sewage-treatment plants are estimatedas KRW 13.4 billion, while the costs of constructing andoperating the plants account for less than 3% of the benefits.There is a strong economic justification for investing in theplants to improve the water quality. These findings areuseful for policymakers to positively consider public spendingin the tidal flat conservation.

U2 - 10.1007/s13157-012-0282-z

DO - 10.1007/s13157-012-0282-z

M3 - Article

VL - 32

SP - 487

EP - 496

JO - Wetlands

JF - Wetlands

SN - 0277-5212

IS - 3

ER -