Social and Economic Aspects of Sea Turtle Conservation
359
14.3.2 N ONUSE V ALUES
14.3.2.1 Existence Value
Many people would agree that there is value in just knowing that sea turtles exist.
This concept of cognitive value is more than a starting point for philosophical debate;
it can be an economic force that is measurable by methods revealing stated preference
(see Section 14.6). People are willing to pay in order to keep sea turtles around.
Existence value (Kramer and Mercer, 1997; Larson, 1993) is a term that is often
used to capture a varied range of nonuse values to include bequest and intrinsic
values (defined in Sections 14.3.2.2 and 14.3.2.3), and ethical, moral, and social
values. Existence value also includes ecological value generated by effects of sea
turtles on ecosystems shared with humans.
14.3.2.2 Bequest Value
Bequest value is the value of sea turtles as a resource for our kin or for future society.
Bequest value might be considered to be part of existence value.
14.3.2.3 Intrinsic Value
Intrinsic value is not easily appraised by humans. Although we might debate its
importance in assigning a total value to sea turtles, there is little sense in arguing
over the value’s magnitude. There are no units for intrinsic value common to other
value assessments. Some of the argument that sea turtles have at least some intrinsic
value comes from the assertion that all living things do. Commonly, animals that
are large and charismatic, like sea turtles, are publicly perceived to have a high
intrinsic value (Wilson and Peter, 1988). Sea turtles also may receive intrinsic-value
points for longevity. The perception that sea turtles are ancient animals (with sea
turtles extant for approximately 100 million years, this perception is accurate) often
adds to discussions in the media about why sea turtles should be saved (authors’
personal observations).
14.3.3 T OTAL V ALUE
Total value is the sum of all use and nonuse values. It will be difficult to include an
assessment of total value in any evaluation of sea turtles. It is important to keep in
mind that sea turtles almost always have unreported value to groups of people we
fail to include when we focus our attention too narrowly on any particular use or
nonuse value.
14.4 THE VALUE OF SEA TURTLE PARTS AND SUMS
Value can be placed on sea turtles at several levels: on sea turtle genes, individuals,
populations, species, and phenomena, and on the functions of communities and
ecosystems that have sea turtles as component species. Part of the total value of sea
turtles comes from their genetic diversity, but human beings have only begun to
1123 book.book Page 359 Monday, November 11, 2002 11:11 AM
359
14.3.2 N ONUSE V ALUES
14.3.2.1 Existence Value
Many people would agree that there is value in just knowing that sea turtles exist.
This concept of cognitive value is more than a starting point for philosophical debate;
it can be an economic force that is measurable by methods revealing stated preference
(see Section 14.6). People are willing to pay in order to keep sea turtles around.
Existence value (Kramer and Mercer, 1997; Larson, 1993) is a term that is often
used to capture a varied range of nonuse values to include bequest and intrinsic
values (defined in Sections 14.3.2.2 and 14.3.2.3), and ethical, moral, and social
values. Existence value also includes ecological value generated by effects of sea
turtles on ecosystems shared with humans.
14.3.2.2 Bequest Value
Bequest value is the value of sea turtles as a resource for our kin or for future society.
Bequest value might be considered to be part of existence value.
14.3.2.3 Intrinsic Value
Intrinsic value is not easily appraised by humans. Although we might debate its
importance in assigning a total value to sea turtles, there is little sense in arguing
over the value’s magnitude. There are no units for intrinsic value common to other
value assessments. Some of the argument that sea turtles have at least some intrinsic
value comes from the assertion that all living things do. Commonly, animals that
are large and charismatic, like sea turtles, are publicly perceived to have a high
intrinsic value (Wilson and Peter, 1988). Sea turtles also may receive intrinsic-value
points for longevity. The perception that sea turtles are ancient animals (with sea
turtles extant for approximately 100 million years, this perception is accurate) often
adds to discussions in the media about why sea turtles should be saved (authors’
personal observations).
14.3.3 T OTAL V ALUE
Total value is the sum of all use and nonuse values. It will be difficult to include an
assessment of total value in any evaluation of sea turtles. It is important to keep in
mind that sea turtles almost always have unreported value to groups of people we
fail to include when we focus our attention too narrowly on any particular use or
nonuse value.
14.4 THE VALUE OF SEA TURTLE PARTS AND SUMS
Value can be placed on sea turtles at several levels: on sea turtle genes, individuals,
populations, species, and phenomena, and on the functions of communities and
ecosystems that have sea turtles as component species. Part of the total value of sea
turtles comes from their genetic diversity, but human beings have only begun to
1123 book.book Page 359 Monday, November 11, 2002 11:11 AM