17.6.3 Benefit–Cost Analysis
The benefit–cost analysis compared the value that the public placed on eliminating
the spread of A. saligna in the nature reserve with the estimated cost of controlling
the spread. Estimating the total economic value using the mean use value of
visitors to the nature reserve of eradication of the invasive species we arrived at a
benefit of approximately US$570,000. The estimated one-time cost of controlling
the spread of A. saligna ranged between US$195,000 and US$400,000
(Table 17.6). Thus, we can conclude that the value of the coastal sand dune
biodiversity is higher than the cost of A. saligna eradication. On the other hand, the
annual net benefit of containment of the invasive species depended on the method
of containment chosen.
References
Amirnejad H, Khalilian S, Assareh M, Ahmadian M (2006) Estimating the existence value of
north forests of Iran by using a contingent valuation method. Ecol Econ 58:665–675
Arrow K, Solow R, Portney PR, Leamer EE, Radner R, Schuman H (1993) Report of the NOAA
Panel on Contingent Valuation. NOAA, January 11th, 1993
Bar (Kutiel) P, Cohen O, Shoshany M (2004) The invasion rate of the alien species A. saligna
within the coastal sand dune habitats in Israel. Isr J Plant Sci 52:115–124
Becker N, Choresh Y, Inbar M, Bahat O (2007) Combining TCM and CVM of endangered
species: estimation of the marginal value of vultures in the presence of species—visitors’
interaction. In: Kontoleon A, Pascual U, Swanson T (eds) Biodiversity economics: issues,
methodologies and applications. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 313–342
Carson RT (2000) Contingent valuation: a user’s guide. Environ Sci Tech 34(8):1413–1418
Carson RT, Flores NE, Meade NF (2000) Contingent valuation: controversies and evidence.
Environ Resource Econ 19(2):173–310
Carson RT, Mitchell RC, Hanemann M, Kopp RJ, Presser S, Ruud PA (2003) Contingent
valuation and lost passive use: damages from the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Environ Resource
Econ 25(3):257–286
Christie M, Hanley N, Warren J, Murphy K, Wright R, Hyde T (2006) Valuing the diversity of
biodiversity. Ecol Econ 58:304–317
Cohen O, Bar (Kutiel) P (2004) The invasion rate of A. saligna and its impact on protected
Mediterranean coastal habitats. Proceedings of 10th MEDECOS conference: 25th April–1st
May, 2004, Rhodes, Greece
Cohen O, Bar (Kutiel) P (2005) Effect of invasive alien plant—Acacia saligna—on natural
vegetation of coastal sand ecosystems. Forest 7:11–17 (Hebrew, with English abstract)
Hackett SC (2000) The recreational economic value of the eastern Trinity Alps wilderness.
School of Business and Economics, Humboldt State University, Arcata
Israeli Government’s Central Bureau of Statistics (2007) Annual report. http://www1.cbs.gov.il/
reader/shnatonenew_site.htm. Accessed 9 August 2007
Jakobsson KM, Dragun AK (2001) The worth of a possum: valuing species with the contingent
valuation method. Environ Resource Econ 19(3):211–277
Krutilla J (1967) Conservation reconsidered. Am Econ Rev 57(4):777–786
Kutiel P (2001) Conservation and management of the Mediterranean coastal sand dunes in Israel.
J Coast Conservat 7:183–192
Maille P, Mendelsohn R (1993) Valuing ecotourism in Madagascar. J Environ Manag 38:213–218
17 The Value of Coastal Sand Dunes
287
The benefit–cost analysis compared the value that the public placed on eliminating
the spread of A. saligna in the nature reserve with the estimated cost of controlling
the spread. Estimating the total economic value using the mean use value of
visitors to the nature reserve of eradication of the invasive species we arrived at a
benefit of approximately US$570,000. The estimated one-time cost of controlling
the spread of A. saligna ranged between US$195,000 and US$400,000
(Table 17.6). Thus, we can conclude that the value of the coastal sand dune
biodiversity is higher than the cost of A. saligna eradication. On the other hand, the
annual net benefit of containment of the invasive species depended on the method
of containment chosen.
References
Amirnejad H, Khalilian S, Assareh M, Ahmadian M (2006) Estimating the existence value of
north forests of Iran by using a contingent valuation method. Ecol Econ 58:665–675
Arrow K, Solow R, Portney PR, Leamer EE, Radner R, Schuman H (1993) Report of the NOAA
Panel on Contingent Valuation. NOAA, January 11th, 1993
Bar (Kutiel) P, Cohen O, Shoshany M (2004) The invasion rate of the alien species A. saligna
within the coastal sand dune habitats in Israel. Isr J Plant Sci 52:115–124
Becker N, Choresh Y, Inbar M, Bahat O (2007) Combining TCM and CVM of endangered
species: estimation of the marginal value of vultures in the presence of species—visitors’
interaction. In: Kontoleon A, Pascual U, Swanson T (eds) Biodiversity economics: issues,
methodologies and applications. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 313–342
Carson RT (2000) Contingent valuation: a user’s guide. Environ Sci Tech 34(8):1413–1418
Carson RT, Flores NE, Meade NF (2000) Contingent valuation: controversies and evidence.
Environ Resource Econ 19(2):173–310
Carson RT, Mitchell RC, Hanemann M, Kopp RJ, Presser S, Ruud PA (2003) Contingent
valuation and lost passive use: damages from the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Environ Resource
Econ 25(3):257–286
Christie M, Hanley N, Warren J, Murphy K, Wright R, Hyde T (2006) Valuing the diversity of
biodiversity. Ecol Econ 58:304–317
Cohen O, Bar (Kutiel) P (2004) The invasion rate of A. saligna and its impact on protected
Mediterranean coastal habitats. Proceedings of 10th MEDECOS conference: 25th April–1st
May, 2004, Rhodes, Greece
Cohen O, Bar (Kutiel) P (2005) Effect of invasive alien plant—Acacia saligna—on natural
vegetation of coastal sand ecosystems. Forest 7:11–17 (Hebrew, with English abstract)
Hackett SC (2000) The recreational economic value of the eastern Trinity Alps wilderness.
School of Business and Economics, Humboldt State University, Arcata
Israeli Government’s Central Bureau of Statistics (2007) Annual report. http://www1.cbs.gov.il/
reader/shnatonenew_site.htm. Accessed 9 August 2007
Jakobsson KM, Dragun AK (2001) The worth of a possum: valuing species with the contingent
valuation method. Environ Resource Econ 19(3):211–277
Krutilla J (1967) Conservation reconsidered. Am Econ Rev 57(4):777–786
Kutiel P (2001) Conservation and management of the Mediterranean coastal sand dunes in Israel.
J Coast Conservat 7:183–192
Maille P, Mendelsohn R (1993) Valuing ecotourism in Madagascar. J Environ Manag 38:213–218
17 The Value of Coastal Sand Dunes
287