An evaluation of economic and non-economic techniques for assessing the importance of biodiversity to people in developing countries

摘要: Biodiversity supports a range of ecosystem services that are fundamental importance to people, for health, well-being, livelihoods, and survival (Costanza, R. et al., 1997; Daily, G. C., 1997). Often, it is the people from poorest nations have greatest immediate dependency on these services; such as direct reliance natural resources food, fuel, building material medicines. Thus, gaining better understanding role biodiversity securing livelihoods well-being in developing countries. Economic valuation important since provides useful vehicle highlight quantify service benefits delivered by biodiversity. This paper aims provide an evaluation economic non-economic techniques assessing The research involved review over 300 scientific papers 5 in-depth case studies assess methodological, practical policy challenges specific applying value Key findings include: way countries think about environment different those developed countries; tend much closer ties their environment; knowledge implicit / or experiential, which may be difficult elicit; low levels literacy education mean most will little no informal subsistence economies experience dealing with money. All above means extremely express resources. Given above, was concluded standard approaches unlikely effectively reveal preferences Further, considered best-practise country context might not appropriate context. Evidence this reports suggest more effective if (i) local researchers used throughout process, (ii) deliberative, participative action incorporated into methods.