Can Contingent Valuation be Used to Measure the in Situ Value of Groundwater on the North China Plain

摘要: The over-exploited groundwater resources on the North China Plain have caused ecological problems, including lowering of table, enlarging depression zone and land subsidence. contingent valuation method, a technique that reveals peoples’ preferences, is applied to measure in situ value order provide policy makers information protection restoration region. It was found only 28% households were willing pay some amount money preserve ground water. estimated mean willingness for each household be 1.26 Yuan/m3 annually. non-use subject over-exploitation 0.014 Yuan /m3. These amounts are insignificant when compared cost protecting restoring groundwater, which several hundreds times higher than pay. While discrepancy expected, extent this difference unexpected. Thus, it would appear method does not an adequate estimate Plain. hypothesized one reason result may very low income education levels respondents area. An integrated economic-ecological modeling recommended as alternative option case.