Reintroduction of the Mexican wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) to the Southwestern United States: An economic perspective

摘要: In 1998 the Mexican gray wolf (Canis lupus baileyi) was reintroduced to Blue Range Wolf Recovery Area (BRWRA), located in east-central Arizona and west-central New Mexico, as a result of efforts reestablish wild population wolves species’ former home range. Because is large predator species that elicits interest nationwide, its reintroduction an area used by humans bound generate economic impacts ranging from direct use indirect non-use values, comprising both market non-market impacts. Although several studies have provided more or less comprehensive estimates conservation other regions U.S., date no study has been carried out for southwestern U.S. The purpose this paper remedy shortcoming. We apply different valuation approaches order assessment caused BRWRA. These rely on individuals’ observed stated willingness-to-pay reintroduction. estimate based results experiment “wolf-friendly” beef conducted Mexico 1998. Stated estimated two ways: first, we single-point benefit transfer WTP reported whose context most resembles BRWRA; addition, conduct meta-analysis available provide reintroduction, regression function derive Our suggest Southwest generated substantial benefits well costs. It further indicates outweigh costs margin, at regional national levels analysis.