Costs and benefits of wild goose conservation in Scotland

D. MacMillan, N. Hanley, M. Daw

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    This paper applies the cost-benefit analysis framework to the issue of wild geese conservation in Scotland. Wild goose numbers have risen rapidly over the past 30 years, bringing nature conservationists into conflict with farmers whose crops are damaged. We estimate the costs of damage due to goose grazing to farmers in two goose areas, Strathbeg and Islay. Conservation benefits are estimated using a contingent valuation survey of the Scottish population, and we find that benefits outweigh costs by a very considerable margin. This can be seen as providing support for recent UK government moves to compensate farmers in goose areas in order to further conservation.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)475-485
    Number of pages11
    JournalBiological Conservation
    Volume119
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2004

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