Non-market Valuation of Natural Resource Amenities: Assessing their Effects on Human Values, Public Health, and the Economic Growth

Rural landscapes in the United States have changed substantially in recent years due to increased urbanization, and an ever-increasing demand for consumptive and nonconsumptive uses of natural resources. At the same time, we are facing new challenges regarding the socio-economic well-being of people and the ecological significance of resources in the landscape. Previous research in natural resources economics and management has failed to recognize the role of natural resources amenities in fostering economic growth, human values, and public welfare. Applying various non-market valuation techniques to real world observations, the findings from the essays in this dissertation add to the valuation aspects of natural resources economics literature, and reveal some policy implications for local, state, and federal governments. The first essay investigates the potential of promoting natural resource amenities as a rural economic growth engine. The second investigates how the variation, spatial distribution, and configuration of landuse features are valued in urban neighborhoods. The third essay estimates the demand for public lands in urban areas and analyzes the anticipated economic welfare gain of policies supplying such public lands. The fourth essay extends the existing model of the life expectancy production function to evaluate the role of environmental amenities in promoting public health. The final essay assesses the effects of the ongoing landuse changes and urban sprawl on the demand for wildlife hunting and related nature-based recreation in rural America. Since the recent approaches of conservation and development emphasize passive employment of natural resources for sustainable development; the essays in this iv dissertation present some insights into recognizing the value of natural resources in economic growth, human values, public health, and recreational prospects in the United States. In addition to providing policy implications, essays in this dissertation extend or improve some of the existing models and methodological frameworks of non-market valuation

Determinants of Demand for Participation in Wildlife Hunting: A County level Analysis

We developed an economic demand model of wildlife hunting and found that sociodemograpahic and ecological characteristics of county are its strong predictors. Result shows that the hunting is not popular among younger generation; and promoting hunting clubs and lease-hunting, recruiting young hunters could be effective policy considerations for retaining/promoting hunting.Wildlife hunting, License sales, Demand model, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy, Q21, Q26, L83,

Forecasting Housing Prices under Different Submarket Assumptions

This research evaluated forecasting accuracy of hedonic price models based on a number of different submarket assumptions. Using home sale data for the City of Knoxville and vicinities merged with geographic information, we found that forecasting housing prices with submarkets defined using expert knowledge and by school district and combining information conveyed in different modeling strategies are more accurate and efficient than models that are spatially aggregated, or with submarkets defined by statistical clustering techniques. This finding provided useful implications for housing price prediction in an urban setting and surrounding areas in that forecasting models based on expert knowledge of market structure or public school quality and simple model combining techniques may outperform the models using more sophisticated statistical techniques.Clustering, Forecasting, Hedonic price, Housing Submarket, Demand and Price Analysis, C53, R21,

Valuing Diversity and Spatial Pattern of Open Space Plots in Urban Neighborhoods

Abstract This study evaluates the diversity, spatial configuration, and pattern of open spaces in urban neighborhoods. Empirical evidence from hedonic modeling reveals that urban residents positively value the varieties of open space but negatively value the diversity within developed land uses. Square shaped plots of open spaces with smooth, as well straight edge are preferred to those of complex and convoluted shapes with irregular edges

Segmenting Landowners of Shandong, China Based on Their Attitudes towards Forest Certification

Forest certification is considered a viable market-based policy instrument to promote forest sustainability. It has an important role of play in meeting the objective of modern forestry development in China, which is to sustain ecological and environmental benefits of forests. To understand differences in attitudes, opinions, and interests in forest certification, this study segmented respondents of a landowner’s survey in Shandong, China based on their level of interest in participating in forest certification under different program requirements. Multivariate cluster analysis revealed three distinct groups: likely-, potential-, and unlikely-landowners. We further examined the heterogeneity of these groups in terms of their demographics, ownership characteristics, management objectives, and perceived benefits and challenges of adopting forest certification. The results suggested the necessity of differentiating landowners in formulating and designing specific motivation-based incentives and tailoring outreach efforts and communication strategies to improve their interests in forest certification. Findings will be useful and interesting to forest policymakers interested in promoting forest certification among landowners in China and other countries facing similar circumstances

Determinants of Demand for Participation in Wildlife Hunting: A County level Analysis

We developed an economic demand model of wildlife hunting and found that sociodemograpahic and ecological characteristics of county are its strong predictors. Result shows that the hunting is not popular among younger generation; and promoting hunting clubs and lease-hunting, recruiting young hunters could be effective policy considerations for retaining/promoting hunting

Control Efforts and Serologic Survey of Pseudorabies and Brucellosis in Wild Pigs of Tennessee

European wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are an introduced invasive species that now constitute a major threat to agriculture and the natural ecology of the environments they now inhabit. Wild pigs also carry many diseases known to infect wildlife, humans, and livestock. Two of these diseases, pseudorabies (PRV) and brucellosis, constitute major diseases in the United States. Better data are needed regarding the prevalence of these diseases in wild pigs to understand and manage the potential risks to wildlife, humans, and livestock. From July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2017, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency personnel trapped and euthanized 4,727 wild pigs, of which 2,991 were tested for PRV and brucellosis. Of the wild pigs successfully tested and county recorded, 2.52% (73/[2,829+73]) were positive for PRV antibodies and 2.09% (59/[2,768+59]) were positive for brucellosis antibodies. Although the overall incidence of PRV and brucellosis seropositive wild pigs was low across the state, there were counties with high prevalence of past exposure. Disease issues will likely increase as wild pig populations expand across Tennessee. Efforts to educate the public regarding the disease potential of wild pigs should be increased and options made available for control

Spatial analysis of the amenity value of green open space

The objective of this research is to determine the spatial variation in amenity values for both quantity and quality of green open space in the housing market. Variables related to size, proximity, spatial configuration, and species composition of open space are endogenized in the global and local models in a hedonic price framework. Empirical evidence shows that amenities of different features of open space vary according to the degree of urbanization. In summary, evergreen trees, a diverse landscape with fragmented forest patches, and more complex and natural forest edges are more highly valued in Rural-Urban interfaces. In contrast, deciduous and mixed forests, larger forest blocks, and smoothly trimmed and man-made forest patch boundaries are more highly valued in urban core areas. As spatial variation in amenity values differs across a metropolitan area, the need for site-specific land use management to fit the local characteristics is recognized.

The role of natural resource amenities in attracting retirees: Implications for economic growth policy

Increasing criticism of resource-extractive and polluting heavy duty industries in urban areas, as well as continuing declines in timbering, farming and mining in rural areas, have created challenges for planners and policy makers seeking sustainable rural economies. Earlier studies have concluded that a "retiree economy" is a viable approach for rural economic sustainability. Using specific measures of natural amenities that are variant over time; this study examined the role that natural amenity resources have played in attracting retirees. Results reveal that the rural and biologically rich counties with substantial land use diversity, water amenities, and other man-modified natural and recreational attractions have great potential for attracting retirees. The findings from this study can be useful for local and regional agencies to identity their latent potential to promote retiree economy, and also to predict the future amenity demands. In addition, we draw other policy implications regarding regional economic growth and ecological concern in rural America.Natural resource amenity Retiree growth Retiree economy US counties