Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription or Fee Access

Social Values of Biodiversity Conservation for the Endangered Loggerhead Turtle and Monk Seal

Pamela Kaval, Mavra Stithou, Riccardo Scarpa

Abstract


The Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) and the loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) are two species on the priority list for conservation in Greece, due to their dwindling populations worldwide. Hence, the issue of estimating willingness-to-pay for their conservation is germane to any protection initiative. Zakynthos Island in Greece has created a marine park for the conservation of such species. We report the results of a survey of visitors and residents of this island who were asked about making one time donations in the form of either a tax for residents or a plane landing fee for tourists. We found that all people were willing-to-pay to protect these species; however, residents were willing-to-pay more than tourists. We then tested whether there was a sequence or ordering effect if the seal questions came before the turtles, as well as if the turtle questions came before the seals. Such effect was found when turtle questions were presented first, but not when seal questions were presented first. Due to the extensive interest, it is recommended that an increase in the airplane landing fee to Zakynthos could be used to contribute towards funds for loggerhead turtle and monk seal protection.

Keywords


Biodiversity Conservation, Zakynthos, Contingent Valuation, Ordering Effect, monk seal, loggerhead turtle

Full Text:

PDF


Disclaimer/Regarding indexing issue:

We have provided the online access of all issues and papers to the indexing agencies (as given on journal web site). It’s depend on indexing agencies when, how and what manner they can index or not. Hence, we like to inform that on the basis of earlier indexing, we can’t predict the today or future indexing policy of third party (i.e. indexing agencies) as they have right to discontinue any journal at any time without prior information to the journal. So, please neither sends any question nor expects any answer from us on the behalf of third party i.e. indexing agencies.Hence, we will not issue any certificate or letter for indexing issue. Our role is just to provide the online access to them. So we do properly this and one can visit indexing agencies website to get the authentic information. Also: DOI is paid service which provided by a third party. We never mentioned that we go for this for our any journal. However, journal have no objection if author go directly for this paid DOI service.