Applying contingent valuation in China to measure the total economic value of restoring ecosystem services in Ejina region

This paper reports an attempt to apply the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) in rural China. The CVM was used to obtain estimates of willingness to pay for restoring Ejina ecosystem services. In our survey, we used a payment card format and a 12-page survey booklet with maps depicting the reasons why Ejina ecosystem deteriorated, the means by which ecosystem services could be restored from their current level. We used an in-person interview along with the survey booklet. We employed a parametric model to estimate the benefits of restoring Ejina ecosystem. Results from 700 in-person interviews indicate that households would pay an average of 19.37 (RMB) per year with 20.78 per household for the main river area, and 16.41 per household for the rest of Hei basin. The aggregate benefit to residents of the Hei basin is 8.84 million annually for 20 years. Taking into account an environmental discount rate calculated by using respondent's equivalent utility between periodical payments and lump sum payments, the present value of aggregate benefit of restoring Ejina ecosystem is 55.33 million. These results suggest that the general public in Hei Valley would be willing to pay to restore the Ejina ecosystem, although this amount is substantially less than the estimated costs of restoration. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.