Valuation of marine ecosystem restoration activity could lead to more efficient marine planning

Ecosystem restoration implies policies that focus on remediating environmental degradation. In this research, the welfare impacts of restoring Norwegian kelp forests to areas where they once were dominant but which now lie barren are estimated using the discrete choice modelling approach. The research also examined if direct contact with the marine environment through recreation influences respondents’ willingness to pay to restore the kelp ecosystem. Recognising the ecosystem services provided by kelp forest restoration, quantifying them and finally valuing the benefits to society from the additional level of services provided enables policy makers to take such values into account when assessing policies which may affect kelp forest habitats, and can also assist decision makers to decide on which restoration projects should be prioritised.

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