Monetary valuation of a monumental tree: The case of the heritage honey tree in Leuven

IF 6.7 2区环境科学与生态学 Q1 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening Pub Date : 2025-09-30 DOI:10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129085

Axelle Francx, Karen Peeters, Sandra Rousseau

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Abstract

Monumental trees provide substantial ecological, economic, and social value, yet their monetary value to society remains understudied. This research evaluates public preferences for the conservation of a heritage Japanese honey tree in Leuven, Belgium, using the contingent valuation method (CVM). A survey of 447 respondents used a double-bounded dichotomous choice format to estimate the willingness-to-pay (WTP) to protect this tree. The truncated mean WTP was €17.51 per person as a one-time payment. Extrapolating to the relevant population results in an aggregate value between €1,329,717 and €2,465,171. Factors positively influencing WTP include higher education, nature organization membership, and familiarity with the tree. By comparing CVM results with traditional trunk-based valuation formulas, this study offers new insights into the valuation of individual urban trees. The findings provide evidence to support urban policymakers in developing strategies for tree conservation and sustainable city planning, aligning with broader goals for environmental and heritage preservation.

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纪念性树木的货币价值：鲁汶遗产蜂蜜树的案例

纪念性树木提供了大量的生态、经济和社会价值，但它们对社会的货币价值仍未得到充分研究。本研究评估了公众对比利时鲁汶遗产日本蜜树保护的偏好，使用条件评估方法（CVM）。对447名受访者的调查使用了双界二分类选择格式来估计保护这棵树的支付意愿（WTP）。截断后的平均WTP为每人17.51欧元，作为一次性支付。外推到相关人群，总价值在1329717欧元到2465171欧元之间。影响WTP的正向因素包括高等教育程度、自然组织成员资格和对树的熟悉程度。通过将CVM结果与传统的基于树干的估值公式进行比较，本研究为单个城市树木的估值提供了新的见解。研究结果为城市决策者制定树木保护和可持续城市规划战略提供了证据，并与环境和遗产保护的更广泛目标保持一致。

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来源期刊

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening FORESTRY-

CiteScore

11.70

自引率

12.50%

发文量

289

审稿时长

70 days

期刊介绍： Urban Forestry and Urban Greening is a refereed, international journal aimed at presenting high-quality research with urban and peri-urban woody and non-woody vegetation and its use, planning, design, establishment and management as its main topics. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening concentrates on all tree-dominated (as joint together in the urban forest) as well as other green resources in and around urban areas, such as woodlands, public and private urban parks and gardens, urban nature areas, street tree and square plantations, botanical gardens and cemeteries. The journal welcomes basic and applied research papers, as well as review papers and short communications. Contributions should focus on one or more of the following aspects: -Form and functions of urban forests and other vegetation, including aspects of urban ecology. -Policy-making, planning and design related to urban forests and other vegetation. -Selection and establishment of tree resources and other vegetation for urban environments. -Management of urban forests and other vegetation. Original contributions of a high academic standard are invited from a wide range of disciplines and fields, including forestry, biology, horticulture, arboriculture, landscape ecology, pathology, soil science, hydrology, landscape architecture, landscape planning, urban planning and design, economics, sociology, environmental psychology, public health, and education.