How Sensitive are Spatial Estimates of Wilderness Recreation Values to Information about Hiking Destinations?

Abstract

This study uses individual survey data to investigate the impact of information about hiking destinations on estimated wilderness values in a spatial context. The data is derived from a revealed preference survey of backcountry visitors who responded to questions about their recreation behavior in the San Jacinto Wilderness of southern California. Two GIS data layers are developed showing spatial representations of non-market values derived from a Kuhn- Tucker demand model, with and without destination information. Each pixel in each data layer contains an estimate of the recreation value at that location. The destination data provides more detailed information on recreation behavior that can be used to more accurately allocate the landscape values. Results show that including destination information produces significantly greater heterogeneity in parcel value estimates for large areas of the wilderness.