Ecosystem Services, Markets, and Red Wolf Habitat: Results from a Farm Operator Survey

This report is part of a larger project that examines economic values generated by red wolf conservation and explores ways to use market-based incentives to encourage greater conservation effort by private landowners.

Author(s): Randall Kramer and Aaron Jenkins

Published: January 2009

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Abstract/Executive Summary:

Humans derive a number of benefits from healthy ecosystems, including water purification, flood control, wildlife habitat, and climate regulation. Much of the production of ecosystem services occurs on privately held farm and forest land. This study focuses on ecosystem service markets as a possible means to achieve biodiversity conservation goals on private lands. In particular, it addresses potential financial flows from ecosystem service benefits associated with conserved red wolf habitat in North Carolina. Extinct in the wild by 1980, red wolves were reintroduced by the federal government to the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in 1987 and now are found in five northeastern North Carolina counties. 

This report is part of a larger project that examines economic values generated by red wolf conservation and explores ways to use market-based incentives to encourage greater conservation effort by private landowners. We report on a survey of 298 farm operators in the red wolf area about their attitudes toward current conservation programs and their interest in participating in future programs oriented toward the provision of ecosystem services. Using focus groups, expert consultations, and several pretesting methods, a mail survey was developed and implemented following Dillman’s Tailored Design Method. We find that approximately one-half of farm operators in the study area have participated in conservation payment programs in the past and that they are generally satisfied with their participation experience. While there is a lack of familiarity with ecosystem services terminology, many are interested in participating in future payment-for-ecosystem-services (PES) programs, particularly if the programs emphasize wildlife conservation or water quality. Payment levels are found to be an important factor in decisions to enroll, but so are other program attributes, particularly contract length and program administration type. A PES that is specific to red wolf conservation is not widely supported. A targeted marketing and information campaign could be used to address a lack of familiarity with ecosystem services and markets and promote future sign-ups.