Poonyawee Srisantear.. The valuation of use value and existence value of water onion (Crinum thaianum) in Ranong and Phang Nga provinces. Master's Degree(Technology of Environmental Management). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2016.
The valuation of use value and existence value of water onion (Crinum thaianum) in Ranong and Phang Nga provinces
Abstract:
Water onion (Crinum thaianum), an endangered aquatic plant in Thailand, has been threatened severely which affects habitat loss, ecological service including income, food security as well as sentimental value of people. The focus of this study was to determine the valuation of existing value and ecological service of water onion. The information gathered from this study could be used in the conservation of water onion. The Choice Experiment (Status quo, Scenario A and Scenario B) was used to gauge the value for 519 households in Ranong, Phang Nga and Bangkok Provinces, Thailand. The respondents were required to select only one type of Choice Experiment. Each choice consisted of 4 attributes including water onion existence in area, water quality, abundance of water onion and beauty of water onion. The existence value of water onion given by on-site respondents was 488 baht per household per year, and by off-site respondents was 472 baht per household per year. Option value of water onion given by on-site respondents was 342 baht per household per year, and by off-site respondents was 252 baht per household per year. For the indirect use value, abundance value was 284 baht per household per year and water quality value was 238 baht per household per year. The total economic value of water onion for on-site respondents was 1,114 baht per household per year or 23,549,960 baht per year, and for off-site respondents was 962 baht per household per year. Marital status, membership of environmental organization, attitude toward social issue and understanding about basic information of water onion influenced the decision of on-site respondents in their willingness to pay. Gender, education, individual monthly income, attitude toward social issue, understanding about threats to water onion and understanding about basic information of water onion influenced to the decision of off-site respondents in their willingness to pay.