Abstract: The
objective of this study was to determine a monetary value of aesthetics
associated with field windbreaks in Iowa, United States. A mail survey
and contingent valuation method (CVM) were used to determine willingness
to pay (WTP) to support planting of field windbreaks for aesthetic
purposes. A probit regression was conducted to examine how reported WTP
estimates were affected by respondents’ opinions on impact of field
windbreaks on visual appearance of agricultural lands, perceived
abundance of field windbreaks, familiarity with their benefits as well
as education and occupation. A mean WTP ranged from US$4.77 to US$8.50.
Respondents who were also farm operators were less likely to make the
payment than non-farmers, possibly due to perceived opportunity cost
associated with placing field windbreaks on agricultural lands.
Respondents who found field windbreaks to make agricultural lands
visually more appealing were willing to pay from US$1.94 to US$3.05 more
than respondents who did not think so. Those who thought that from a
visual perspective there were not enough windbreaks present in Iowa's
landscape were willing to pay from US$1.67 to US$2.37 more than those
who thought that the number of windbreaks was appropriate. The obtained
WTP estimates will be useful in determining monetary trade-offs of
future land use decisions and policies related to field windbreaks as
well as other land use practices. The study results also will be helpful
in developing new outreach and incentive programs for agricultural
landowners.
Highlights
►
Willingness of Iowa's residents and farm operators to pay for aesthetic
benefits associated with field windbreaks was examined.
► Respondents were willing to financially support planting of field windbreaks for aesthetic purposes.
► Non-farmers were more likely to make a payment than farm operators.
► Windbreaks’ perceived visual appeal and abundance had impact on reported payment amounts.
► Results indicate that field windbreaks contribute to multifunctional agriculture by protecting crops and providing environmental amenities.
by Robert K. Gralaa,
, John C. Tyndallb, and Carl W. Mizeb,
► Respondents were willing to financially support planting of field windbreaks for aesthetic purposes.
► Non-farmers were more likely to make a payment than farm operators.
► Windbreaks’ perceived visual appeal and abundance had impact on reported payment amounts.
► Results indicate that field windbreaks contribute to multifunctional agriculture by protecting crops and providing environmental amenities.
by Robert K. Gralaa,
, John C. Tyndallb, and Carl W. Mizeb,
a
Forest and Wildlife Research Center, Mississippi State University, Box
9681, Mississippi State, MS 39762-9681, United States; Tel.: +1 662 325
7039; fax: +1 662 325 8726.
b Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University, United States
b Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Iowa State University, United States
Landscape and Urban Planning via Elsevier Science Direct www.ScienceDirect.com
Volume 108, Issues 2–4; November–December, 2012; Pages 71–78
Keywords: Aesthetics; Agricultural lands; Contingent valuation; Ecosystem services; Field windbreaks; Willingness to pay
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