Non-market evaluation of landscape function of agriculture in the PLA White Carpathians

Abstract

This paper describes research to quantify, in monetary terms, the landscape amenity benefits of agriculture in the Protected Landscape Area White Carpathians. Within the case study of the PLA, we measured benefits to three groups: local residents, visitors, and the general public. The benefit measurement technique used in the main part of the study was the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). This allowed the estimation of both use and non-use (existence and bequest value). The emphasis in this paper is the derivation of information, which is essential for the design, and evaluation of compensation programs targeted to landscape amenity protection. Primarily, the need for this arises because of the existence of genuine concern for the provision of landscape amenity services by agriculture. It is also useful and of interest to evaluate and compare the perceptions of agricultural landscape amenity benefits as held by different affected groups of people.