The ghost of extinction: Preservation values and minimum viable population in wildlife models

B-Tier
Journal: Ecological Economics
Year: 2009
Volume: 68
Issue: 7
Pages: 2129-2136

Authors (2)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 1.0x B-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

The inclusion of a minimum viable population in bioeconomic modeling creates at least two complications that are not resolved by using a modified logistic growth function. The first complication can be dealt with by choosing a different depensational growth function. The second complication relates to the inclusion of the in situ benefits of wildlife into the analysis. Knowledge about the magnitude of the in situ benefits provides no guide for policy about conservation management. Simply knowing that people are willing to pay a large amount each year to protect a species says nothing about whether one should manage habitat to protect or enhance the species' numbers, unless the species is in imminent danger of extinction. If willingness to pay is to be a guide, it needs to be better tied to population numbers, especially the minimum viable population.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:ecolec:v:68:y:2009:i:7:p:2129-2136
Journal Field
Environment
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29