Title:
|
Quantifying ecological and economic value of land use patterns
|
This thesis is concerned with the study of land use pattern, and landscape value
in terms of ecological and economic components, using Classification And Regression
Tree analysis and a choice experiment to quantify the ecological and economic values
of land use pattern respectively. The Chiltern Hills and the Red Kite (Milvus milvus)
are chosen for study, as they are an important landscape and species within the UK, as
recognised by various legislations, and are readily identifiable.
A Classification Tree model of the Red Kite nest occurrence in the Chiltern
Hills in the UK is determined and applied to future land use scenarios, derived from
Reading University’s Land Use Allocation Model (LUAM). A Model Tree model of
the Red Kite nest abundance is determined and applied to the same scenarios. The
population is deemed to be stable in the face of divergent land use scenarios, and the reestablishment
is thus opined to be successful, having created a sustainable population.
A questionnaire survey of Chiltern Hills users is conducted to determine the
characteristics of the users, and features of the landscape deemed important in making a
day trip. The results are used to inform the creation of the variables and levels of those
variables for use within a choice experiment.
A choice experiment is conducted to determine the values of site features in
terms of landscape, species, and available facilities for the recreational use of the
countryside. The Red Kite, hilltops, and woodlands are valued by the public.
Willingness to Travel estimates of the attributes are plotted to a map, which may be the
first time this has occurred from choice experiment estimates. Willingness to Pay
estimates are also derived, and used to suggest that the re-establishment has recouped its
costs.
|