Defenders' Experts
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Conservation Economics
Defenders' Conservation Economics Program focuses on
- objective and transparent economic analysis of the benefits and costs of biodiversity conservation
- design of economic incentives for wildlife conservation
Economic analyses contribute to policy formulation and the promotion of public and private incentives for landowners to conserve biodiversity.
Defenders' Conservation Economics Program is committed to
- designing conservation programs that connect valuation information to incentive levels
- providing assistance to structuring ecosystem service markets that maintain biodiversity values
- advancing the use of well-designed ecosystem service markets and payments to achieve conservation objectives
Recent Projects
Payments for Ecosystem Services: A California Rancher Perspective
This report presents the results of a survey of California rancher’s perspectives, knowledge, and preferences for current and prospective resource conservation programs based on incentives for conserving or restoring ecosystem services. This information can assist in determining the structure and features that a potential PES program or market in California could embody.
An Economic Analysis of the Benefits of Habitat Conservation on California Rangelands
This report investigates the public and private economic benefits associated with the conservation of wildlife habitat and other natural resources on rangelands in California’s Central Valley
Learn more about the benefits of conserving California rangelands
Wildlife Habitat Benefits Estimation Toolkit
The Wildlife Habitat Benefits Estimation Toolkit is a set of user-friendly Excel models that allows users to generate quantitative estimates of the economic values generated by specific natural areas of interest to them. The Toolkit includes detailed user manuals, presentations, technical documentation of the estimation models and literature reviews.
Learn more about the Benefits Toolkit.
Ecosystem Services, Markets, and Red Wolf Habitat
This report explores landowner attitudes towards the use of financial incentives to promote the conservation of red wolf habitat in Northeastern North Carolina. Many area landowners are interested in participating in "payment for ecosystem services" (PES) programs, particularly if the programs emphasize wildlife habitat or water quality. The report was authored by researchers at the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University, and funded by the Alex C. Walker Educational and Charitable Foundation.
Read the report. The report can also be found at Duke University's Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions site.
A Preliminary Assessment of the Economic Benefits of Land Conservation in Florida
This 47-page report provides initial economic benefit estimates generated by conserving lands and habitat in Florida under the Preservation 2000 and Florida Forever Acts.
Learn more about the benefits of conserving Florida's lands and habitat.
Revealing the True Value of the Mojave Desert
Learn more about the economic values of the ecologically and culturally rich California desert lands. This 32-page report and the accompanying case study detail the economic value of conserved desert lands, highlighting their value to a variety of stakeholders from the military to tourism operators.
Learn more about the economic value of the Mojave Desert.
Economic Benefits Provided by Five Conservation Opportunity Areas
These case studies examine the economic benefits provided by five conservation opportunity areas identified in state wildlife action plans. Using a range of economic valuation approaches, the studies develop estimates of the economic values generated by each area, from property value premiums to tourism and ecosystem services.
Identify and estimate economic values associated with biodiversity and habitat conservation
Public and private economic incentives can encourage private landowners to restore and conserve biodiversity and wildlife habitat.
Defenders contributes to current discussions on the status of public and private financing requirements and sources for the conservation of wildlife habitat on a national scale.
Defenders evaluates and makes recommendations with respect to developing physical and economic indicators for evaluating the outcomes of conservation programs and incentive mechanisms.
