THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF PRESERVING AND RESTORING MIGRATORY BIRD HABITAT TO RESIDENTS OF THE PACIFIC FLYWAY: A MIXED METHODS STUDY

This dissertation investigates the economic value residents of the Pacific Flyway place on preserving and restoring migratory bird habitat and is comprised of three chapters: Chapter 1: The Economic Value of Preserving and Restoring Migratory Bird Habitat to Residents of the Pacific Flyway: A Stated Preference Survey Chapter 2: The Value of Conservation: A Focus Group Perspective on Economic Value and Community Priorities for Habitat Restoration Chapter 3: Communicating Ecological Complexity Through Environmental Graphics Chapter 1 uses a contingent valuation (stated preference) survey of 2,000 participants who were surveyed for their willingness-to-pay to “buy and maintain 10,000-acres of good quality habitat” or “buy and restore 10,000-acres of poor quality habitat.” Two econometric models were developed to estimate willingness to pay, supported by qualitative insights from open-ended survey comments and focus groups. These findings illuminate the nuanced ways in which Pacific Flyway residents engage with migratory bird conservation and offer empirical evidence to guide USDA Forest Service decision-making. Chapter 1 finds a mean willingness-to-pay of approximately $630 for purchasing 10,000 acres of habitat (averaged across six habitat types and two qualities).Chapter 2 integrates community perspectives with rigorous valuation techniques, contributing to a broader understanding of how ecological restoration can be both economically justified and socially supported. Chapter 2 draws on 17 focus group discussions, rooted in a broader effort to enhance public engagement in stated preference studies and natural resource management. The focus groups addressed thematic questions and provided feedback on the survey mechanism (which informed the development of the survey in Chapter 1). Chapter 3 explores the role of the scientific community in disseminating research to the public and incorporating public perspectives into scientific research. Visual communication tools such as infographics are increasingly important to bridge gaps between science and public understanding. Chapter 3 presents two case studies that demonstrate the use of ecologically accurate environmental infographics in economic surveys to depict environmental change and management strategies. An analysis of the developmental process assesses how these infographics can be carefully crafted to influence public understanding of science and support for environmental management.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph. D., Natural Resources

Level thesis:degree_level

Doctor of Philosophy

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Natural Resources

Grantor

Cornell University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Bonacquist-Currin, Marley

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Zinda, John
• Stedman, Richard

• Environmental economics
• Forest Service
• Habitat Management
• Migratory Birds
• Science communication
• stated preference

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7298/f0k7-jb65

Dc Identifier Other

ProQuest Submission ID: 15396
ProQuest Publication ID: 32395665

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:ecommons.cornell.edu:1813/121127