Visitor Valuation of Riparian Habitat in the Upper Santa Cruz Basin

This study uses contingent valuation survey data to estimate the factors that affect willingness to pay to maintain instream flow and riparian habitat in the Upper Santa Cruz River basin in Santa Cruz County, Arizona. Data come from a survey of 371 visitors to Tumacacori National Historical Park and Tubae Presidio State Park. This research estimates various important factors influencing people's willingness to pay to preserve the riparian area. Double-Hurdle model have been utilized to estimate the WTP. The results identify several variables as substantive determinants of people's willingness to pay to riparian habitat preservation. From the results, the significant factors include membership in local environmental organizations residence, income, decreasing times for habitat degradation. They all have big positive impact on willingness to pay. The factor indicating if visitors are seasonal residence positively affects willingness to pay. 

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