Valuing Recreation Ecosystem Services in Jebalbarez Natural Park Using the Regional Travel Cost Method

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Nature Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Jiroft

2 Natural Resources Department, University of Jiroft

Abstract

Considering the significant role of natural parks in providing an appropriate recreational services for the increasing population worldwide, this study sought to examine the recreational value of Jabalbarez Natural Park (located in Jiroft, Kerman province, Iran) using the regional travel cost method. To this end, a questionnaire was administered to 198 visitors of the Park who were randomly selected, enquiring them regarding their socio-economic status and their opinion about the Jabalbarez Natural Park. The results indicated that the education level (R2=0.546, p<0.001) and income (R2=0.863, p<0.001) had significant positive effects on people's willingness to pay for the entrance fee of the Park, with 74.2% of the respondents expressing their approval to pay the entrance fee. Moreover, it was found that the willingness of the respondents to visit the Park decreased significantly with an increase in the distance from the Park and the travel costs (R2=-0.571, p<0.001). The results of estimating the recreation demand function of the park also showed that travel costs, income level, age, and education level of the visitors exerted a significant influence on the number of visitors (p<0.01).

Keywords

References

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Desert Ecosystem Engineering
Volume 10, Issue 8 in English
June 2023
Pages 26-15

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