Socio-economic evaluation of public and private conservation : Two examples from Northland/New Zealand : Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Biology, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the integrated bi-national degree Master of Science / Master of International Nature Conservation (M.Sc. / M.I.N.C.) of Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany, and Lincoln University, New Zealand

Abstract

The benefits of nature to human well-being are vast and this study shows where people see a great advantage of having conservation areas nearby. The different groups - the local community, staff and visitors - have been observed in connection to two conservation areas.

All groups have a great appreciation of nature in terms of its aesthetical, educational and recreational values in common. Also, the connection to cleaner water and air, health aspects and 'feeling well' is widely recognised.

The economic effect of conservation indicates clearly that ecosystem services should be included in any decision making and with that, hopefully, receive an economic value.

The significant increase of ecosystem services due to restoration work is another very important point, which has been measured on local non-monetary and monetary values.

Comparing the 2002 ecosystem services value of NZ$ 161223 of the agricultural farm with the 2009 value of NZ $ 887739 of the protected area, this increase through restoration work becomes visible.