Journal of Socialomics

Abstract

Human Welfare and Environmental Service Protection in Central Chile:The Role of Biocentrism

Zappi M

This study attempts to understand the valuation process for natural areas and the reasons underlying this valuation process, including the non-economic benefits that society perceives natural areas to have. A Contingent Valuation (CV) survey was used to capture citizens’ Willingness to Pay (WTP) as a reflection of their perception of natural areas’ benefit. In the context of the theory of planned action, socio-psychological factors were tested for influence, along with socio-demographic factors typically included as explanatory variables of WTP in the CV context. This analysis demonstrates for the first time, in Chile, that a biocentric value orientation has a direct influence on WTP for three environmental services provided by the Peñuelas Lake National Reserve, the most important of which is endangered species protection. These results shed light on the social trade-offs made in comparing multiple environmental services provided by natural areas; thus, these findings could contribute to the development of better and more rationally founded environmental education programs.