Investigating the environmental and amenity values of the Great Barrier Reef using discrete choice experiments

This study explores the use and non-use values that different Queensland populations hold for both environmental and amenity aspects of the Great Barrier Reef. A discrete choice experiment is constructed where the environmental aspects are described in terms of future changes in coral and seagrass ecosystem covers, and the amenity aspects are described in terms of future recreational and tourism opportunities. The sample contains 1262 respondents, selected from both Brisbane, the head city of Queensland, and from all regions along the GBR. Our results show that respondents are generally supportive of environmental policies that would expand total coral cover or total seagrass cover. Respondents also support further tourism opportunities. However, the provision of further recreational opportunities for local residents does not come up significant. Non-use values like moral duty/bequest and insurance/non-use option values significantly increase preferences for the proposed policy scenarios. By contrast, direct use motivations do not appear to be a major driver for protection values.