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A method to value nature-related webcam viewing: the value of virtual use with application to brown bear webcam viewing

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  • John Loomis
  • Leslie Richardson
  • Chris Huber
  • Jeffrey Skibins
  • Ryan Sharp

Abstract

There are an estimated 16,000 nature related remote web cameras that provide users around the world with an opportunity to view wildlife. Because there is no monetary price to view the webcams, we utilise variations in the viewers’ opportunity cost of time to estimate consumer surplus. We apply this model to a large sample (n = 2649) of the more than 10 million viewers of Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve brown bear webcams. The resulting consumer surplus is around $11 per hour of viewing. When applied to the 2.42 million viewer hours, this yields a benefit of $27 million annually. Since there are limits on the number of visitors as well as high costs of visiting this remote site, the aggregate webcam viewing value is more than twice the aggregate on-site viewing value. With minimal survey data required to apply this model, we believe it has broad applicability to other nature-related webcams around the world.

Suggested Citation

  • John Loomis & Leslie Richardson & Chris Huber & Jeffrey Skibins & Ryan Sharp, 2018. "A method to value nature-related webcam viewing: the value of virtual use with application to brown bear webcam viewing," Journal of Environmental Economics and Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(4), pages 452-462, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:teepxx:v:7:y:2018:i:4:p:452-462
    DOI: 10.1080/21606544.2018.1483842
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    Cited by:

    1. Enriquez, Aaron J. & Finnoff, David C., 2021. "Managing mortality of multi-use megafauna," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 107(C).
    2. Richardson, Leslie, 2022. "The Economic Benefits of Wildlife: The Case of Brown Bears in Alaska," Western Economics Forum, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 20(1), May.
    3. Kolstoe, Sonja H. & Kline, Jeffrey D. & Lohr, Luanne, 2022. "Economic Approaches for Managing Migratory Bird Habitat Across Multi-Owner Landscapes," Western Economics Forum, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 20(1), May.
    4. Kolstoe, Sonja & Naald, Brian Vander & Cohan, Alison, 2022. "A tale of two samples: Understanding WTP differences in the age of social media," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).

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