Wildlife conservation, labor supply and time values in rural Botswana. (26th June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Larson, Douglas M.; Pienaar, Elizabeth F.; Jarvis, Lovell S.
• Is Part Of: Environment and development economics. Volume 21:Number 2(2016:Apr.)
• Page Start: 135
• Page End: 157
• Publication Date: 2015-06-26
• Subjects: Economic development -- Environmental aspects; 330.9
• DOI: 10.1017/S1355770X15000194
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-770X

Abstract

Abstract: To improve wildlife conservation incentives in community-based natural resource management programs, a better understanding of rural communities' willingness to engage in wildlife conservation jobs is needed. We implement a discrete choice model explaining reservation wages for nine conservation jobs using contingent behavior data from rural Botswana residents. We present a model in which the conditional indirect utility function incorporates a more general value of time than has previously been used, and this specification outperforms the standard model. Sample estimates indicate that reservation wages are modestly higher for women than for men, and that residents have higher reservation wages for jobs requiring more exertion or involving more danger.