Application of AHP for wetlands Use and Non-Use Values (Case Stutdy: Ghorigol Wetland)

Estimating the monetary value of wetland services is a way for understanding the importance of investment in conservation and improvement of wetlands. Ghorigol wetland is one of the most important environmental resources of Azerbaijan province that had been recorded as an international wetland in Ramsar conventions. In this study conservation value of Ghorigol wetland has estimated using contingent valuation (CV) method and use and non-use values of this wetland was divided using analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Respondent’s mean annual WTP for conservation of mentioned wetland was 113963 Rials and total annual wetland conservation value was 33630 billion Rials. According to AHP results, use values (direct, indirect and option values) and non-use values (existence and bequest values) acquired 54.5 and 45.5 percentages of total wetland conservation value, respectively. Due to considerable proportion of non-use values in total wetland conservation value, policy makers should pay special attention toward conservation of wetland’s natural condition.