Estimation of Economic- Protection Value of Gavkhony Wetland Ecosystem Characteristics: Choice Experiment- Conditional Logit

The purpose of this study is estimate the protection value of Gavkhony Wetland ecosystem attributes with use of Choice Experiment approach and Conditional Logit model. Data needed extracted from six different Choice Experiment questionnaires filled out by 500 random households in Isfahan and Varzane city. Each questionnaire contained 72 hypothetical policies (options), 36 choice sets, 2442 observations and 7327 rows of data. The results based on Conditional Logit model, Lancaster's theory of value and the theory of random utility function showed that the visitors have willingness to pay for preserve forest diversity and vegetation of wetlands, preserve of natural habitats and organisms life of wetland (birds, fish and animals), Wetland hygiene (preventing industrial, domestic and prevent effluents and water salinity) and increasing the water surface (increasing wetland water inlet), are 1080, 1670, 1460 and 559 Toman respectively. The socio- economic variables such as age, marriage, indigenous, family size, monthly family expenditure and education have positive impact on visitors willingness to pay. The results of surplus welfare calculation that calculated for ten hypothetical policies provide important practical tools for policy makers.