PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Hynes, Stephen
AU  - Hanley, Nick
AU  - O’Donoghue, Cathal
TI  - A Combinatorial Optimization Approach to Nonmarket Environmental Benefit Aggregation via Simulated Populations
AID  - 10.3368/le.86.2.345
DP  - 2010 May 01
TA  - Land Economics
PG  - 345--362
VI  - 86
IP  - 2
4099  - http://le.uwpress.org/content/86/2/345.short
4100  - http://le.uwpress.org/content/86/2/345.full
SO  - Land Econ2010 May 01; 86
AB  - This paper considers the use of a “combinatorial optimization” technique in the aggregation of environmental benefit values. Combinatorial optimization is used to statistically match population census data to a contingent valuation survey. The matched survey and census information is then used to produce regional and national total willingness-to-pay figures. These figures are then compared to figures derived using more standard approaches to calculating aggregate environment benefit values. The choice of aggregation approach is shown to have a major impact upon estimates of total benefits at a regional level, especially when the target population displays considerable heterogeneity across space. (JEL C14, Q51)