RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Evaluating the Effects of River and Stream Restorations: Evidence from Recreational Fishing
JF Land Economics
JO Land Econ
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 75
OP 91
DO 10.3368/le.96.1.75
VO 96
IS 1
A1 Michele Baggio
A1 Charles Towe
A1 Daniel Trüssel
A1 Armin Peter
YR 2020
UL http://le.uwpress.org/content/96/1/75.abstract
AB River restorations are increasingly used worldwide as conservation measures and environmental policy tools. Despite their popularity, there is a lack of compelling empirical evidence that river restorations achieve policy goals. Exploiting a unique dataset of fishing trips combined with structural, spatial, and temporal data on restorations, we study the effects of restorations on catch rate, a measurable ecosystem service, and then evaluate the welfare consequences of these changes. We provide robust evidence that restorations lead to persistent increases in catch rates that generate a monetary value of over $600,000 annually for a proposed set of future restorations. (JEL Q26, Q51)