| atersheds can provide a useful spatial boundary from which to select populations for studies examining the relationships between willingness to pay (WTP) for watershed ecosystem services and the factors that affect WTP. A bioassessment was conducted of Clear Creek watershed in Northwest Arkansas and a sample of Clear Creek watershed residents was sent a mail survey. The bioassessment and the mail survey were part of a two phased study aimed at comparing the quality of the ecosystem through in-stream bioassessment to the watershed residents' perceptions of and WTP for watershed ecosystem integrity. The objectives of this research were threefold: (1) to determine the status of the ecosystem of Clear Creek watershed based on spatial and historical reference conditions, (2) to determine the accuracy of residents' perceptions of the ecosystem quality of Clear Creek watershed, and (3) to determine if resident perceptions were a factor in their WTP to preserve ecosystem integrity within the watershed through the establishment of riparian zones. Of the 856 residents surveyed, 224 (or 26%) responded. Of those surveyed 58% were WTP some amount for riparian zones. Through a logit model analysis, three factors were found to significantly influence WTP: the bid amount, income, and attitudes towards willingness to pay (specifically feeling: (1) happy to pay, (2) can't afford to pay, (3) willing to pay if others pay, and (4) not willing to pay). From the results of the logit model, mean WTP for the watershed was calculated as... |
