Estimation of conservation value of myrtle (Myrtus communis) using a contingent valuation method: a case study in a Dooreh forest area, Lorestan Province, Iran

Around 2000 plant species occur naturally in Lorestan Province of which 250 species are medicinal and myrtle is one of them. Myrtle is a shrub whose leaves and fruits have medicinal value and thus,if managed and harvested properly,could produce sustained economic benefits. In recent years,however,over half of the myrtle site areas was destroyed,due to inappropriate management and excessive harvesting practices. Thus,coming up with a practical harvesting approach along with identifying those factors damaging the sites,seems to be very crucial.

In our investigation,we calculated the conservation value per hectare of myrtle in the Dooreh forest area in Lorestan Province. Using the Contingent Valuation (CV) and Double Bounded Dichotomous Choice (DBDC) methods,we determined the willingness to pay (WTP) for myrtle conservation. The WTP was estimated with a logit model for which indices were obtained based on a maximum precision criterion.

The results showed that 86.67 per cent of people were willing to pay for the conservation of these myrtle sites. Average monthly WTP per family was calculated as ＄0.79. The annual conservation value in terms of WTP for the preservation of the myrtle sites in Dooreh was estimated as ＄102,525. Among the variables of the model presented,education had a positive impact,while the amount proposed for payment and family size had a negative impact on the WTP.

Our estimate of the value of myrtle conservation should provide justification for policy makers and decision making bodies of natural resources to implement policies in order to conserve the natural sites of this species more effectively.