Assignment task:
Part 1: Economics (answer all the following questions in Part 1):
What is an important natural resource people use that is found within the same region as your petitioned species? Is this natural resource extractive (i.e. consumptive) or non-extractive (i.e. non-consumptive)?
There are four "economic use values" (indirect, direct, option, existence/non-use) described in the week 6 reading (see Week 6 lecture section II and the video (CSF 2015b) posted below). Provide an example for each of these values using your selected natural resource. (i.e. consider the indirect, direct, option, existence/non-use value for your resource).
Briefly describe the economic value of this natural resource to the region. Keeping this importance to the region in mind, consider why it might then be important to calculate a value for preserving this resource. What marketing method (such as: substitute/alternative cost, production function, opportunity cost, hedonistic pricing, travel cost, or contingent valuation) from the week 6 reading could you use to assign a monetary value for conservation of this natural resource?
(See Week 6 lecture section II. There are also several videos (CSF 2015c, d, & e, CSF 2016) posted below that describe some of the market methods from the week 6 lecture)
Part 2: Socioeconomic issues related to conservation of your species (answer either Part 2.A, 2.B or 2.C)
This information can be used to help fill out section 4.B your outline and petition. For this week's group update assignment, we will ask you to submit answers for A, B and C, so make sure that at least one person answers each question.
A. Does (or could) the use of the resources in your petitioned species' region conflict with management or conservation of your petitioned species? Similarly, how might listing your petitioned species impact the use of these resources? (e.g. what stakeholders would be involved? Could designation of critical habitat have an economic impact)?
B. What specific management actions do you think would have the greatest impact on recovery of your species? For example research and monitoring to improve data gaps, habitat restoration, implementation of regulations on natural resource use.
C. Do management priorities differ between public and privately held land? Suggest one management compromise or incentive program (such as the HCP or SHA programs discussed in the week 3 lecture) that could be utilized to address socioeconomic concerns related to listing your species. What agencies, organizations, or groups would need to implement these changes?