Local communities' preferences and economic values for ecosystem services from Mole National Park in Ghana: A choice experiment approach

Mole National Park (MNP) is one of Ghana's largest protected areas recognized for its contribution to the provision of different ecosystem services including habitat for several plant and animal species and ecotourism. The demand for forest ecosystem services by fringing communities around protected areas continue to increase, yet there is still limited information on local preferences and values for ecosystem services derived from these areas. A discrete choice experiment (DCE) survey was conducted in five fringing communities of MNP to understand difference in preferences and willingness to pay (WTP) for improvement in ecosystem services derived from MNP. Data were analyzed using a random parameter logit model for attributes including water quality, wildlife habitat, ecotourism and hunting access for subsistence use. The results show positive willingness to pay for change from low to high levels of improvement for all attributes except hunting access. Preferences and willingness to pay for improvement in water quality services and hunting access were homogenous across respondents. Stated WTP for improved ecosystem attributes was associated with the proposed program cost to households and demographic factors including education, age, and family size. On average, respondents were willing to pay an aggregated amount of GH( 14.95 (US$ 2.65) and GH( 8.18 (US$ 1.45) per household per month for higher and moderate levels of improvement in the four selected attributes (water quality, habitat for wildlife, hunting access and ecotourism) respectively. Overall, the findings demonstrate support for improvement in management outcomes for enhanced ecosystem services. Preferences and values for ecosystem attributes by fringing communities should therefore be considered in park management decisions to ensure efficient and sustainable collaborative natural resource management initiatives.