Multiple use forestry and preservation of coniferous forests in Norway - a study of attitudes and willingness to pay

The concepts of Multiple-use forestry and preservation of 'virgin' coniferous forests are elements of an ongoing debate in Norway, regarding aesthetical and biological consequences of current forest management practices. A study, based on the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM), was performed during the fall of 1990. Data were collected through in-person interviews of 1204 persons above 15 years of age. The main objectives of the study were to analyze: 1) attitudes toward the present state of Norwegian forests, 2) attitudes toward and maximum willingness to pay for changes in current forest management, 3) preferences and maximum willingness to pay for preservation of 'virgin' coniferous forests, and 4) attitudes toward society's right to impose restrictions on forest management on private forest land. Based on responses to statements related to the forest area people usually visit, the study showed a low degree of conflict regarding the present state of Norwegian forests. A ranking of possible results of two alternative forest management strategies, i.e. 1) a more cautious forest management or 2) preservation of 'virgin' coniferous forests, gave the highest average scores to 'Preservation of endangered plants and animals' and 'Preservation of 'virgin' forests for our descendants', both related to the second management strategy. The maximum willingness to pay for a more cautious forest management was 277 Norwegian kroner (NOK) per household per year, with a median value of NOK 50. 47% of the sample preferred the preservation alternative A specified by the governmental committee, Barskogutvalget, while 18% preferred alternative B and 9% preferred alternative C, corresponding to the governmental decision. 15% preferred a 0-alternative, i.e. no further preservation of 'virgin' coniferous forests. Two possible sources of bias, related to the CVM, were tested.