Modelling decision-making regarding wetland services for wetland management in Tram Chim National Park, Vietnam

Abstract

In order to support multi-objective wetland management, this study develops a five-step multi-criteria decision framework and uses the Tram Chim National Park case to demonstrate decisions by comparing net benefits, the framework's outcome, of four wetland zones (A1, A2, A4, and A5) of the Park. Methods include (1) identification of key management priorities using analytic hierarchy process; (2) assessment of use/non-use values using market/non-market valuation techniques. Consumptive direct use values were determined by market assessment of fishing while a travel cost model was employed to estimate non-consumptive direct use values for tourism. Indirect use and non-use values were assessed using contingent valuation method. Results showed the priorities of tourism, fishing, and management costs. Total fishing benefit (fishing income and revenue from permits) was estimated at US$173/year/person. Willingness to pay for preferred plant communities varied. For tourism, overall consumer surplus was estimated at US$11/person and tourists would be willing to pay US$3–5/person more. In sum, net benefit for a typical year for zone A1 was highest. The framework demonstrates how the decision-making process with regards to managing an environmental resource can be enhanced within a multi-decision framework using a set of market and non-market economic valuation tools.

Keywords:

• analytic hierarchy process
• contingent valuation
• modified travel cost
• multi-criteria decision analysis
• wetland decision-making
• economic modelling
• social ecological modelling
• modelling framework

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the following organisations: An Giang University, Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department and Tropical Research and Education Center (University of Florida), PhD McNair Bostick Scholarship, Tram Chim National Park Authorities, Vietnam's PhD Fellowship Programme, and World Bank Robert S. McNamara PhD Research Fellowship; and individuals: Dr Christopher J. Martinez (Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering), Dr Mark W. Clark (Department of Soil and Water Science), and Dr John J. Sansalone (Department of Environmental Engineering and Sciences) at University of Florida. We give special thanks to Dr Connor Linstead, World Wild Fund for Nature-UK, for suggestions.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.