Ecosystems, contingent valuation and ethics: the case of wetland re-creation

This paper addresses a current issue in environmental valuation, namely, th e extent to which environmental preferences depart from the usual economic paradigm to incorporate some lexicographic elements. After a theoretical di scussion the paper reviews attempts to explore this question empirically by supplementing contingent valuation analyses with an exploration of the mot ives behind willingness-to-pay responses, including zero bids and refusals to answer. This is followed by the presentation of new evidence investigati ng respondents willingness to pay for the creation of a wetland taken from 713 personal interviews of the British public. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B. V. All rights reserved.