VALUATION questionnaire
MEDITERRANEAN CASE STUDY
Good morning, my name is XXX and I work for a project run by the European Forest Institute whose objective is knowing the opinion of Catalan citizens about their forests. Would you be so kind to spend half an hour with me to answer some questions related to this topic? Your answers will be totally anonymous and confidential. There are no right or wrong answers; we just want to know your opinion.
(SHOW CARD 1: Goods and services provided by forests)
In general forests provide us with wood, mushrooms or wild fruits. But also clean air, space to practice recreational activities and serve as a refuge to different plant and animal species.
Q2. (SHOW CARD 2: Which service is most important?)
From the following list of things ofprovided by forests, which are the two that seem more important to you?Please choose the TWO options more important to you
1st most important / 2nd most importantServing as a refuge for animals and plants / 1 / 1
Serving as a space to practice recreational activities / 2 / 2
Producing wood / 3 / 3
Storing CO2 / 4 / 4
Producing other goodsdifferent from wood, mushroom or game / 5 / 5
Q3. (SHOW CARD 3: map of Catalonia and Aleppo pine)
In Catalonia, forests cover approximately 1.2 million hectares, which is about 38% of the community’s territory. Almost 25% (229,000 ha) of the forest area are Aleppo pine forest.Have you ever been to such a forest? /Have you ever seen such a forest?
yes, I have been in such forest1
no2
Q4. (SHOW CARD 4: Picture of non-managed forests)
Currently, most Aleppo pine forests are not managed, because of high management costs. When Aleppo pine forests are not managed they are very dense, with a lot of trees and shrubs growing close together. This influences the ability of these forests to provide some of the abovementioned things.
The Catalan government considers implementing a program that would improve this situation of Aleppo pine forests by actively manage these forests. In the following, we will explain you the main features of such plan to elicit your opinion.
Forests host different plants and animals. Biodiversity is the term used to describe this variety. We say a forest is more diverse when it hosts a higher variety of animals and plants.
Q5. (SHOW CARD 5: Picture of non-managed and managed Aleppo pine forests)
With the proposed management program the pine tree density would be lowered. Thus, light can enter more easily which will enable other tree species to grow in these forests. Forests with more tree species would be able to host a higher number of different plants and animals, and we would say that such forests have higher biodiversity.
Q6. (SHOW CARD 6: Biodiversity levels)
Now we would like to show you a table with the current situation and three possible alternatives that can be achieved with the management program that may increase the number of tree species in these forests and therefore, it may also increase biodiversity
STATUS QUO / ALTERNATIVE 1 / ALTERNATIVE 2 / ALTERNATIVE 31 tree specie / 3 tree species / 5 tree species / 7 tree species
Low
Biodiversity / Medium Biodiversity / High
Biodiversity / Very High Biodiversity
Q7. (SHOW CARD 7: importance of increasing biodiversity levels)
Do you like the idea of promoting and conserving tree species diversity in Aleppo pine forests? Please choose the two options that re more important for you
1st more important / 2nd more importantYes because / as humans we have an obligation to preserve all living beings / 1 / 1
we have an obligation towards the future generation to do it / 2 / 2
my family, friends and I can enjoy biodiversity when we recreate outdoors / 3 / 3
Other people can enjoy the biodiversity when they recreate outdoors / 4 / 4
We can get some economic profit from biodiversity. / 5 / 5
it will help to sustain current welfare levels / 6 / 6
it may be useful for yet undiscovered purposes / 7 / 7
Yes, regardless of whether people can enjoy it / 8 / 8
No / 9 / 9
Q8. In the forest we can enjoy several recreational activities: hiking, biking, mushroom and berries picking or camping. Could you tell us how many times did you visit the forest in the last three months for recreational purposes?
___ times
(SHOW CARD 10: Aleppo pine forests with low and improved accessibility)
When forests are very dense, with trees growing very close together it is difficult to practise any recreational activity. There is not enough space to comfortably walk and move between the trees and very often also existing forest paths are overgrown with dense vegetation so they cannot be used. It is estimated that currently only 10% of Aleppo pine forests in Catalonia are suitable for recreational purposes.
(SHOW CARD 11: recreational levels)
Now we would like to show you a table with the current situation and three possible alternatives that can be achieved with the management program that may increase the area of Aleppo pine forests suitable to practise recreational activities.
STATUS QUO / ALTERNATIVE 1 / ALTERNATIVE 2 / ALTERNATIVE 3Suitable Aleppo pine forests in Catalonia to practice recreational activities / Suitable Aleppo pine forests in Catalonia to practice recreational activities / Suitable Aleppo pine forests in Catalonia to practice recreational activities / Suitable Aleppo pine forests in Catalonia to practice recreational activities
10% / 25% / 40% / 55%
(ONLY IF THE INTERVIEWEE HAS VISITED THE FOREST IN THE LAST THREE MOTHS Q8 WITH VALUE 1 OR MORE)
Q12 (SHOW CARD 12: recreational activities)
Which of the following activities do you namely practice when you recreate in the forest? Please chose these three that you practice more frequently.
1ª more practiced / 2nd more practiced / 3rd more practicedBerry or mushroom picking / 1 / 1 / 1
walking / 2 / 2 / 2
biking / 3 / 3 / 3
climbing / 4 / 4 / 4
Picnic / 5 / 5 / 5
watching animals and birds / 6 / 6 / 6
photographing animals and birds / 7 / 7 / 7
Running / 8 / 8 / 8
camping / 9 / 9 / 9
hunting or fishing / 10 / 10 / 10
other, please note ______/ 11 / 11 / 11
ONLY IF THE INTERVIEWEE HAS VISITED THE FOREST IN THE LAST THREE MOTHS q8 WITH VALUE 1 OR MORE)
Q13 (SHOW CARD 12: recreational reasons)
Which are the reasons why you visit the forest? Please tick each of these depending on your preferences.
Not at all / A little / To some extend / Quite / To large extendTo see beautiful scenery / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
To see plants and animals / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
To experience peace and silence / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
To experience freedom / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
To escape everyday routine / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
To experience solitude / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
To be together with family or friends / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
To experience untouched nature / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
To get physical exercise / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
To experience adventure / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Stress relief and mental well-being / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
Human activities, such as transportation, industries or heating, release carbon dioxide (CO2) to the atmosphere. If the quantity of released carbon dioxide is very high, it can cause temperature increases and changes in the global climate. This phenomenon is known as global warming.
Q14: Are you worried about the effects of climate change?
Not at all / Somehow interested / Interested / Quite interested / Very interestedQ15: Do you believe that climate has changed during the last 10 years?
Not at all / A Little / To some extend / Quite / To a large extendQ16: Do you believe that climate change will influence our way of life in the next 10 years?
Not at all / A Little / To some extend / Quite / To a large extend(SHOW CARD 17: carbon storing process) When growing, trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in their trunks, branches and roots. Therefore, forests can help to store part of the emissions produced by humans, and lower the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
When they lack management, Aleppo pine forests are very dense. In such forests, trees grow very slowly because there are many of them competing for the available water and light. When trees grow slow they absorb less carbon dioxide.
The proposed management program in Aleppo pine forests would reduce the forest density by removing less healthy trees. This would allow the remaining trees to grow faster, and to absorb more carbon dioxide.
(SHOW CARD 18):The following tableshows some drawings representing the number of Catalonian citizens whose emissions could be compensated by Aleppo pine forests. Thefirst column shows the current situation while the remaining three show possible alternatives that could take place in case a management program would be implemented
STATUS QUO / ALTERNATIVE 1 / ALTERNATIVE 2 / ALTERNATIVE 3Pine forests store CO2emissions equivalent to 10.000 Catalan Citizens / Pine forests store CO2emissions equivalent to 25.000 Catalan Citizens / Pine forests store CO2emissions equivalent to 40.000 Catalan Citizens / Pine forests store CO2emissions equivalent to 55.000 Catalan Citizens
Forest fires are one of the important issues related to forests in Catalonia. On average 5400 ha of forests are burned per year of which 22% (1200 ha) are Aleppo pine forests.
P19. (SHOW CARD 19: options to reduce forest fires) To decrease the impacts of forest fires in Catalonia, which of the following measures would you prefer?
1ST MORE IMPORTANT / 2ND MORE IMPORTANTIncrease the number of fire fighters / 1 / 1
Increase the number of terrestrial heavy machinery (e.g., bulldozers, fire trucks) / 2 / 2
Increase the number of airplanes and helicopters for fire fighting / 3 / 3
Improve the educational programmes / 4 / 4
Build more fire breaks / 5 / 5
Improve the detection devices / 6 / 6
Improve the removal of excessive fuels in the forests / 7 / 7
I don’t find it necessary to reduce forest fire impact / 8 / 8
Others:
(please specify):______
(SHOW CARD 20: type of forest fires)In unmanaged forests many trees grow close together and often dense shrub coverage is present. Because of the high amount of plants, if in such forest a fire occurs it can spread fast, producing tall flames and high temperatures.
The proposed management program would decrease the amount of tree so that if a forest fire occurs, it would be less harmful, because it would spread less easily, being easier to supress and reducing the burned area.
(SHOW CARD 21: levels of burned hectares) The following tableshows the current situation and three alternatives that could take place in case a management program would be implemented.
STATUS QUO / ALTERNATIVE 1 / ALTERNATIVE 2 / ALTERNATIVE 31200 ha burned yearly in Catalonia / 1000 ha burned yearly in Catalonia / 800 ha burned yearly in Catalonia / 600 ha burned yearly in Catalonia
(SHOW CARD 22: current situation)Here we show you a summary of the current situation of Aleppo pine forests in Catalonia.Most of these forests have one tree species and a low level of biodiversity. Furthermore, 10% of these forests are suitable for practicing recreational activities. These forests are able to store an amount of carbon which is equivalent to the emissions of X Catalan citizens. While, in the case a fire occurs, the forest would recover itself in X years / The annually burned area for these forests is 1200 ha.
In continuation, we will show you some examples of alternative management programs for Aleppo pine forests. The proposed management programmes would change the biodiversity level, area of forests suitable for recreation activities, the amount of carbon stored and the recovery time after a forest fire/annual area burned. These changes would take place gradually (option in 10 years).
It is proposed that the management programme of Aleppo pine forests would start next year.
The application of the programme would require additional funding. The current budget from the Regional Environmental Department could fund the programme only partially. The remaining funds would have to be provided by payments made by all Catalan residents.
The allocated funding and type of management programme will depend on what you and the rest of people answering this questionnaire are willing to pay. If not enough people agree to pay for the programme, no changes in forest management will take place. On the contrary, if you agree to pay, compulsory payments will be collected annually from all Catalan residents. Payments would be collected and managed by a Foundation established for this purpose.
Q23 (CHOICE CARDS SO THEY CAN CHOOSE THEIR PREFERED OPTION IN EACH OF THEM)
(Show cards from 23.1 to 23.6. THE INTERVIEWED PEOPLE SHOULD ANSWER EACH FO THEM AND MOVE TO THE NEXT. THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO GO BACK TO THE PREVIOUS CARD) The following cards will show you the current situation and some management alternatives for Aleppo pine forests. The current situation comes at no extra costs for you. It is already covered by your taxes. The remaining two would have a cost for you. We would like you to choose your preferred one. When choosing your preferred alternative, please consider your current income and remember that there may be other things that you would like to spend your money on.
Finally, we would like to let you know that results from similar studies have shown that respondents have a tendency to overestimate how much they actually are willing to pay trough THESE KIND OF COMPULSORY CONTRIBUTIONS. Therefore, we ask you to carefully consider the different alternatives in relation to your PERSONAL INCOME. Please note, that the additional payment will reduce your spending on other goods and services in your everyday life
PREFERRED OPTION IN EACH CARDMARK THE BLOCK
1 2 3 4 / STATUS QUO / ALTERNATIVE A / ALTERNATIVE B
T23 1 / 0 / 1 / 2
T23 2 / 0 / 1 / 2
T23 3 / 0 / 1 / 2
T23 4 / 0 / 1 / 2
T23 5 / 0 / 1 / 2
T23 6 / 0 / 1 / 2
Q24: How difficult did you find it to make the choice in the previous section?
Very easy / Easy / Normal / Difficult / Very difficult1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5
(ONLY IF THE RESPONDENT ANSWERED “DIFFICULT OR VERY DIFFICULT” TO THE PREVIOUS QUESTION)
Q25. (Show card 25: difficulty in choosing)why did you find it difficult to choose your preferred alternative? (Write a 1 at the most important reason and a 2 at the second most important reason)
1st option / 2nd optionI couldn’t relate to the information / 1 / 1
I think there was too much information to relate to / 2 / 2
I did not understand the questions / 3 / 3
It was difficult to choose because several of the attributes were important / 4 / 4
Another reason: ______/ 5 / 5
(ONLY TO BE ASKED TO TEHSE RESPONDENTS CHOOSING 5 OR 6 TMIES IN THE CHOICE CARDS THE CURRENT SITUATION AS THEIR PREFERRED OPTION)
Q26. (SHOW CARD 26: why not to pay) In the above choice sets, you selected the status quo option every time. Could you tell us what was the reason? (Please mark the one that suits you more)
It was too expensive as compared to my benefits of it / 1The questions were difficult to answer / 2
My actual income does not allow me to pay the requested amount / 3
I already pay enough taxes and the government should pay for this programme / 4
I prefer to spend my money on other things / 5
I don’t find it important to finance this programme / 6
I don’t believe the initiatives would have an effect / 7
Other nature protection initiatives should be applied / 8
- I prefer that the Catalan forests are unmanaged
- Others: ______
(ONLY TO BE ASKED TO TEHSE RESPONDENTS NEVER CHOOSING THE CURRENT SITUATION AS THEIR PREFERRED OPTION)
Q27: if you have not selected the current situation in any of the choice cards, can you please let us know why?
I like the idea that we would do something for the environment / 1When comparing the alternatives I never found the status quo to be the most preferred / 2
Other reason, please state ______/ 3
Q28 (SHOW CARD 28: Attributes that they considered)How important were the individual attributes for your choice in the choice questions? (Mark one for each attribute) How important were the individual attributes for your choice in the choice questions? (Mark one for each attribute)
Not at all / A little / To some extend / To a large extendNº of tree species/ Biodiversity / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
% of pine tree forest area suitable for recreation activities / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
CO2 sequestered / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
Forest burned area / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
Cost / 1 / 2 / 3 / 4
Q29 (SHOW CARD 29: where to increase biodiversity)We have focused on improving biodiversity status in Catalonia. But effort to increase biodiversity levels can also be done in other areas of the world. If you were to contribute economically to improvements for biodiversity, which of the following initiatives would to choose (choose only one)?
Increase biodiversity in Catalonia / 1Increase biodiversity in Europe in areas with lower current biodiversity than in Catalonia / 2
Increase biodiversity in Europe in areas with higher current biodiversity than in Catalonia / 3
None of the above / 4
Q30. Do you think it is important to increase the area of Aleppo pine forest for recreational activities in Catalonia?
YES / 1NO (GO TO Q32) / 2
I DON’T KNOW (GO TO Q32)) / 3
(ONLY FOR THESE PEOPLE SAYING “YES” TO THE PREVIOUS)
Q31. (SHOW CARD 31: why increasing the area of forest for recreational activities). Increasing the possibilities for recreational use of Aleppo pine forests are important because
I would like to use it / 1I know people who would use it / 2
It is important for the health of the society / 3
It is important for citizens to get an understanding of nature / 4
Other ):______/ 5
Q32. (Show card 32: Where to increase CO2 storage) In the previous questions we have seen how CO2 storage can be increase in Catalan forests, but this could also be enhanced in forest in other places. ¿which of the following alternatives would you prefer to be developed to reduce the CO” in the atmosphere, provided they all would have the same cost?
Carbon sequestration in Aleppo forests in Catalonia / 1Carbon sequestration in forests in other parts of Spain / 2
Carbon sequestration in forests in other countries in Europe / 3
Carbon sequestration in afforestation projects in Brazil / 4
Reduce emissions from the industry / 5
Q33. (SHOW CARD 33: why is it important?) Do you find it important increasing the amount of CO2 stored by Catalan forests?
No, I don’t find it a priority issue. / 1Yes, it is important because we need to contribute to the internationally agreed reduction of carbon emissions of carbon reduction in the atmosphere and sequestering carbon in Catalan forests is one way. / 2
Yes, it is important because we should use carbon sequestration in forests if it is cheaper than reducing emissions. / 3
No, is not important because the real problem lies in the industrial emissions. / 4
Q34. (SHOW CARD 34: nature perception)How well do the following claims regarding people and their relation with nature, correspond to your opinion?