Grantee Research Project Results
Valuing Water Quality Improvements in Nationwide Ecosystems: Total Value Based on the Biological Condition Gradient
EPA Grant Number: R840465Title: Valuing Water Quality Improvements in Nationwide Ecosystems: Total Value Based on the Biological Condition Gradient
Investigators: Phaneuf, Daniel J. , Vossler, Christian , Finlay, Jacques C , Keiser, David A , Kling, Catherine L
Institution: University of Wisconsin - Madison , Cornell University , University of Minnesota , University of Massachusetts Amherst , University of Tennessee -Knoxville , Iowa State University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: September 1, 2022 through May 2, 2025
Project Amount: $741,864
RFA: Water Quality Benefits (2022) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Water Quality , Water
Description:
We focus on Research Area 1 “National Studies”. Our objectives include: (a) assembling data and developing models to quantify the baseline Biological Condition Gradient (BCG) in watersheds throughout our study regions; (b) selecting watersheds to study that are ecologically, geographically, and demographically representative of the conterminous US and span the nine ecoregions; (c) designing communication and presentation strategies for translating ecological concepts specific to BCG levels in the nine ecoregions into commodity descriptions suitable for use in stated preference (SP) surveys; (d) fielding a large scale stated preference (SP) survey that implements our BCG valuation approach (BCG ladder – BCG-L) for ecoregions across the country; (e) designing a survey module to assemble revealed preference (RP) recreation data in our study regions for use with the SP survey or as a standalone vehicle; (f) using our new data to construct benefit functions that predict use and total values for changes in aquatic ecosystem services at locations across the country; and (g) applying the benefit functions in a national Integrated Assessment Modeling (IAM) framework to consider the efficiency and distributional consequences of potential policy actions.
Approach:
We generalize our BCG-L framework for water quality valuation, as it is fully grounded in ecological foundations, generalizable and transferable across space, and consistent with decision-making needs that emphasize a holistic conceptualization of aquatic ecosystem services valuation. Within this framework we field RP and SP surveys in watersheds spanning the nine ecoregions to assemble primary data, which allows us to predict economic values for changes in aquatic ecosystem health at locations across the country. We also assemble biological monitoring and biological index data from state, tribal, and local environmental agencies to predict place-specific baseline BCG scores and integrate these into our survey protocols and scenario analyses. Finally, we merge our valuation results from this project with complementary research that is building a nationwide IAM to provide policy analyses of the economic benefits and distributional consequences of a range of pollution reduction scenarios.
Expected Results:
The results from this project include a valuation framework to recover scientifically valid estimates of the economic benefits of surface water quality improvements at nationwide locations. These insights will directly inform cost benefit analysis of state and federal water quality programs as well as support efforts to improve their design.
Supplemental Keywords:
Nonmarket valuation, ecosystem services, stated preferences, revealed preferences; nonuse values; use values; Integrated Assessment Modeling
Progress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.