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This paper investigates the effect of nearby nature substitutes on preferences for nature restoration. Previous studies have generally approached the substitution question by looking into competing destinations. We evaluate substitutes from the respondent’s viewpoint. We use a contextual approach relying on densities of nature substitutes within various ranges from each respondent’s home. This approach has the advantage of allowing the consideration of the direct, indirect and non-use values of nature. Data from three similar discrete choice experiments carried out in Flanders (northern Belgium) are compared. Different spatial discounting factors are tested to better understand how the substitution effect behaves with regard to distance. Latent class analyses are performed to account for preference heterogeneity among respondents. Our results show divergent behaviours across groups of respondents. The “distance-to-substitutes” affects the way respondents rank substitutes and we observe a significant influence of the squared average buffer distance. However, this effect varies in sign across case studies and classes of respondents. Our research calls for further investigation of the influence of taste heterogeneity and nature perception on people’s capacity to value nature. The eligibility of potential nature substitutes and what contributes to their relative attractiveness compared to other substitutes, deserve further exploration in future research. no isbn ispartof: pages:1-42 ispartof: pages:1-42 ispartof: Annual BIOECON Conference on Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services and Sustainability location:King's College, Cambridge, UK date:22 Sep - 23 Sep 2014 status: published

This paper investigates the effect of nearby nature substitutes on preferences for nature restoration. Previous studies have generally approached the substitution question by looking into competing destinations. We evaluate substitutes from the respondent’s viewpoint. We use a contextual approach relying on densities of nature substitutes within various ranges from each respondent’s home. This approach has the advantage of allowing the consideration of the direct, indirect and non-use values of nature. Data from three similar discrete choice experiments carried out in Flanders (northern Belgium) are compared. Different spatial discounting factors are tested to better understand how the substitution effect behaves with regard to distance. Latent class analyses are performed to account for preference heterogeneity among respondents. Our results show divergent behaviours across groups of respondents. The “distance-to-substitutes” affects the way respondents rank substitutes and we observe a significant influence of the squared average buffer distance. However, this effect varies in sign across case studies and classes of respondents. Our research calls for further investigation of the influence of taste heterogeneity and nature perception on people’s capacity to value nature. The eligibility of potential nature substitutes and what contributes to their relative attractiveness compared to other substitutes, deserve further exploration in future research., An updated version of this working paper is published as: De Valck J., Broekx, S., Liekens, I., Aertsens, J., Vranken, L. (2015). Testing the influence of substitute sites in nature valuation by using spatial discounting factors, Environmental and Resource Economics, pp 1-27; DOI: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10640-015-9930-0

Utilitarian cycling is recognized as an excellent way of being physically active on a regular basis and maintaining good health [1]. Unfortunately, some cyclists will be involved in an accident, will need medical care and may incur temporal or permanent physical injuries, which will induce costs to the cyclist and society. Aertsens [2] estimated, in Belgium, the average total cost of minor bicycle accidents at 841 euro (95% CI: 579‐1205) per accident or 0.125 euro per kilometre cycled. The aim of this study is to provide more insight into the resulting costs of major bicycle accidents in Flanders (Belgium). Data were collected in a retrospective study design. In 2008, 2364 bicycle accidents in Flanders were registered by the National Trust for Accidents (FAO). From those 2364 invited participants, 289 returned the questionnaire and 26 were classified as a major accident (hospitalised > 24 hours) and used for data analysis. Direct costs (e.g. material damage and medical costs), as well as indirect costs (e.g. productivity loss), intangible costs and Willingness To Pay (WTP) are calculated. For calculating of costs a differentiation was made between a recovery phase and a permanent disability phase. Costs were calculated over a period of 3 year after the accident. Nine respondents fully recovered and 17 had permanent damage. The average cost excluding WTP (€2011) per respondent (N=26) is €60,776±69,433, €35,190±39,317 for those who fully recovered and €74,322±78,718 for those who had permanent damage. When including WTP, the cost increases with +35% for the total group, +53% for those who fully recovered and +31% for those who had permanent damage. Total annual bicycle injury costs are huge, but these costs must be balanced against the benefits of bicycling, related to health and environment.

Due to the steady reduction of nature sites in urbanised regions, nature restoration projects are now a focal point of public interest. Policy-makers are required to balance public preferences for nature sites, with the high costs of nature restoration projects. Landscape preferences are, in general, positively correlated with ecological preferences. However this relationship is far from straightforward. Past studies show that different factors, such as personal, site-specific and spatial characteristics, influence preferences, while at the same time, little is known about the relative importance of these factors. This article proposes a conceptual approach for gaining insights into preference heterogeneity, in the context of stated preference environmental valuation studies. We conduct a choice experiment at the Drongengoed (Belgium); an afforested heathland with a diversified mosaic of natural habitats. The experiment determines public preferences towards nature restoration scenarios and illustrates the public’s willingness-to-pay for a change from the current state to a scenario with less coniferous trees, higher biodiversity and good maintaining of accessibility. Area-specific and socio-demographic characteristics are controlled for and affect the preferences for certain types of nature restoration scenarios. Preference heterogeneity is also observed for most of the choice attributes, suggesting that more sophisticated modelling methods are needed., An updated version of this working paper is published as: De Valck, J., Vlaeminck, P., Broekx, S., Liekens, I., Aertsens, J., Chen, W., and Vranken, L., (2014). Benefits of clearing forest plantations to restore nature? Evidence from a discrete choice experiment in Flanders, Belgium. Landscape and Urban Planning, 125, 65–75. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2014.02.006

This document presents a multidisciplinary research project concerning a possible surplus value for Or-ganic Food and Farming (OFF). The project has started January 1st 2006 and ends November 30th 2007. By weighing results collected through a review of the literature it will be scientifically assessed whether or not OFF outperform conventional food and farming from a point of view of environment friendli-ness, nutritional value and safety. Net benefits for society will then be calculated indicating whether the present support given to OFF is at the optimal level. The scientific evidence will be compared with the perception of 400 Flemish consumers. Based on po-tential gaps between evidence and perception, com-bined with consumer characteristics, interesting sug-gestions for communication and promotion strategies concerning OFF will emerge.

The project’s overall objective is to define the sustainability of organic agriculture based on three two-part dimensions that must be confronted with each other and balanced, namely, - economic sustainability: competitive position and potential for development, - environmental sustainability: reproduction of resources and balance of specific externalities; and - social sustainability: innovative abilities and social/territorial externalities. These dimensions must be evaluated, matched up with effective sets of references, and backed up by policy instruments. This makes it possible to define the research’s specific aims: 1. To establish technical references for the two major stakes linked to the organic ranching and fattening of cattle, namely, rations and health. That entails making use of/improving the positive externalities of organic cattle ranching schemes (nitrogen balance, biodiversity) and analysing their environmental and social costs. 2. To study and test the organisational forms that permit negotiation between marketing requirements and the dimensions of sustainability and to reinforce the guarantees that the various production and processing networks appear to give consumers. 3. To analyse consumer demand and the most suitable communication tools and to initiate a participatory and experimental approach to negotiation.