The economic value of wetlands in developing countries: a meta-regression analysis

This paper presents the first comprehensive synthesis of economic valuations of wetlands in developing countries. Meta-regression analysis (MRA) is applied to 1432 estimates of the economic value of 379 distinct wetlands. We find that wetland size has a negative effect on wetland values, marine wetlands are more valuable than estuarine wetlands, and per capita GDP has a positive effect on wetland values. Wetland services for water treatment and biodiversity are valued more highly than recreation. Wetland values estimated by stated preferences are lower than those estimated by market price methods. The MRA benefit transfer function has an average transfer error of 31%, with a median transfer error of 17%. Overall, MRA appears to be useful for deriving the economic value of wetlands at policy sites in developing nations.