We assess the importance and robustness of cluster analysis and latent class analysis as methods to account for unobserved heterogeneity. We provide a critique and comparison of both methods in the context of measuring environmental attitudes and a contingent valuation study involving endangered species. We find strong evidence of robustness for these methods: group characterization and assignment of individuals to groups are similar between methods, and willingness-to-pay estimates are consistent. In addition, there are significant differences in willingness-to-pay across environmental attitudinal groups, and we find that accounting for unobservable heterogeneity provides a significantly better fitting model. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media, Inc. 2007Cluster analysis, Contingent valuation, Latent class analysis, New Ecological Paradigm, Unobservable heterogeneity, Willingness-to-pay,
The economic and ecological benefits and control costs of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook) management on rangelands are evaluated using a discrete-time, dynamic economic model developed to depict 4 representative ranches in the John Day region of north-central Oregon. The model's optimization criterion is to maximize the net present value of profits through decisions regarding herd size and composition, cattle sales, and the manipulation of forage production through juniper management practices. Projections are made regarding the impacts of economically optimal juniper management on wildlife populations, stream flows, and erosion levels. Results consistently showed that juniper management options resulted in larger equilibrium herd sizes and greater economic returns. Erosion levels were substantially lower in scenarios that contained juniper management options. Economically optimal juniper management decisions led to increased quail and elk populations, but generally resulted in decreased deer populations. The results indicate there are both economic and ecological benefits from controlling western juniper on Oregon rangelands. Resumen Los beneficios econó micos y ecoló gicos del manejo del ''Western juniper'' (Juniperus occidentalis Hook) sobre los pastizales son evaluados usando un modelo discreto-tiempo y econó mico diná mico, desarrollado para describir 4 ranchos representativos de la regió n John Day del norte-centro de Oregon. El criterio de optimizació n del modelo es maximizar el valor neto presente de las ganancias a través de decisiones respecto al tamañ o y composició n del hato, venta de ganado y la manipulació n de la producció n de forraje mediante practicas de manejo del ''Juniper''. Las proyecciones son hechas en relació n a los impactos del manejo econó micamente optimo del ''Juniper'' sobre las poblaciones de fauna silvestre, corrientes de agua y niveles de erosió n. Los resultados mostraron consistentemente que las opciones de manejo del ''Juniper'' resultaron en tamañ os de hato de mayor equilibrio y mayores retornos econó micos. Los niveles de erosió n fueron substancialmente menores en escenarios que contenían opciones de manejo del ''juniper''. Las decisiones del manejo econó micamente optimo del ''Juniper'' condujeron a mayores poblaciones de codornices y alces, pero generalmente resultaron en una disminució n de las poblaciones de venado. Los resultados indican que al controlar el ''Western juniper'' en los pastizales de Oregon se obtienen tanto beneficios econó micos como ecoló gicos.
The economic and ecological benefits and control costs of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook) management on rangelands are evaluated using a discrete-time, dynamic economic model developed to depict 4 representative ranches in the John Day region of north-central Oregon. The model's optimization criterion is to maximize the net present value of profits through decisions regarding herd size and composition, cattle sales, and the manipulation of forage production through juniper management practices. Projections are made regarding the impacts of economically optimal juniper management on wildlife populations, stream flows, and erosion levels. Results consistently showed that juniper management options resulted in larger equilibrium herd sizes and greater economic returns. Erosion levels were substantially lower in scenarios that contained juniper management options. Economically optimal juniper management decisions led to increased quail and elk populations, but generally resulted in decreased deer populations. The results indicate there are both economic and ecological benefits from controlling western juniper on Oregon rangelands. Resumen Los beneficios econó micos y ecoló gicos del manejo del ''Western juniper'' (Juniperus occidentalis Hook) sobre los pastizales son evaluados usando un modelo discreto-tiempo y econó mico diná mico, desarrollado para describir 4 ranchos representativos de la regió n John Day del norte-centro de Oregon. El criterio de optimizació n del modelo es maximizar el valor neto presente de las ganancias a través de decisiones respecto al tamañ o y composició n del hato, venta de ganado y la manipulació n de la producció n de forraje mediante practicas de manejo del ''Juniper''. Las proyecciones son hechas en relació n a los impactos del manejo econó micamente optimo del ''Juniper'' sobre las poblaciones de fauna silvestre, corrientes de agua y niveles de erosió n. Los resultados mostraron consistentemente que las opciones de manejo del ''Juniper'' resultaron en tamañ os de hato de mayor equilibrio y mayores retornos econó micos. Los niveles de erosió n fueron substancialmente menores en escenarios que contenían opciones de manejo del ''juniper''. Las decisiones del manejo econó micamente optimo del ''Juniper'' condujeron a mayores poblaciones de codornices y alces, pero generalmente resultaron en una disminució n de las poblaciones de venado. Los resultados indican que al controlar el ''Western juniper'' en los pastizales de Oregon se obtienen tanto beneficios econó micos como ecoló gicos.
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