This paper analyses a large dataset based on empirical non-market valuation study results reported in the USA. The dataset is used to estimate a meta-regression model that is applied to predict the corresponding recreation activity values in China. The convergent validity of the meta-analytical international benefit transfer is tested against observed recreation activity values in China. In the process, a relative percentage error indicator, paired t-test and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test are used. The mean benefit transfer error is 18.74%, an acceptable value for international transfer.
BoyleK.L.PoeG.L.BergstromJ.C. (1994), ‘What do we know about groundwater values? Preliminary implications from a meta analysis of contingent-valuation studies’, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, Vol 76, No 5, pp 1055–1061.
2.
BrouwerR. (2000), ‘Environmental value transfer: State of the art and future prospects’, Ecological Economics, Vol 32, pp 137–152.
3.
BrouwerR.SpaninksF.A. (1999), ‘The validity of environmental benefits transfer: Further empirical testing’, Environmental and Resource Economics, Vol 14, pp 95–117.
4.
DesvousgesW.H.JohnsonF.R.BanzhafH.S. (1998), Environmental Policy Analysis with Limited Information: Principles and Applications of the Transfer Method, Edward Elgar, Northampton, MA.
5.
DesvousgesW.H.NaughtonM.C.ParsonsG.R. (1992), ‘Benefit transfer: Conceptual problems in estimating water quality benefits using existing studies’, Water Resource Research, Vol 28, pp 675–683.
6.
GlassG.V. (1976), ‘Primary, secondary and meta-analysis of research’, Educational Researcher, Vol 5, pp 3–8.
7.
GujaratiD. (1995), Basic Econometrics, 3rd edn, McGraw-Hill, New York.
8.
LiZ.WangE.D. (2011), ‘Using MCMC probit model to value coastal beach quality improvement’, Journal of Environmental Protection, Vol 2, pp 109–114.
9.
LoomisJ. (1992), ‘The evolution of a more rigorous approach to benefit transfer: Benefit function transfer’, Water Resources Research, Vol 28, No 3, pp 701–705.
10.
LoomisJ. (2005), ‘Updated outdoor recreation use values on national forests and other public lands’, United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, DC, General Technical Report PNW-GTR-658.
11.
LoomisJ.B.RichardsonL. (2008), ‘Benefit transfer and visitor use estimating models of wildlife recreation, species and habitats’, National Council for Science and the Environment, 2006 Wildlife Habitat Policy Research Program, Project Topic 1H: Development of an Operational Benefits Estimation Tool for the US, Colorado State University, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Fort Collins, CO.
12.
LoomsJ.RosenbergerR. (2006), ‘Reducing barriers in future benefit transfers: Needed in primary study design and reporting’, Ecological Economics, Vol 60, No 2, pp 343–350.
13.
LoomisJ.RosenbergerR.ShresthaR. (1999), ‘Updated estimates of recreation values for the RPA program by assessment region and use of meta-analysis for recreation benefit transfer’, Colorado State University, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Fort Collins, CO, Final report, RJVA28-JV7–962.
14.
LoomisJ.WhiteD. (1996), ‘Economic benefits of rare and endangered species: Summary and meta-analysis’, Ecological Economics, Vol 18, No 3, pp 197–206.
15.
MacNairD. (1993), 1993 RPA recreation values database, on file with United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, RPA Program, Washington, DC, Contract 43–4568–3-1191.
16.
MatthewsD.I.HutchinsonW.G.ScarpaR. (2009), ‘Testing the stability of the benefit transfer function for discrete choice contingent valuation data’, Journal of Forest Economics, Vol 15, pp 13–146.
17.
McConnellK.E. (1992), ‘Model building and judgment: Implication for benefit transfer with travel cost models’, Water Resources Research, Vol 28, No 3, pp 695–700.
18.
NavrudS.ReadyR. (2007a), ‘Lessons learned for environmental value transfer’, Environmental Value Transfer: Issues and Methods’, Springer, Dordrecht, pp 283–290.
19.
NavrudS.ReadyR. (2007b), ‘Review of methods for value transfer’, Environmental Value Transfer: Issues and Methods, Springer, Dordrecht, pp 1–10.
20.
PearsonK. (1904), ‘Report on certain enteric fever inoculation statistics’, The British Medical Journal, Vol 3, pp 1243–1246.
21.
ShresthaR.K.LoomisJ. (2001), ‘Testing a meta-analysis model for benefit transfer in international outdoor recreation’, Ecological Economics, Vol 39, pp 67–83.
22.
RosenbergerS.R.LoomisJ.B. (2000), ‘Benefit Transfer Of Outdoor Recreation Use Values: A Technical Document Supporting The Forest Service Strategic Plan (2000 Revision)’, Rocky Mountain Research Station, US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Washington, DC.
23.
RosenbergerS.R.LoomisJ.B. (2004), ‘Using meta-analysis for benefit transfer: In-sample convergent validity tests of an outdoor recreation database’, Water Resources Research, Vol 36, pp 1097–1107.
24.
RozanA. (2004), ‘Benefit transfer: A comparison of WTP for air quality between France and Germany’, Environmental and Resource Economics, Vol 29, pp 295–306.
25.
SchipperY.NijkampP.RietveldP. (1998), ‘Why do aircraft noise value estimates differ? A meta-analysis’, Journal of Air Transport Management, Vol 4, pp 117–124.
26.
ShelbyL.B.VaskeJ.J. (2008), ‘Understanding meta-analysis: A review of the methodological literature’, Leisure Sciences, Vol 30, No 2, pp 96–110.
27.
ShresthaR.K.LoomisJ.B. (2001), ‘Testing a meta-analysis model for benefit transfer in international outdoor recreation’, Ecological Economics, Vol 39, pp 67–83.
28.
ShresthaR.RosenbergerR.LoomisJ. (2007), ‘Benefit transfer using meta-analysis in recreation economic valuation’, in NavrudS.ReadyR., eds, Environmental Value Transfer: Issues and Methods, Springer, Dordrecht, pp 161–177.
29.
SmithV.K.KaoruY. (1990), ‘Signals or noise-explaining the variation in recreation benefit estimate’, American Journal of Agriculture Economics, Vol 72, pp 419–433.
30.
SmithV.K.OsborneL. (1996), ‘Do contingent valuation estimates pass a scope test? A meta-analysis’, Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Vol 31, pp 287–301.
31.
SmithV.K.PattanayakS.K. (2002), ‘Is meta-analysis a Noah's ark for non-market valuation?’, Environmental and Resource Economics, Vol 22, pp 271–296.
32.
SorgC.F.LoomisJ.B. (1984), ‘Empirical estimates of amenity forest values: A comparative review’, US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station, Fort Collins, CO, Gen. Tech. Rep. RM-107.
33.
SturtevantL.A.JohnsonF.R.DesvousgesW.H. (1998), ‘A meta-analysis of recreational fishing’, Triangle Economic Research, Durham, NC, unpublished manuscript.
34.
StynesD.J.PetersonG.L.RosenthalD. (1986), ‘Log transformation bias in estimating travel cost models’, Land Economics, Vol 62, No 1, pp 94–103.
35.
US Environmental Protection Agency (2000), ‘Guidelines for preparing economic analyses’, EPA 240-R-00–003, Washington, DC.
36.
WalshR.G.JohnsonD.M.McKeanJ.R. (1988), ‘Review of outdoor recreation economic demand studies with nonmarket benefit estimates, 1968–1988’, Colorado State University, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Fort Collins, CO, Tech. Rep. No. 54.
37.
WalshR.G.JohnsonD.M.McKeanJ.R. (1992), ‘Benefit transfer of outdoor recreation demand studies: 1968–1988’, Water Resources Research, Vol 28, pp 707–713.
38.
WangE.D.LiZ.Z.LittleB.B.YuY. (2009), ‘The economic impact of tourism in Xinghai Park, China: A travel cost value analysis using count data regression models’, Tourism Economics, Vol 15, No 2, pp 413–425.
