Landscape valuation through discrete choice experiments: Current practice and future research reflections

Abstract

The Discrete Choice Experiments (DCEs) are a fast growing landscape valuation technique. This paper describes some recent applications implemented in this field and identifies their attributes, levels, payment vehicles, experimental designs, innovations and econometric models. From this basis some important areas for future research are reflected upon. These include: choice task complexity, experimental design, preference and scale heterogeneity or econometric models’ behaviour. The purpose of this paper is to survey the state of current DCE applications, identify knowledge gaps and suggest some reflections for future research in landscape valuation through DCEs.