Coral reef ecosystem valuation surveys in Puerto Rico conducted from 2016-10-15 to 2017-06-21 (NCEI Accession 0173405)

The six reports generated as part of this study are also included within the accession:

Volume 1 presents a socioeconomic profile of reef using visitors to Puerto Rico. Estimates are presented on the total amount of visitation measured in person-trips (visits) and intensity of visitation measured in person-days. The concepts of person-trips and person-days are defined and as with many measurements, separate estimates are provided by season (summer and winter). Extensive profiles are presented on activity participation for reef using activities and non-reef using activities for reef using visitors. An extensive set of appendix tables provides details by activity type, region and season. Puerto Rico was divided into five regions for estimation of activity use. Intensity of use is measured in person-days for selected reef using activities by region and season.

Volume 2 addresses the economic contribution/impact of visitor reef user’s expenditures in Puerto Rico on the Puerto Rican economy. Estimates of total visitor spending by category are used in the IMPLAN input-output model for Puerto Rico to estimate the impact of these expenditures on the Puerto Rican economy in terms of output/sales, valued-added (gross regional product), income and employment, including multiplier or "ripple effects" of the spending by reef using visitors.

Volume 3 addresses importance-satisfaction ratings by reef using visitors on 25 natural resource attributes, facilities and services. The importance-performance four-quadrant analysis is used to place items as to their relative importance and satisfaction.

Volume 4 is a technical appendix detailing the sampling methods and estimation for items measured and presented in Volumes 1 to 3.

Volumes 5 and 6 are fundamental to the EPA decision support tool. These reports address the non-market economic values of the coral reef ecosystems. Non-market economic values are the value people receive when consuming a good or service over and above what they pay to get the good or service. Economists refer to this as “consumer’s surplus. These are the appropriate values to include in damage assessments when suing responsible parties for damages to coral reefs and in public investments to protect and/or restore coral reef ecosystems. The attributes approach to valuation is used valuing changes in the condition of coral reef ecosystem attributes (e.g., coral cover, coral diversity, fish abundance and diversity, water clarity, and the opportunity to see large wildlife). Volume 5 presents results for example scenarios using estimated models, while Volume 6 is the Technical Appendix detailing the methods used in survey sampling and
economic value estimation.