A perpetual flow of benefits: wilderness economic values in an evolving, multicultural society

Abstract

Wilderness is a culturally constructed concept that evolves over time with changes in socioeconomic, technological, demographic, and political conditions. Societal transformations, including growth of minority and underserved populations along with greater calls for environmental justice, in combination with changes in climatic variables (e.g., temperature and precipitation) and natural disturbances (e.g., wildfires, droughts, and invasive species) are creating new challenges for wilderness management agencies. This report provides up-to-date knowledge on societal benefits and ecosystem service values provided by wilderness and associated wildlands while also suggesting research directions that can help policymakers better understand social values and tradeoffs inherent in the allocation of resources to support wilderness preservation and management.

Keywords

Anthropocene, benefit-cost analysis, cultural values, economic values, ecosystem services, public preferences, wildlands

Citation

Holmes, Thomas P., ed. 2022. A perpetual flow of benefits: wilderness economic values in an evolving, multicultural society. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-101. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Washington Office. 196 p. https://doi.org/10.2737/WO-GTR-101.