Research Interests
In my research portfolio, some projects involve the use of more traditional data, such as permits or survey data, whereas other projects also incorporate more novel data, such as citizen/community science and/or satellite data. The projects I am working on that focus on a single time tend to be more traditional non-market valuation studies. These include a stated-preference survey to evaluate the current hiking program in Waikamoi Preserve – a preserve managed by The Nature Conservancy on Maui (work co-authored with Dr. Brian Vander Naald of Drake University and Alison Cohan of The Nature Conservancy’s Maui Nui Program Director) and revealed preference data collected through on-site surveys to measure the value of recreational fishing along the Sacramento River (work co-authored with Drs. Anita Chaudhry and Pete Tsournos of California State University, Chico). The projects that analyze data from multiple time periods include hiking in the Mount Adams Wilderness (solo work) and bird watching (both away and around the home) in the Pacific Northwest as well as the Chesapeake Bay area (work co-authored with Dr. Cameron). These projects primarily use citizen/community science data on bird watching trips, which are enriched by the availability of satellite data to improve the temporal resolution of the analysis from what was previously possible. My newest project, slated to start in February 2020, focuses on studying the importance of near-shore habitats to birds and the projected ecological and economic consequences of future sea-level rise and urban development with Dr. Christopher Heckscher (ecologist at Delaware State University) and is funded through a Delaware Sea Grant.
Published Papers
Kolstoe, S., Cameron, T.A. & Wilsey, C. (2018). Climate, land cover, and bird populations: Differential impacts on the future welfare of birders across the Pacific Northwest. Agricultural and Resource Economics Review, 47(2), 272-310.
Accepted Version
Online Appendix Material
Abstract
Using a random utility maximization model for birding destination choices based on the reports of Oregon and Washington State members of the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology eBird citizen science project, we estimate spatially differentiated welfare effects that birders may experience as a consequence of forecasted changes in land cover and climate. We forecast per-trip welfare effects (equivalent variations) expected under a business-as-usual scenario using published forecasts for both land cover and species richness. We find significant county-level heterogeneity across eBirders in forecasted average per-trip welfare effects. The results suggest differential distributional consequences across active birders in different areas.
Kolstoe, S. & Cameron, T.A. (2017). The Non-market Value of Birding Sites and the Marginal Value of Additional Species: Biodiversity in a Random Utility Model of Site Choice by eBird Members. Ecological Economics, 137, 1-12.
Online Appendix Material
Abstract
The eBird database is the product of a huge citizen science project at the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology. Members report their birding excursions both their destinations and the numbers and types of birds they observe on each trip. Based on home address information, we calculate travel costs for each birder for trips to alternative birding hotspots. We focus on the Pacific Northwest U.S. (Washington and Oregon states). Many birders are “listers” who seek to maximize the cumulative number of species they have been able to see, and each hotspot is characterized by the number of bird species expected to be present. In a random utility model of destination site choice, we allow for seasonal as well as random heterogeneity in the marginal utility per bird species. For this population of birders, marginal WTP for an additional bird species is highest in June when birds are in their mating-season plumage (at more than $3 per species per trip). Total WTP for a birding outing also depends on other site attributes (including ecological management regime, the possible presence of endangered bird species, urban/rural location, ecological region and relative congestion/popularity). Evidence of variety-seeking can also be discerned in birders' destination choices.
Riddel, M., & Kolstoe, S. (2013). Heterogeneity in life-duration preferences: Are risky recreationists really more risk loving? Journal of Risk and Uncertainty,46 (2), 191-213.
Abstract
We conduct multiple price list experiments that elicit life duration risk preferences from amateur auto racers, technical rock climbers, SCUBA divers, and a student control group. We posit a preference function that allows for risk aversion and probability weighting. We are particularly interested in whether the behavior of risk takers, such as risky recreationists or smokers, is best explained by a risk-tolerant utility function or if immunity to possibility bias arising from over-weighting of low probabilities is a more important motivator of the choice to engage in risky activities. We find that amateur auto racers are more rational than either students or other risky recreationists because they are less likely to overemphasize low-probability events. Women, older subjects, and rock climbers are more susceptible to possibility bias than others, making them likely to over-invest in disease treatments that have a low probability of success.
Accepted Version
Online Appendix Material
Abstract
Using a random utility maximization model for birding destination choices based on the reports of Oregon and Washington State members of the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology eBird citizen science project, we estimate spatially differentiated welfare effects that birders may experience as a consequence of forecasted changes in land cover and climate. We forecast per-trip welfare effects (equivalent variations) expected under a business-as-usual scenario using published forecasts for both land cover and species richness. We find significant county-level heterogeneity across eBirders in forecasted average per-trip welfare effects. The results suggest differential distributional consequences across active birders in different areas.
Kolstoe, S. & Cameron, T.A. (2017). The Non-market Value of Birding Sites and the Marginal Value of Additional Species: Biodiversity in a Random Utility Model of Site Choice by eBird Members. Ecological Economics, 137, 1-12.
Online Appendix Material
Abstract
The eBird database is the product of a huge citizen science project at the Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology. Members report their birding excursions both their destinations and the numbers and types of birds they observe on each trip. Based on home address information, we calculate travel costs for each birder for trips to alternative birding hotspots. We focus on the Pacific Northwest U.S. (Washington and Oregon states). Many birders are “listers” who seek to maximize the cumulative number of species they have been able to see, and each hotspot is characterized by the number of bird species expected to be present. In a random utility model of destination site choice, we allow for seasonal as well as random heterogeneity in the marginal utility per bird species. For this population of birders, marginal WTP for an additional bird species is highest in June when birds are in their mating-season plumage (at more than $3 per species per trip). Total WTP for a birding outing also depends on other site attributes (including ecological management regime, the possible presence of endangered bird species, urban/rural location, ecological region and relative congestion/popularity). Evidence of variety-seeking can also be discerned in birders' destination choices.
Riddel, M., & Kolstoe, S. (2013). Heterogeneity in life-duration preferences: Are risky recreationists really more risk loving? Journal of Risk and Uncertainty,46 (2), 191-213.
Abstract
We conduct multiple price list experiments that elicit life duration risk preferences from amateur auto racers, technical rock climbers, SCUBA divers, and a student control group. We posit a preference function that allows for risk aversion and probability weighting. We are particularly interested in whether the behavior of risk takers, such as risky recreationists or smokers, is best explained by a risk-tolerant utility function or if immunity to possibility bias arising from over-weighting of low probabilities is a more important motivator of the choice to engage in risky activities. We find that amateur auto racers are more rational than either students or other risky recreationists because they are less likely to overemphasize low-probability events. Women, older subjects, and rock climbers are more susceptible to possibility bias than others, making them likely to over-invest in disease treatments that have a low probability of success.
Working Papers
Blending Supplementary Surveys with Citizen Science Data to Estimate Representative Use Values for Non-market Environmental Goods: An eBird example. (with Trudy Ann Cameron)
Working Paper
How to Use Auxiliary General-Population Samples to Reduce Sample Selection Bias in Modeling: Geographic Ranges for eBirders versus All Birders (with Trudy Ann Cameron)
Working Paper
Spatial Economics of Citizen Science (with David Kling and Tu Nguyen)
Link to version in the USDA Proceedings Paper - June 2019
Working Paper
How to Use Auxiliary General-Population Samples to Reduce Sample Selection Bias in Modeling: Geographic Ranges for eBirders versus All Birders (with Trudy Ann Cameron)
Working Paper
Spatial Economics of Citizen Science (with David Kling and Tu Nguyen)
Link to version in the USDA Proceedings Paper - June 2019
Draft Manuscripts
Low-Snowpack and Wildfires: A Welfare Double-Edged Sword for Hikers
Salmon are King: A Recreational Site-Choice Model of Fishing during an Extreme and Prolonged Drought (with Anita Chaudhry and Pete Tsournos)
Salmon are King: A Recreational Site-Choice Model of Fishing during an Extreme and Prolonged Drought (with Anita Chaudhry and Pete Tsournos)
Works in Progress
Exploring Preferences of eBirders over Backyard and Local Birds, A Stated Preference Approach. (with Trudy Ann Cameron)
Wildfires, Air Quality and Birding: How Participation Changes. (with Trudy Ann Cameron)
Wildfires and Birding: Valuing Ecological Succession. (with Trudy Ann Cameron)
WTP for biodiversity protection: Evidence from Waikamoi Preserve (with Brian Vander Naald and Alison Cohan)
Wildfires, Air Quality and Birding: How Participation Changes. (with Trudy Ann Cameron)
Wildfires and Birding: Valuing Ecological Succession. (with Trudy Ann Cameron)
WTP for biodiversity protection: Evidence from Waikamoi Preserve (with Brian Vander Naald and Alison Cohan)