Research Interests
A common theme to the projects that I am working on to date are the recreational opportunities in nature that people seek out. Most of the early work in my research portfolio focuses on using the tools of non-market valuation to estimate the value to (eBird) bird watchers of biodiversity by studying the influence of spatial and temporal variations in bird populations on bird watchers’ behavior. This a continuing project on which I am now working on using newer eBird trip data combined with an additional survey administered in 2015 to gather additional information about eBird members in order to answer questions from the initial studies. A new component that will soon be in the field for this project is a stated preference study, which will elicit the values of backyard birding to birders as well as non-use values.
The tool-kit I use to analyze the eBird data is broadly applicable to many different types of environment-dependent outdoor recreational behavior. For example, one of the new projects I am working on is using hiking, camping and climbing data from the U.S. Forest Service to put together a study to estimate WTP values for recreation in the Mount Adams area. Part of the study is looking at factors, such as the impact of low snow pack levels and wild fires have had on outdoor recreationalists’ welfare. The other new project I am working on looks at the economic value of recreation on the Sacramento River. The study uses survey data collected from a year-long survey conducted at the public access sites along the Sacramento River. The study looks at difference in recreational activities, to include participation in a consumptive or non-consumptive activities and use spatial variation in site attributes, quality and access to identify recreationalist’s WTP for site attributes.
The tool-kit I use to analyze the eBird data is broadly applicable to many different types of environment-dependent outdoor recreational behavior. For example, one of the new projects I am working on is using hiking, camping and climbing data from the U.S. Forest Service to put together a study to estimate WTP values for recreation in the Mount Adams area. Part of the study is looking at factors, such as the impact of low snow pack levels and wild fires have had on outdoor recreationalists’ welfare. The other new project I am working on looks at the economic value of recreation on the Sacramento River. The study uses survey data collected from a year-long survey conducted at the public access sites along the Sacramento River. The study looks at difference in recreational activities, to include participation in a consumptive or non-consumptive activities and use spatial variation in site attributes, quality and access to identify recreationalist’s WTP for site attributes.
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. Forthcoming in Agricultural and Resource Economics Review
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.
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
Works in Progress
Blending Supplementary Surveys with Citizen Science Data to Estimate Representative Use Values for Non-market Environmental Goods: An eBird example. (with Trudy Ann Cameron)
Exploring the heterogeneity of preferences of recreationalists for recreational sites along the Sacramento River. (with Anita Chaundhry and Pete Tsournos)
Exploring Preferences of eBirders over Backyard and Local Birds, A Stated Preference Approach. (with Trudy Ann Cameron)
Low-Snow and Wildfires: A Welfare Double-Edged Sword for Hikers
Unpacking Sample Selection Bias in Destination Site Choices: A Simulation Exercise (with David Kling)
Exploring the heterogeneity of preferences of recreationalists for recreational sites along the Sacramento River. (with Anita Chaundhry and Pete Tsournos)
Exploring Preferences of eBirders over Backyard and Local Birds, A Stated Preference Approach. (with Trudy Ann Cameron)
Low-Snow and Wildfires: A Welfare Double-Edged Sword for Hikers
Unpacking Sample Selection Bias in Destination Site Choices: A Simulation Exercise (with David Kling)