MAPPING NON-MARKET VALUES AND CONDITIONS OF SPRINGS ECOSYSTEMS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC LAND MANAGEMENT

A visualization tool was created to enhance the understanding of tradeoffs between policy decisions and their effects on non-market goods and services for springs ecosystems on public lands. The influence of human activities of springs in the Coconino and Kaibab National Forests is an issue of growing concern and presents several problems not only for ecosystems, but for society. Springs provide an abundance of ecosystem services such as water use, cultural significance, recreational use, ranching, and other non-market goods and services. Using the economic valuation method of choice experiment surveys, a willingness to pay (WTP) estimate was calculated for spring ecosystem services in these two national forests. Estimating a dollar amount, or WTP, for these services bridges the gap between those who benefit from non-market goods and those who implement policy decisions by using a common unit of measurement. Six map layers were created for each valued attribute and represent springs in the study area that provide (1) Cultural Significance, (2) City Water Supply, (3) Biological Habitat Quality, (4) Recreational Use, (5) Ranching, and (6) Flow. A combination of Geographic Information System (GIS) methods and Spring ecosystem assessment protocol (SEAP) data were used for the creation and analysis of spatial layers. SEAP scoring is a method of assessing the natural resource condition and freedom of risk from human activities of spring ecosystems through 42 questions within six categories. This assessment protocol was used to define the criteria for each attribute layer, as well as locate springs that will most likely respond to stewardship attention. Management scenarios can then be created to provide grazing services while maintaining the integrity of springs and ecosystem services. The results from this study are being used to incorporate non-market values into sustainable rangeland management. Management scenarios are transferable and can inform management decision making in similar climates and ecosystems.