One Reef, Many Values: Understanding Cross-National Drivers of Coral Conservation in the Gulf of Aqaba

This dataset was collected in 2024 as part of a cross-national research project aimed at estimating the economic value of coral reefs in the Gulf of Aqaba and understanding public motivations for their conservation. The study hypothesized that coral reefs generate substantial non-market value—even among individuals who do not directly interact with them—and that willingness to pay (WTP) and conservation motivations vary across national and cultural contexts. The dataset includes four components: 1. Non-users ISR – A representative sample of the Israeli general population, surveyed using the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). 2. Non-users JRD – A representative sample of the Jordanian general population, surveyed using the same CVM instrument. 3. Users ISR – An on-site sample of Israeli visitors to the Coral Beach Nature Reserve in Eilat, also surveyed using CVM. 4. TCM (ISR Users) – Travel Cost Method (TCM) data collected from on-site visitors to estimate recreational use value. Key findings: * Broad support for coral reef conservation was found in both countries, with high stated WTP values. * Israeli respondents exhibited higher WTP and mainly cited bequest value as their primary motivation. * Jordanian respondents more frequently cited intrinsic/ecocentric motivations, such as existence value. * The estimated total non-use value in Israel is approximately $87.2 million/year, and the recreational use value is around $9.2 million/year. * The estimated non-use value in Jordan is approximately $36.6 million/year. This dataset supports economic valuation, motivational analysis, and evidence-based policy development for transboundary marine conservation.本数据集采集于2024年，属于一项跨国研究项目的组成部分，该项目旨在评估亚喀巴湾（Gulf of Aqaba）珊瑚礁的经济价值，并理解公众对其开展保护的动机。本研究提出两项假设：其一，珊瑚礁能够创造可观的非市场价值，即便对于未直接接触珊瑚礁的个体而言亦是如此；其二，支付意愿（Willingness to Pay, WTP）与保护动机因国家与文化背景的差异而有所不同。 本数据集包含四个组成部分： 1. 以色列非使用者样本（Non-users ISR）：采用条件价值评估法（Contingent Valuation Method, CVM）开展调研的以色列普通人群代表性样本。 2. 约旦非使用者样本（Non-users JRD）：采用相同CVM调研工具开展调研的约旦普通人群代表性样本。 3. 以色列使用者样本（Users ISR）：在埃拉特珊瑚海滩自然保护区实地调研的以色列游客样本，同样采用CVM开展调研。 4. 以色列使用者旅行成本法数据（TCM (ISR Users)）：从实地游客处采集的旅行成本法（Travel Cost Method, TCM）数据，用于估算休闲使用价值。 核心研究结果如下： * 两国民众均对珊瑚礁保护表现出广泛支持，且声明的WTP数值较高。 * 以色列受访者的WTP更高，且主要将遗产价值作为其保护动机的首要动因。 * 约旦受访者则更常提及内在/生态中心主义动机，例如存在价值。 * 以色列地区估算的总非使用价值约为8720万美元/年，休闲使用价值约为920万美元/年。 * 约旦地区估算的非使用价值约为3660万美元/年。 本数据集可用于跨境海洋保护领域的经济估值、动机分析以及循证政策制定。