Economic Valuation of an Innovative Biodiversity Information System: Evidence from the LIFE EL-BIOS Project (Greece)
Journal
Environments
Author
Papaspyropoulos, Konstantinos G.
Mpekiri, Sofia
Moschopoulos, Konstantinos
Bontzorlos, Vasileios
Mallinis, Georgios
Spatial coverage
Ελλάδα
Publication Date
2026
Abstract
High-quality, interoperable biodiversity information is a prerequisite for effective conservation policy, compliance with European Union (EU) reporting obligations, and efficient environmental decision-making. Greece’s LIFE EL-BIOS (LIFE20 GIE/GR/001317) developed the first National Biodiversity Information System, aiming to aggregate, standardise, and disseminate spatial and non-spatial data for species, habitats, pressures, and trends. This paper provides an economic valuation of this information system as a public, nonmarket good. We designed a two-stage stated-preference study: (i) a short pre-survey to calibrate initial bids and (ii) the main survey employing double-bounded dichotomous choice (DBDC) contingent valuation with a spike-logit specification. The payment vehicle was a hypothetical monthly subscription in a post-LIFE scenario. The instrument measured time savings (hours), perceived reliability (Likert 1–5), and key demographics/roles. A total of 167 valid responses were collected in September 2025. Participants reported an average of 5.2 h saved per use (median 4; max 14). Among those expressing willingness to pay (WTP), 77% rated EL-BIOS reliability as “High/Very high”. Econometric results indicate time savings as the strongest positive determinant of WTP; perceived reliability is positive and marginally significant; years of experience are negatively associated with acceptance; and cost has a strong negative effect. Mean WTP is estimated at €6.7 per month (median €3.5). Notably, 64% of those unwilling to pay declared protest motives (data should remain public and free). Accordingly, non-payment is decomposed into true zero WTP versus protest-based refusal, i.e., refusal to pay despite acknowledging value. This high protest share reflects principled opposition to paying for public biodiversity data rather than low perceived value of the system. The EL-BIOS database generates measurable productivity gains and social value both through positive WTP and principled protest responses supporting open public data. These findings inform policy on sustainable financing, governance, and long-term operation of national biodiversity information systems.
Volume
13
Issue
5
Citation
Papaspyropoulos, Konstantinos G., Sofia Mpekiri, Konstantinos Moschopoulos, Maria Katsakiori, Vasileios Bontzorlos, and Georgios Mallinis. 2026. Economic Valuation of an Innovative Biodiversity Information System: Evidence from the LIFE EL-BIOS Project (Greece). Environments 13, no. 1: 5.
Project
Ελληνικό Πληροφοριακό Σύστημα για τη Βιοποικιλότητα: ένα καινοτόμο εργαλείο για τη διατήρηση της βιοποικιλότητας (hELlenic BIOodiversity Information System: an innovative tool for biodiversity conservation - EL-BIOS) LIFE20 GIE/GR/001317
Type
Scientific journal article
Keyword(s)
Βιοποικιλότητα
Συστήματα πληροφοριών
LIFE Programme
Subject(s)
Διατήρηση της βιοποικιλότητας
Πληροφοριακά συστήματα
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Project