[CANUFNET] Replacement Value for Woodlots

[Barbara Heidenreich]

Taking a broader perspective, there are a number of ways of putting a
price tag on the value of a woodlot using accepted valuation
methodologies that goes well beyond $ x per tree (say using the value of
marketable timber or "replacement costs".)..

Removal of a woodlot incurs huge losses to societal well-being that go
beyond the timber value of the trees and include such indirect and
non-use values such as (a) loss of ecosystem functions (b)
cultural-health-social-psychological loss (c) loss in property values to
abutting properties (which can be considerable). This broader concept of
"value" should be used and the direct and indirect use and non-use
values can be calculated using a variety of methods that have been
developed over the past 15 years. Frankly, if the true figures of the
value of a woodlot to the community were crunched out, there wouldn't be
a single municipal council member that would support woodlot removal.

Barbara Heidenreich
Natural Heritage Coordinator
Ontario Heritage Trust
10 Adelaide Street East, Suite 202
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C 1J3 
Telephone: 416-314-4918
Fax: 416-325-5071
E-mail: barbara.heidenreich at heritagetrust.on.ca
Websites: www.heritagetrust.on.ca I www.doorsopenontario.on.ca