1,721,051 research outputs found
Comparison of Methods to Economically Valuate Irrigation Water in the Qazvin Irrigation Network (Iran)
No full textUser community preferences for climate change mitigation and adaptation measures around Hainich National Park, Germany
No full textIn contemporary media discourse, suggestions for publicly mandated climate change mitigation or adaptation measures are frequently challenged from a cost perspective. However, empirical data on the actual economic appreciation of local mitigation and adaptation measures expressed as citizen willingness-to-pay (WTP) are scarce. In this paper, we report results of a preference survey using a choice experiment (CE) that quantifies economic preferences for biodiversity-based climate change mitigation and adaptation in the region surrounding Hainich National Park (Thuringia, Germany). A representative sample of 302 respondents-the majority of them frequent Hainich forest visitors-was interviewed in autumn 2006. Nested logit analysis showed that respondents state a substantially positive WTP for climate change mitigation by afforestation (p < 0.001). If converted to WTP for an additional sequestration of carbon that average German citizens emit as CO(2), a monetary value of 7.34 (sic) yr(-1) t C(-1) is obtained. For increasing forest resistance and resilience against insect pests and storms (climate change adaptation) a WTP of 27.54 (sic) yr(-1) (p < 0.001) is obtained, and 16.83 (sic) yr(-1) (p < 0.001) is obtained for increasing the general resilience and resistance of forest ecosystems to environmental stressors. Respondents support moderate programs to eradicate invasive plants when compared to more aggressive eradication measures. Due to the lack of comparable studies, it can only be conservatively assumed that WTP would be lower if mitigation and adaptation measures were to be implemented in forests not, or only rarely, used by respondents. As all proposed means for climate change mitigation and adaptation contribute to local forest ecosystem biodiversity, the results of the study advocate the realization of measures that potentially benefit both climate policy and regional conservation concerns,Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG Graduiertenkolleg) [1086
Comparison of Methods to Economically Valuate Irrigation Water in the Qazvin Irrigation Network (Iran)
No full textComparison of methods for the valuation of irrigation water: case study from Qazvin, Iran
No full textPhysical availability and adequate distribution of irrigation water are two globally pressing resource management issues. In the long run, the design of irrigation infrastructure should be based on the economic value of irrigation water, taking into account a full analysis of all associated costs and benefits. In the absence of water markets, non-market valuation methods need to be employed to assess the economic value of irrigation water. A multitude of valuation methods are available, which often differ substantially in their results. We compare three different methods using primary data collected from the Qazvin irrigation network in Iran. We compare economic values based on contingent valuation (197 rial m‾3), the value of marginal product (430/476 rial m‾3 depending on functional form assumptions), and change in net rent (1080 rial m‾3). The hypothetical nature of the contingent valuation and the presence of strategic responses may have resulted in understatements of the true water values. Thus, a stochastic frontier analysis was used to correct for undervaluation bias, which is estimated at 272 rial m‾3. Our results suggest that actual water prices fall substantially short of the estimated economic values in the Qazvin irrigation network: higher water prices would hence improve the allocation of water
Application of choice experiments to quantify the existence value of an endemic moss: a case study in Chile
No full textA choice experiment was applied to measure the existence value of an endemic moss. We assessed value separation, embedding or warm glow and 'ethical' motivations. We exemplify our application by valuing an inconspicuous moss endemic to Chile's sub-Antarctic region. The choice experiment was administered to a sample of local residents of Navarino Island (southern Chile). The design isolates the existence value by requiring respondents to make simultaneous tradeoffs between moss existence value, five other biodiversity-related values and income changes. Insensitivity to scope was addressed by using degrees of extinction risks. We predominantly use a willingness-to-accept design of the payment vehicle to avoid protest responses. A meaningful marginal value for the existence of an endemic species for Navarino island residents was documented. The design, based on varying degrees of extinction risk, avoided a strong effect of warm glow. No protest responses motivated by ethical concerns were encountered
Modeling information-sharing networks on agroforestry species in rural ethnic-based communities using ERGM
No full textAbstract The adoption of agroforestry species offers a sustainable solution for regions devoid of forest cover by mitigating soil degradation, enhancing biodiversity, and boosting household income. Understanding how information about these practices disseminates through social networks is critical for promoting their adoption, particularly in regions like southern Ecuador. This study examines information-sharing networks among two ethnic groups—Saraguro and Mestizo-colonos—that differ in their engagement with agroforestry practices. Using an Exponential-Family Random Graph Model (ERGM), we uncover distinct network patterns in information exchange. Results reveal that information on less commercially valuable species is predominantly shared within homophilic (same-ethnicity) ties, while knowledge of commercially valuable species is centralized around a single actor from the Mestizo-colono group. Transitivity within ethnic groups highlights localized knowledge-sharing dynamics, whereas intergroup exchanges reflect divergent priorities and expertise. These findings underscore the role of social network structures in shaping the dissemination of agroforestry innovations and provide methodological insights into applying ERGM for understanding complex information flows in rural contexts
Insurance function of livestock, Farmers coping capacity with crop failure in southwestern Madagascar
No full textPerceptions of cultural ecosystem services from urban green
No full textCultural ecosystem services are growing in importance and their substantial contribution to well-being is well recognized. Yet, significant conceptual and methodological gaps exist, especially for urban ecosystems. We analyzed perceptions of cultural ecosystem services in the urban context of Berlin, based on qualitative research methods. Using expert and problem-centered interviews, we show how cultural ecosystem services are understood and which focus areas were emphasized. We compared our inductive codes with the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. While our findings show supporting evidence for the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment classification, some categories had to be substituted and others adjusted to local citizen understandings. The results reveal a variety of intricate cultural ecosystem service perceptions. Hence, selecting and emphasizing only a few services without prior studies could misinform decision-makers and lead to biased policy outcome. Regionally specific perceptions of cultural benefits from urban green are important information for planning processes. Cultural ecosystem services could be one way to achieve awareness of socio-ecological aspects, as our results show linkages between cultural ecosystem services and urban social sustainability. Using qualitative cultural ecosystem service research could foster public participation and increase the input of regionally specific perceptions
Corrigendum to “Insurance Function of Livestock, Farmers Coping Capacity with Crop Failure in Southwestern Madagascar” [World Dev. 96 (2017) 264–275]
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