Estimating Global Environmental Implications of Agricultural Trade Liberalization: A Computable General Equilibrium Analysis

Preliminary results indicate a reduction in agricultural trade barriers offers some benefits to poorer nations at the expense of some richer nations. A positive externality if trade liberalization is a decrease in coal combustion and a slight decrease in global CO2 emissions.Environmental Economics and Policy, International Relations/Trade,

Review of integrated approaches to river basin, planning, development and management

Piecemeal approaches to river basin development and management may not fully recognize the interactions and interdependence among components of a river basin system. River basin management that focuses on a single water use, on a single sector, or on the supply to particular segment of the basin population may inadvertently disrupt other sectors of the economy (in time or space). Hence, advocating for a systems approach to river basin development - for models that could help account for a river basin's key components and help address various objectives. The authors review the literature on such economic models, including models that deal with issues of water quality and quantity or with environmental considerations, recreational demand, countrywide planning, and multiple objective planning. Their review may serve as a source of references for those who need to consider whether they can use a model. Readers can evaluate the suitability, advantages, and disadvantages of particular modeling approaches for specific objectives.Water Conservation,River Basin Management,Water and Industry,Environmental Economics&Policies,Decentralization,Environmental Economics&Policies,Water Conservation,Water Supply and Sanitation Governance and Institutions,Water and Industry,Town Water Supply and Sanitation

PUBLIC FOREST RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES: TIMBER PRODUCTION, EXTERNALITIES, AND AGRICULTURAL EXPANSION

A dynamic model of deforestation and agricultural expansion in the Philippines is developed to elucidate the economic factors driving current land use trends and determine the efficacy of prevailing public forest management regulations. Optimization results are interpreted to show potential gains and intervention areas to improved national forest resource management.Land Economics/Use, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Evaluating the Potential for Technology Adoption in Mitigating Invasive Species Damage and Risk: Application to Zebra Mussels

Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Optimal investment in prevention and control of a potential invader: the case of zebra mussels in Florida waterways

The probability of a severe infestation ranges from 2% to 98% depending on investment in monitoring, prevention, and response technology. Given the estimated potential for economic damages, preliminary results indicate that prudent investment in prevention and early response net a present value net return of $10 million over 20 years.Invasive species, bio-pollutant, control cost, cost transfer, surface water, risk, Environmental Economics and Policy,

THE USE OF COST-TRANSFER ANALYSIS TO ESTIMATE THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF A POTENTIAL ZEBRA MUSSEL INFESTATION IN FLORIDA

Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) colonization of the eastern United States has resulted in expenditures of tens of millions of dollars spent by consumptive surface water users, in order to mitigate infrastructure impairment caused by this invasive species. Analogous to benefit-transfer analysis, a "cost-transfer" approach will be used to obtain general estimates of potential mitigation costs of zebra mussels in an area (Florida) that this invasive species has yet to establish itself. The goal of this research is to provide initial information about this issue to parties interested in, and/or charged with, invasive species management in the state of Florida.Bio-fouling, cost-transfer, economic impacts, Florida surface water users, monitoring and control, zebra mussels, Risk and Uncertainty,

Bioeconomic Modeling of the Invasive Aquatic Plants Hydrilla verticillata (hydrilla), Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth), and Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce) and their impacts on angler effort on Florida lakes

The invasive aquatic plants Hydrilla verticillata (hydrilla), Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth), and Pistia stratiotes (water lettuce) have the potential to negatively impact recreational use of Florida lakes if consistent, adequate control expenditures are not made. In the mid-1990's, Florida significantly reduced its spending on invasive aquatic plant control measures, which resulted in a significant increase in needed control expenditures in subsequent years. This paper attempts to formalize a relationship between coverage of these invasive aquatic plants and angler effort on Florida lakes using data on 38 lakes over 20 years. Estimated regression coefficients are used to simulate control alternatives, and expenditure cost-benefit comparisons are made.Hydrilla, water hyacinth, water lettuce, bioeconomic, invasive, control, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

A BIOECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES FOR THE U.S. NORTH ATLANTIC SWORDFISH FISHERY

A bioeconomic model of the North Atlantic swordfish (Xiphias gladius) fishery is developed to evaluate policy-relevant management options as changes from the status quo. The model accounts for heterogeneity in vessel and trip characteristics, including the number of sets placed and catch composition. Results indicate that five-year economic returns to the U.S. Atlantic pelagic longline (PLL) fleet can be increased by reducing juvenile swordfish mortality or fleet size (and possibly changing fleet composition). These policies may not be effective, however, if implemented simultaneously. Domestic management of the swordfish fishery was found to be effective, despite the small share of the international quota. Lastly, producer surpluses earned by the domestic PLL vessel owners are significantly affected by: (1) changes in swordfish demand (due to, for example, the recent chef's boycott), (2) success at negotiating the swordfish quota share, (3) catch rates, and (4) relative costs of heterogeneous vessels and trip behavior.Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Economic profile of Florida's marine life industry

The marine life industry in Florida is defined as the harvest of live marine specimens (fish and invertebrate species including plants, live rock and sand, and small “critters”) for commercial use, primarily aquariums. This paper summarizes data collected on the industry since 1990, including total landings, revenues, and trends over time. Regional analysis shows where the primary collecting areas are located in Florida. Seasonal analysis shows when the majority of landings occur within the year. Statistics on the number of participants by type (i.e., collector versus wholesaler) provide insight into the size of the industry. Trends are evaluated in terms of changes across the 9-year period from 1990 to 1998. In general, the number of licensed collectors has increased substantially, landings of fish and animal invertebrates peaked in 1994, angelfish dominated the fish landings, live rock dominated the invertebrate landings, and the average landings per trip have remained relatively constant. (67pp.

Reported Trip Costs, Gross Revenues, and Net Returns for U.S. Atlantic Pelagic Longline Vessels

Logbook set and trip summary data (containing catch and cost information, respectively) collected by NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) were analyzed for U.S. pelagic longline vessels that participated in Atlantic fisheries in 1996. These data were augmented with vessel information from the U.S. Coast Guard. Mean fish weights and ex-vessel prices from NMFS observers and licensed seafood dealers, respectively, were used to estimate gross revenues. Comparisons revealed that net returns varied substantially by vessel size and fishing behavior (i.e. sets per trip, fishing location, season, and swordfish targeting). While the calculated economic effects of proposed regulations will depend on the descriptive statistic chosen for analysis, which itself depends on the type of analysis being conducted, results show that considering heterogeneity within this fleet can have a significant effect on predicted economic consequences