Location choice for renewable resource extraction with multiple non-cooperative extractors: a spatial Nash equilibrium model and numerical implementation

Especially in lower-income countries, the distribution of renewable resources in open access settings often reflects the non-cooperative spatial extraction decisions of many individuals who spread out across a landscape. These individuals recognize tradeoffs between distance to the resource, density, and competition amongst extractors. In this paper we present a game theoretic model that explicitly accommodates such explicitly spatial non-cooperative behavior with respect to the extraction of a stationary renewable natural resource, such as a non-timber forest products or bivalvia (for example, oysters, clams), that is located in a two dimensional landscape. Villagers that have identical labor allocations and preferences are shown to undertake very different extraction pathways in equilibrium. For example, some may extract in more congested patches closer to the village while others may extract in less crowded but more distant patches. For many parameterizations, we find multiple spatial Nash equilibria that differ with respect to the number of villagers at each resource location, whether individual villagers extract from one or multiple locations, and the extent and spatial pattern of resource degradation. In addition to finding equilibria with widely different actions taken by identical extractors, the analysis here demonstrates the impact of simplifying assumptions for spatial decisions on predictions of policy impact, resource distributions, and conflict

Så kan Sverige bli ledande nation i resurseffektivitet

Ny rapport. Det svenska näringslivet kan bli mer hållbart, resurssmart och därmed internationellt konkurrenskraftigt. Men för det behövs en tydlig politisk avsiktsförklaring och riktlinjer. Vi har listat sex områden där policyutveckling brådskar, skriver företrädare för näringsliv, forskning och myndigheter i en gemensam uppmaning

Bridging the Research–Policy Gap for Sustainable Development: A Handbook for Policy Engagement and Impact in the Global South

Bridging the Research–Policy Gap for Sustainable Development: A Handbook for Policy Engagement and Impact in the Global South provides guidance for researchers seeking to enhance the societal relevance and impact of their work through proactive policy engagement. The handbook draws on experiences and examples from research centers in Africa, Latin America, and Asia involved in the Environment for Development (EfD) Initiative, offering practical tools and strategies applicable across diverse policy and governance contexts in the Global South. Structured in three parts, the handbook introduces key concepts and frameworks for understanding research impact (Part A), provides hands-on guidance for planning and implementing policy engagement activities and evaluating impacts of research (Part B), and offers tools and advice for effective science communication (Part C). Across all parts, it emphasizes the importance of sustained relationships with policymakers, civil society, community-based organizations, and the private sector. By helping researchers navigate complex policy environments, it contributes to more informed decision-making and progress toward sustainability goals at local, national, and global levels