Comparative analysis between AHP and ANP in prioritization of ecosystem services - A case study in a rice field area raised in the Guadalquivir marshes (Spain)

[EN] Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Analytic Network Process (ANP) are helpful multi-criteria methods used by the decision-makers to prioritize the ecosystem services provided to humankind by a natural area. Despite being the most common in this field, as it is the easiest and quickest method, AHP simplifies reality by distributing criteria as a hierarchy. As many ecosystem services are firmly connected, this simplification can alter the results owing to the inherent subjectivity of the decision-makers¿ judgments when completing the required pairwise comparisons. In contrast, ANP considers the relationships among criteria, drawing a complex network that can help in reducing subjectivity and uncertainty. This study aims to compare how both the methods deal with these possible biases. This study prioritizes the ecosystem services provided by a farming area in an internationally recognized wetland with various interconnected services. The case study was conducted in a rice field area raised in the Guadalquivir marshes located within the Doñana Biosphere Reserve in Spain. After applying both methodologies, the results conclude that AHP considerably overestimates the most abstract services. Generally, decision-makers overvalue cultural services as they are socially more visible than others, and in AHP, they are not compared directly with other elements. Additionally, when a problem impacts the production and many people are affected, AHP also magnifies its importance because it is in the limelight. Therefore, ANP is an efficient method when a study requires higher accuracy and coexists with intangible assets despite the benefits and drawbacks of each multi-criteria method.Funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Politècnica de València. We would like to thank all the farmers, technicians, and organizations that have participated as experts and the local government of Isla Mayor and its mayor for facilitating us everything we needed during our stay in the rice field area.Jorge-García, D.; Estruch-Guitart, V. (2022). Comparative analysis between AHP and ANP in prioritization of ecosystem services - A case study in a rice field area raised in the Guadalquivir marshes (Spain). Ecological Informatics. 70:1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoinf.2022.1017391117

Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services by Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process and the Analytic Network Process. Comparative Analysis Between Both Methods in the Albufera Natural Park of València (Spain)

Assigned to WIT Press all rights under copyright that may exist in and to the Work and any associated written or multimedia components or other enhancements accompanying the Work.[EN] The Analytic Multicriteria Valuation Method (AMUVAM) was designed to value environmental assets. This method and its software allow one to incorporate all the experts' decisions in a global evaluation matrix and assign a degree of importance (weight) to the criteria. This multicriteria decision aid methodology has traditionally been based on the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Discounted Cash Flow. However, it can be substituted by the Analytic Network Process (ANP). Although it involves a higher complexity, it considers all the current relationships between the different alternatives and criteria so it should be more accurate. Therefore, the aim of the present work is to value the ecosystem services of an environmental area by using both methods and compare the results. A real application has been presented; therefore, this work has been applied to the valuation of the Albufera Natural Park in València (Spain). This area is considered one of the most important Mediterranean wetlands of the Mediterranean countries. Having obtained the results, the method can be carried out using either of the two processes when the aim of the assessment is to get the Total Economic Value. In this case, the AHP can be used as a less time-consuming and cheaper method. However, if the goal is to value the ecosystem services, there are significant differences between both methods. Some of the services are overvalued or underestimated when the AHP has been used.Jorge-García, D.; Estruch-Guitart, V. (2020). Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services by Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process and the Analytic Network Process. Comparative Analysis Between Both Methods in the Albufera Natural Park of València (Spain). International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics (Online). 15(1):1-4. https://doi.org/10.18280/ijdne.150101S1415

Determinación del valor del traspaso de jugadores de futbol profesional. Valoración multicriterio

[EN] Football is a sport that currently constitutes a sector of considerable social, cultural and economic significance, particularly in Europe and such countries as Spain, with one of the main professional football leagues in the world. The estimated economic impact of football in Europe, during the 2010/11 league, was more than 17.000 million euros. Only during 2010/11 season has been paid 525 million euros for the 20 expensive players. Despite the numbers and their importance in the football club balances nowadays there aren´t rules of economic evaluation of professional football rights. The aim of this paper is to present the application of the AHPRatio multicriterion method, to cover the absence of methodology.[ES] El fútbol es un deporte que en la actualidad constituye un sector de gran importancia social, cultural y económica, particularmente en Europa y en países como España, con una de las principales ligas de fútbol profesional. El impacto económico del fútbol en Europa, durante la Liga 2010/11, fue de más de 17.000 millones de euros. Solo en la temporada 2010/11 por los jugadores más caros se han pagado 525 millones de euros. A pesar de estas cifras y de su importancia en los balances de los clubes de fútbol, actualmente no hay normas sobre la valoración económica de los derechos del fútbol profesional. El objetivo de este documento es, presentar la aplicación de un método multicriterio, AHPRatio para cubrir esta falta de metodología.Aznar Bellver, J.; Estruch Guitart, V. (2012). Determinación del valor del traspaso de jugadores de futbol profesional. Valoración multicriterio. Revista Internacional de Derecho y Gestión del Deporte. (17):3-22. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/81547S3221

The economic value of landscape aesthetics in Albufera natural park through the analytic multicriteria valuation method

[EN] The effective definition of public intervention goals and resource allocation for natural resource management requires decision makers to understand the monetary values of the full range of goods and services provided by landscapes, in other words, their Total Economic Value (TEV). Aesthetic enjoyment (AE) can be considered as part of such TEV of landscapes. For the estimation of the economic value of AE in Albufera Natural Park (Valencia, Spain), this paper applies the Analytic Multicriteria Valuation Method (AMUVAM). It is a combination of two established techniques: analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and discount cash flow (DCF). The economic value of non-market benefits under AMUVAM is obtained indirectly, by comparing the relative degrees of importance attached to the different components of TEV. In this way, not only does it estimate a monetary value of AE but also its importance relative to TEV. Results express that AE represents 7% of the TEV in Albufera Natural Park and 24% of the EV in Albufera Natural Park ( 176 million). Results reveal distinct patterns in the valuation of TEV and existence value (EV). In this way, together with the average, a range of values which show the different sensitivities of society is provided. The comparison of the TEV obtained for Albufera Natural Park with previous studies conducted on wetlands suggests its similarity in scale.Estruch-Guitart, V.; Vallés-Planells, M. (2017). The economic value of landscape aesthetics in Albufera natural park through the analytic multicriteria valuation method. International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics. 12(3):281-302. doi:10.2495/DNE-V12-N3-281-302S28130212

Valoración de activos ambientales mediante métodos multicriterio. Aplicación a la valoración del Parque Natural del Alto Tajo

[EN] The valuation of these goods can be a relevant element for their conservation and improvement, though the intangible and immaterial aspects of environmental assets difficult the utilisation of the traditional methods of valuation. This work presents a methodology for the valuation of those assets combining multi-criteria methods, the Analytic Hierarchy Process and the Goal Programming and traditional method the Discounted Cash Flows. The combination of both techniques allows extracting an indicator of the Tota Economic Value (TEV) of an environmental asset, as well as of each partial value which make up the TEV, including tangible and intangible elements. The proposed methodology is applied to the valuation of the 'Alto Tajo' Natural Park.[ES] Calcular el valor de los activos ambientales puede ser un elemento importante para su conservación y mejora, pero con los métodos tradicionales de valoración la consideración tanto de sus aspectos intangibles como tangibles, es difícil, y en algunos casos imposible. En el presente trabajo se presenta una metodología de valoración de dichos activos que combina métodos multicriterio (Proceso Analítico Jerárquico y la programación por metas) con métodos tradicionales (método de actualización de rentas). La combinación de dichas técnicas permite deducir un indicador del Valor Económico Total de un activo ambiental y de los distintos valores parciales que lo componen, ya sean tangibles o intangibles. La metodología propuesta se ha aplicado a la valoración del Parque Natural del Alto Tajo.Los autores quieren expresar su reconocimiento a los miembros de la Junta Rectora del Parque Natural del Alto Tajo y muy especialmente a su Director por su colaboración, asimismo agradecer las sugerencias de los dos revisores anónimos que nos han permitido mejorar sensiblemente el trabajo original.Aznar Bellver, J.; Estruch Guitart, V. (2007). Appraisal of environmental assets by means of multi-criteria methods. Application to the natural park of the Alto Tajo. Economía Agraria y Recursos Naturales - Agricultural and Resource Economics. 7(13):107-126. doi:10.7201/earn.2007.13.06SWORD10712671

Economic Valuation of the Goods and Services Offered by the High Relict High-Andean Ecosystem Located in the Districts of Chiguata, Characato and Pocsi, Arequipa, Peru

[EN] The relict high-Andean forest covered by associations of Polylepis Rugulosa found in the arid Andean region of southwestern Peru is a provider of a series of environmental goods and services such as water supply, climate regulation, erosion control, among others, that contribute to the wellbeing of societies. This investigation allows us to know the allocation of a range of economic value of the ecosystem services developed in the study area, based on different perspectives of analysis through the application of the multicriteria model Analytic Network Process (ANP) and the economic estimation of CO2eq sequestration. The results obtained range from USD 32,641,387 to USD 102,098,052.This study was financially supported by the Universidad Nacional de San Agustin de Arequipa through contract NaTP-05-2019-UNSAAraca, J.; Estruch-Guitart, V.; Aznar Bellver, J.; Yufra, S. (2021). Economic Valuation of the Goods and Services Offered by the High Relict High-Andean Ecosystem Located in the Districts of Chiguata, Characato and Pocsi, Arequipa, Peru. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies. 30(6):5443-5452. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/137371S5443545230

Use of cause-effect indicators for the diagnosis of water sustainability in the Balearic Islands (Spain)

[EN] In the Balearic Islands, the expansion of the tourism sector and the urban growth have meant a transformation of the uses of water increasing the extractions and the average provisioning in the urban supply. This study aims to establish in its Hydrographic Demarcation a comparative diagnosis of the use of the resource with sustainability in the management. For the analysis, a set of cause-effect indicators is applied following the framework of reference Drivers - PressuresState- Impact and Response (DPSIR). One of the limitations detected is the difficulty in collecting data given the large number of continental water exploitation systems in the Demarcation. The socioeconomic results evaluated indicate the big bet for an economy of the service sector, which has meant a coastal population increase and the progressive abandonment of the agricultural sector. In all the islands, although at different percentage levels, there has been detected overexploitation, salinisation and contamination of some of their groundwater body masses. The current model of development, in order to avoid risks of the resource and guarantee autonomy and security in the supply, requires mid-scale adaptations from an approach of progress towards integration and moderation in growth, obeying the environmental objectives proposed by the Water Framework Directive (WFD) in the foreseen terms.[ES] En las Islas Baleares, la expansión del turismo y el crecimiento urbanístico ha supuesto una transformación de los usos del agua incrementando las extracciones y las dotaciones medias urbanas. Este estudio pretende establecer en su Demarcación Hidrográfica un diagnóstico comparativo del uso del recurso con la sostenibilidad en el manejo. Para el análisis, se aplican un conjunto de indicadores causa-efecto siguiendo el marco de referencia Fuerzas Motrices-PresionesEstado-Impactos-Respuestas (FPEIR). Una de las limitaciones detectadas es la dificultad en la recogida de datos dado el gran número de sistemas de explotación de aguas continentales de la Demarcación. Los resultados socioeconómicos evaluados indican la gran apuesta por una economía del sector servicios, que ha supuesto un aumento demográfico litoral y el abandono progresivo del 2 sector agrícola. En todas las islas, aunque a niveles porcentuales distintos, se ha detectado sobreexplotación, salinización y contaminación de algunas de sus masas de agua. El actual modelo de desarrollo, para evitar riesgos sobre el recurso y garantizar la autonomía y seguridad en el abastecimiento, requiere adaptaciones medioplacistas desde un planteamiento de avance hacia la integración y la moderación en el crecimiento cumpliendo con los objetivos medioambientales propuestos por la Directiva Marco del Agua (DMA) en los plazos previstos.El presente trabajo ha sido posible gracias a un Convenio de Colaboración entre la Universitat Politècnica de València y la Universitat de les Illes Balears dentro de un programa individual de intercambio de doctorado del primer autor, en cuya tesis se integrará dicho trabajo. Los autores agradecen a las/os revisoras/es de este artículo sus observaciones y recomendaciones.Navarro-Sousa, S.; Estruch-Guitart, V.; García, C. (2020). Uso de indicadores causa-efecto para el diagnóstico de la sostenibilidad hídrica en las Islas Baleares (España). Boletín de la Asociación de Geógrafos Españoles. 85:1-48. https://doi.org/10.21138/bage.2833S1488

Assessing conventional and organic citrus farming systems eco-efficiency: a metafrontier directional distance function approach using Life Cycle Analysis

[EN] In this paper, the eco‐efficiency of citrus farms operating under two different conventional and organic technological systems is analyzed. The methodology combines Life Cycle Analysis (LCA), to estimate the environmental impacts associated with the production process, and Data Envelopment Analysis(DEA) to estimate the position of each holding in relation to a frontier formed by the best farming practices. The use of the directional distance function concept allows us to calculate farms’eco‐efficiency scoring with respect to specific environmental impacts, and not only for the whole of them. The metafrontier concept is also used in order to compare the relative eco‐efficiency of each of the two cultivation technologies used. Our results show a wide superiority of the organic farming system in relation to the conventional. An eco‐efficient('green') organic technology represents, in relation to an eco‐efficient use of conventional citrus cultivation techniques, a potential reduction of environmental impacts by 80% without worsening economic performance. In contrast, when the performance of organic and conventional citrus farms is only analyzed in relation to best practices within each system, average eco-efficiency scores are similar for both types of farms.[ES] En este trabajo se analiza la eco-eficiencia de explotaciones citrícolas que operan bajo dos sistemas tecnológicos diferentes, convencional y orgánico. La metodología empleada combina el Análisis del Ciclo de Vida, para estimar los impactos ambientales vinculados al proceso de producción, y el Análisis Envolvente de Datos, para calcular la posición de cada explotación en relación a una frontera formada por las mejores prácticas observadas. Se hace uso del concepto de función distancia direccional, lo que permite estimar la eco-eficiencia con respecto a impactos ambientales concretos, y no sólo para el conjunto de todos ellos. Se emplea también el concepto de metafrontera, al objeto de comparar la eco-eficiencia relativa de cada una de las dos tecnologías empleadas. Los resultados obtenidos muestran una amplia superioridad del sistema de cultivo orgánico en relación al convencional. Un uso eco-eficiente de la tecnología orgánica ('ecológica') representa, en relación a un empleo eco-eficiente de las técnicas de la citricultura convencional, un potencial de reducción de los impactos ambientales del 80% sin empeorar los resultados económicos. En cambio, cuando el comportamiento de las explotaciones citrícolas orgánicas y convencionales se analiza solamente en relación a las mejores prácticas dentro de cada sistema los resultados medios en términos de eco-eficiencia son similares para ambos tipos de explotación.Beltrán Esteve, M.; Reig Martinez, E.; Estruch Guitart, V. (2015). Assessing conventional and organic citrus farming systems eco-efficiency: a metafrontier directional distance function approach using Life Cycle Analysis. Working Papers in Applied Economics. (1501):1-27. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/78996S127150

Distance Learning In Time Of Crisis: A Case Study At The School Of Agricultural Engineering And Environment Of Universitat Politècnica De València

[EN] Higher education is continuously evolving to keep up with the challenges posed by the introduction of information and communication technologies (ICT) to education. In this sense, distance learning is booming, with an increasing number of higher education students taking advantage of the flexibility remote learning provides. The School of Agricultural Engineering and Environment (ETSIAMN) of Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) has been gradually incorporating ICT tools in its bachelor and master degrees for the last two decades. As a result, many college students and university instructors are familiar with ICT techniques. However, the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis has put distance learning in the spotlight like never before, forcing students, faculty, and staff to adapt to the new situation with hardly any preparation time. For that reason, it is convenient to analyse in depth the results and impact of the teaching and evaluation methodologies developed and applied during this critical period, as a way to detect and amend potential inefficiencies in the learning process. The specific goal of this study was to analyse the teaching period during the COVID-19 crisis in ETSIAMN, which covered the spring semester of the academic year 2019-2020. To this purpose, 114 instructors and 274 students were surveyed in July 2020, belonging to four bachelor degrees (agricultural and biological engineering; forestry engineering; food engineering; and biotechnology), and three master degrees (agricultural and biological engineering; forestry engineering, and oenology). Regarding the experimental design for the survey, three main blocks were identified: the first block corresponds to teaching methodologies, comparing students and faculty preferences for distance lecturing; the second block focuses on evaluation modalities and exam configurations; and the final block centers on the difficulties found by both students and lecturers along the adaptation process from conventional to distance teaching. Results showed that instructors and students preferred a combination of live streaming with recorded lectures, being multiple choice the favourite examination type, although many students rated first a project-based evaluation. Overall, students rejected tests with no possibilities to go back on already answered questions, and instructors mostly preferred limiting the time to complete the on-line tests. The lack of motivation was the main barrier encountered by students to achieve an effective learning. Finally, a set of counterweighting measures to improve and promote the successful implementation of distance learning in engineering colleges is proposed.Clemente Polo, G.; Garcia-Prats, A.; Lisón, P.; Rubio Michavila, C.; Ricarte Benedito, B.; Estruch-Guitart, V.; Fenollosa Ribera, ML.... (2020). Distance Learning In Time Of Crisis: A Case Study At The School Of Agricultural Engineering And Environment Of Universitat Politècnica De València. IATED Academy. 3938-3945. https://doi.org/10.21125/iceri.2020.0889S3938394