Brynhildur Davíðsdóttir

Invasion of the Atlantic rock crab ( Cancer irroratus ) at high latitudes

Abstract With the increase in global oceanic trade the establishment of non-indigenous marine organisms has become a major environmental and economic problem worldwide. Recently, the Atlantic rock crab (Cancer irroratus) was reported in Icelandic waters, Eastern North Atlantic. This is the first record of this relatively large crab species outside its natural range, i.e. the east coast of North America. The crab was most likely transferred to Iceland as larvae in ballast water and has successfully established a reproducing population in Icelandic waters. The species is distributed along the southwestern- and western-coast of Iceland. Adult specimens are now common in Faxaflói Bay, Southwest Iceland, but with sporadic occurrences in western and northwestern Icelandic waters. The green crab (Carcinus maenas) and the spider crab (Hyas araneus) are the only native brachyuran decapod species commonly found in its new habitat, but despite its recent colonization the rock crab was the most abundant brachyuran in the areas studied in southwest Iceland. Egg bearing rock crab and green crab females were found from June to October, while egg bearing spider crab females were seen from July to December. In Southwest Iceland both rock crab and green crab larvae were abundant in mid-summer but rare in both spring and autumn, which is opposite of what was observed for the spider crab. The size and abundance of adult crabs, their reproductive conditions, and occurrence of all larval stages, indicate that the Atlantic rock crab has successfully colonized Iceland.

The contingent valuation study of Heiðmörk, Iceland – Willingness to pay for its preservation

The decision-making and policy formation context in Iceland has been largely devoid of total economic valuations in cost-benefit assessments. Using an internet survey and applying the double bounded dichotomous choice methodology, this contingent valuation study sets out an estimate of the total economic value pertaining to Heiðmörk, a popular recreational area of urban open space located on the fringes of Reykjavík, Garðabær and Kópavogur. In so doing, this case study advances the practice of using non-market valuation techniques in the country. The welfare estimates provide evidence that Icelanders consider Heiðmörk to possess considerable total economic value, with taxpayers willing to pay a mean lump-sum tax in the range 17,039 to 24,790 ISK per payment to secure its preservation, equating to an estimated total economic value of between 5.87 and 35.47 billion ISK. In the light of possible competitive land management demands among Heiðmörks three owners and many recreational users in the future, the establishment of these values and their potential use in cost-benefit assessments informs the debate concerning whether the area should be preserved or further developed to satisfy economic objectives. Additionally, a body of experimental evidence is formed suggesting that the increased duration of a fixed payment vehicle is associated with much higher total economic valuations compared to a one-year payment period.

Role of insurance companies in dealing with environmental issues

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role of insurance companies in solving environmental issues. Environmental issues we now face are many of such magnitude and severity that it is not just up to governments or heavy polluting companies to deal with them, everyone needs to contribute including authorities, institutions, corporations and individuals. Insurance systems differ between countries, but due to the size of the insurance sector and integration with almost every aspect oft society, insurers can be a powerful ally when it comes to implementing environment and climate policies of authorities. The article is based on a Ph.D. research of one of the authors which conducted a multi-case study of 16 Nordic insurance companies in the Aland Islands, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. The companies are divided into two case groups; the Islands group and the Mainland group. Differences in actions/inactions were evident between the case groups, meaning that most of the examples used are from the Mainland group. The environmental and climate change focus areas of the Mainland group are 1) products and services, 2) loss prevention and claim settlement, 3) investments, 4) companies own operation, 5) follow-up, and 6) insurers as a driving force of actions. In case of the Islands companies they mainly focus on loss prevention and few factors that affect their daily activities. Theoretical and practical contribution of the study is to highlight the role and contribution of insurance companies in dealing with environmental issues.