Sandra S. Batie

Economic value of natural Coastal wetlands: A critique

Recent estimates by J. Gosselink, E. Odum, and R. Pope of the economic value of natural wetlands have had considerable impact on analyses and discussions of public policies concerning natural wetlands management. However, these economic value estimates are neither conceptually nor empirically correct. First, these workers failed to recognize the nature of the process by which economic values are determined and made an illegitimate marriage of the principles of systems ecology and economic theory. Second, where Gosselink et al. attempted to apply proper economic principles, their calculations resulted in economic value estimates that are most likely in error.

Economic Values Attributable to Virginia's Coastal Wetlands as Inputs in Oyster Production

Coastal marine wetlands, in their natural state, are important biological and hydrological resources. Wetlands yield numerous valuable services such as provision of nursery and feeding habitat for fish and wildlife, and the assimilation of wastes. Wetlands, when filled or otherwise altered, also provide valuable sites for residences, marinas, or ports. Because well defined and vendable property rights are lacking for natural unaltered wetland services but are available for development services, the unregulated market will tend to reflect only the benefits of development. The result has been a rate of conversion of tidal wetlands that has been unsatisfactory to many individuals.

Widespread adoption of non-conventional agriculture: Profitability and impacts

Conventional agriculture is increasingly criticized as being too concentrated in ownership; too reliant on technology, petroleum-based inputs, and credit; too specialized and ecologically unsound; and too dependent on government subsidies. Alternative agriculture is offered by many as an alternative, and we discuss the possible impacts of its widespread adoption on farm income, yields, regions, labor, trade, environmental quality, and farm structure. The profitability of alternative agriculture is also examined - in so doing, a distinction is made between the adoption of low-input practices and a more holistic alternative agricultural system.

Opportunity Costs of Preserving Coastal Wetlands: A Case Study of a Recreational Housing Development

States and municipalities have committed over

Estimating the economic value of wetlands: Principles, methods, and limitations

24 billion in bond issues for land conservation in recent years, yet the structure of the land conservation industry and markets is poorly understood. Using a stated choice experiment survey, we examine the ...

Mitigating Damages From Coastal Wetlands Development: Policy, Economics and Financing

Abstract Few conceptually valid estimates of the economic value of wetlands exist. This is due, in part, to the complexity of the procedures needed to obtain such estimates in conjunction with the extensive data requirements of such procedures. In most cases, such data are lacking. This paper describes basic principles which underlie conceptually valid estimates of nonmarket and market values of wetlands and data needs for such estimates. The implications for wetlands management are explored for situations where such data are not available.

Cross-Compliance as a Soil Conservation Strategy: A Case Study

Public programs to reduce the rate of coastal wetlands losses are based upon an ambiguous policy framework. Also, scientific uncertainty about the services of wetlands make credible economic valuation difficult, thus reducing the utility of benefit-cost analysis within the wetlands regulation process. Reform of national wetlands programs can result in enhanced maintenance of wetlands stocks and accomodation of development pressures. The policy reforms proposed in this paper will result in achievement of these objectives in an economically efficient manner.

An assessment of urban development into coastal wetlands using historical aerial photography: a case study

The financial impacts of a hypothetical cross-compliance program were estimated for seventy-six farmers in Gibson County, Tennessee. Several federal program benefits were compared to the least-cost method of achieving one of four different soil displacement limits to determine if the costs of voluntarily participating in a cross-compliance program were greater than the benefits. If cost-sharing were available, farmers would have a positive incentive to cross comply to 5 tons per acre per year on 57.3 percent of all fields. This figure rises to 90.9 percent compliance at 20 tons per acre per year.

A LANCASTERIAN APPROACH FOR SPECIFYING DERIVED DEMANDS FOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Like many other states in the USA, Virginia passed legislation to protect coastal wetlands with limited information on the rate and location of past wetlands conversions. This information, however, can be useful in the design of cost-effective and flexible programs for wetlands management, particularly when such information is used in combination with studies of the socioeconomic value of wetlands. This paper reports on the use of photogrammetric and interpretive methods to determine historical changes in wetlands use for Virginia Beach and Accomack counties, Virginia. Conclusions are drawn as to the use of such information in policy design and program monitoring.

Discussion: Location Determinants of Manufacturing Industry in Rural Areas

Accurate estimations of recreational demand value of an additional facility, as represented by the schedules are important for projecting attendance at intersection of demand and supply functions. new facilities. Projecting future demand levels and An additional problem can result from failure to calculating social benefits of additional facilities can consider the effect of supply availability per se on the be biased, however, if an analyst does not consider demand for recreation. This neglect can bias both the influence of recreational opportunities. The projections of future attendance at various prices, and Lancasterian theory of household behavior provides a estimations of benefits from the provision of addiframework for exploring implications of the influence tional facilities. People tend not to engage in waterof such recreational opportunities on demand estima- based recreational activities if facilities are not easily tions, projections, and consumer surplus measures. A accessible. However, once these become accessible case study of boating demand is presented to empiri- and people begin to participate, their realized enjoycally investigate this framework.