Walter Sekot
University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna
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Featured researches published by Walter Sekot.
European Journal of Forest Research | 2007
Walter Sekot
Within the European Union there exist three different frameworks for forest accounting at the national level. For purposes of the national accounts, the regulations of the European System of Integrated Economic Accounts (ESA) have to be observed. They require a distinction between forestry and logging and provide specific guidelines for the valuation of standing timber. In recognition of the special character of forests and forestry production, two satellite accounts are devoted to forestry: the Economic Accounts for Forestry (EAF) and the European Framework for Integrated Environmental and Economic Accounting for Forests (IEEAF). Although they were designed as complementary to the national accounts and refer to the same basic methodologies, the guidelines for forest accounting provided by the three manuals are not fully compatible. Just recently, a further integration and harmonization of the concepts for forest accounting has been proposed. Austria has implemented the valuation of the increment as an output of forestry as requested by ESA and produces the EAF tables on a regular basis. The possibilities for extending forest accounting to natural resource accounts for standing timber and the IEEAF have been investigated in terms of pilot studies. The Austrian experiences and results exemplify the problems and possible solutions associated with the adoption of the different European schemes. Data deficits and valuation issues restrict the significance of respective results to some degree, especially as regards forestry-specific extensions of the accounting schemes.
Small-scale Forestry | 2011
Walter Sekot; Thomas Fillbrandt; Arthur Zesiger
Germany (D), Austria (A) and Switzerland (CH) share a long tradition in monitoring the economic performance of forest enterprises by means of forest accountancy networks. The results generated by these networks are a valuable empirical basis for forestry sector statistics in these countries. In the context of international analyses it is common practice to compare results between countries directly, without addressing the issue of compatibility. However, severe biases and even misjudgements may result from such simplistic approaches. These networks have been developed as national solutions, and their results are neither grounded on common methodological standards nor on attuned definitions, so that their compatibility is not guaranteed. The rising interest in international comparisons indicates that existing accountancy networks may well serve additional purposes. At the same time the importance of compatibility, if not standardisation, is highlighted. The institutions in charge of forestry accountancy networks in these countries recently launched an initiative to establish comparable datasets and to provide additional background information allowing a sound interpretation of any differences. This paper reflects the associated challenges, describes the agreements achieved as well as the common approaches adopted, and presents respective forestry financial results. This example illustrates the prospects as well as the limitations of deriving comparable data from heterogeneous sources. Initially, only few ratios are suited for valid comparisons. However, international compatibility could be improved substantially by computing alternative aggregates following a harmonized concept, the individual records of the participating enterprises providing respective details. In respect to some items, harmonization still hinges on specific amendments of the national data-frames. The preliminary findings indicate that the significance of biases varies to a great extent, so that a specific and prudent assessment is suggested. It is recommended that respective interfaces are provided when designing new forest accountancy data networks and amending existing ones in this respect.
Mountain Research and Development | 2017
Philipp Toscani; Walter Sekot
Austria is one of the few countries with a long tradition of monitoring the economic performance of forest holdings. The national Farm Accountancy Data Network also addresses some forestry-specific issues, given the high significance of farm forestry in this country. However, it is not possible to assess the profitability of small-scale farm forestry in mountainous regions based on a representative sample. In this paper, we demonstrate how information gaps can be overcome by means of economic modeling and present results of this approach for mountain forestry for the first time. In spite of the unfavorable conditions of an alpine setting, forestry tends to be of special significance for the viability and resilience of family farms in these regions. Sustainable forest management that safeguards the ecosystem services provided by forests relies mostly on the profitability of timber production. Thus, the economic development of farm forestry is a key factor in achieving targets 15.1 and 15.4 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in mountain regions.
Small-scale Forestry | 2015
Philipp Toscani; Walter Sekot
The Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union relies on empirical data provided by farm accountancy data networks. In Austria, this sample is representative not only for agriculture but also for farm forestry and does provide some forestry-specific information. However, sector statistics as well as a specific assessment of profitability and efficiency are hampered by the fact, that most inputs are not differentiated between the two lines of business. This deficiency is now overcome by means of a set of models, which are derived from the network of farm forests, which is in fact a small sub-sample of the agricultural network. Ultimately, representative results in terms of full cost accounting for farm forestry in Austria can be achieved. The paper explains the approach and highlights the significance of the results.
Monitoring forestry costs and revenues in selected European countries. | 1997
P. Hyttinen; T. Kallio; T. Olischläger; Walter Sekot; J. Winterbourne
Forest Policy and Economics | 2013
Shashi Kant; Sen Wang; Peter Deegen; Martin Hostettler; Roderich von Detten; Theodore E. Howard; David N. Laband; Claire A. Montgomery; Nicolas Robert; Walter Sekot; Gregory Valatin; Daowei Zhang
Schweizerische Zeitschrift Fur Forstwesen | 2007
Gerhard Weiss; Karl Hogl; Ewald Rametsteiner; Walter Sekot
Forest Policy and Economics | 2015
Erhard Ungerböck; Walter Sekot; Philipp Toscani
Archive | 2000
Walter Sekot
Schweizerische Zeitschrift Fur Forstwesen | 2016
Patric Bürgi; Walter Sekot; Nils Ermisch; Bernhard Pauli; Bernhard Möhring; Philipp Toscani