Ecosystem services from agriculture as key factor of territorial competitiveness

The Faustmann–Hartman setup is widely established for specifying the economics of forest values besides timber, but it is criticized as restrictive for capturing diversity values. We show that extending the model to cover diversity attributes, i.e., mixed species and internal heterogeneity within species, is not enough to overcome these restrictions. Additionally, it is necessary to extend forest harvesting regimes to cover thinning, continuous cover forestry, and the management of commercially useless trees. Restrictions in the Faustmann–Hartman setup are first shown analytically with optimized thinning but without tree size structures. The empirical significance of these findings is shown by a model that includes four tree species, tree size structures, an extended set of forest management activities, a detailed description of harvesting costs, and a measure for stand diversity as a key factor behind ecosystem services. We show how an optimal harvesting regime, net revenues, wood output, and stand diversity depend on model flexibility, economic parameters, and the valuation of ecosystem services. In a setup allowing flexible management regimes, the costs of reaching a specified level of ecosystem services are negligible compared with those of the Faustmann–Hartman specification.

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An Ecosystem Services Valuation Research Framework for Policy Integration in Developing Countries: A Case Study from Nepal

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12198250 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (19) ◽

pp. 8250

Author(s):

Ram Prasad Acharya ◽

Tek Narayan Maraseni ◽

Geoff Cockfield

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Policy Integration ◽

Research Framework ◽

Research Outcomes ◽

Forest Ecosystem Services ◽

Key Factor ◽

High Investment ◽

Research Findings ◽

Limited Application

Forest ecosystem services (ES) valuation research has increased exponentially in recent years, and scholars accept that such research could be useful in reshaping governments’ policies. Despite such scholarly efforts, the research outcomes have had limited application in actual policies and plans. This study explores reasons why ES valuation research recommendations are not reflected in policy processes and proposes a research framework which, when appropriately applied, would lead to the adoption of research findings. Literature review, semi-structured expert interviews (N = 29), and a workshop (N = 2), were used to achieve these objectives. Experts expressed that limited stakeholder engagement is the key factor hindering incorporation of ES research outcomes in policies and plans. We developed a framework that comprises four major components (inputs, actors, outcomes, impacts) and sets out the seven major steps involved in implementing this framework. Effective engagement of relevant stakeholders in each step is critical to integrate the ES research outcomes in policy and plans although this will demand a lengthy timeframe and a high investment requirement. Such engagement would create an environment of trust that enhances the acceptability of research outcomes among stakeholders. The acceptability of the research outcomes can increase ownership leading to more informed decision making, and ultimately yield desired outcomes in ES conservation.

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The Ecosystem Services Benchmark

Ökologisches Wirtschaften - Fachzeitschrift ◽

10.14512/oew.v25i3.1063 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Margot Hill ◽

Ivo Mulder ◽

Annelisa Grigg ◽

Zoe Cullen ◽

Jack Foxall

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Natural Resources ◽

Management Systems ◽

Strategic Framework ◽

Future Performance ◽

Key Factor

The impacts and dependences of companies on natural resources is a key factor for their future performance. The new Ecosystem Services Benchmark identifies risks and performances of companies and provides a strategic framework on the issue, often overlooked in established management systems.

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A worldwide survey of neonicotinoids in honey

Science ◽

10.1126/science.aan3684 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 358 (6359) ◽

pp. 109-111 ◽

Cited By ~ 144

Author(s):

E. A. D. Mitchell ◽

B. Mulhauser ◽

M. Mulot ◽

A. Mutabazi ◽

G. Glauser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Standard Error ◽

Residue Level ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Pollinator Decline ◽

Maximum Residue Level ◽

The World ◽

Key Factor ◽

Average Standard Error ◽

Neonicotinoid Pesticides

Growing evidence for global pollinator decline is causing concern for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services maintenance. Neonicotinoid pesticides have been identified or suspected as a key factor responsible for this decline. We assessed the global exposure of pollinators to neonicotinoids by analyzing 198 honey samples from across the world. We found at least one of five tested compounds (acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, and thiamethoxam) in 75% of all samples, 45% of samples contained two or more of these compounds, and 10% contained four or five. Our results confirm the exposure of bees to neonicotinoids in their food throughout the world. The coexistence of neonicotinoids and other pesticides may increase harm to pollinators. However, the concentrations detected are below the maximum residue level authorized for human consumption (average ± standard error for positive samples: 1.8 ± 0.56 nanograms per gram).

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Attachment of oral bacteria to titanium surfaces: An SEM study

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100170074 ◽

1994 ◽

Vol 52 ◽

pp. 468-469

Author(s):

J. E. Laffoon ◽

R. L. Anderson ◽

J. C. Keller ◽

C. D. Wu-Yuan

Keyword(s):

Technical Problem ◽

Titanium Implant ◽

Oral Bacteria ◽

Bacterial Cells ◽

Thin Sections ◽

Surface Ultrastructure ◽

Sem Study ◽

Key Factor ◽

Titanium Surfaces

Titanium (Ti) dental implants have been used widely for many years. Long term implant failures are related, in part, to the development of peri-implantitis frequently associated with bacteria. Bacterial adherence and colonization have been considered a key factor in the pathogenesis of many biomaterial based infections. Without the initial attachment of oral bacteria to Ti-implant surfaces, subsequent polymicrobial accumulation and colonization leading to peri-implant disease cannot occur. The overall goal of this study is to examine the implant-oral bacterial interfaces and gain a greater understanding of their attachment characteristics and mechanisms. Since the detailed cell surface ultrastructure involved in attachment is only discernible at the electron microscopy level, the study is complicated by the technical problem of obtaining titanium implant and attached bacterial cells in the same ultra-thin sections. In this study, a technique was developed to facilitate the study of Ti implant-bacteria interface.Discs of polymerized Spurr’s resin (12 mm x 5 mm) were formed to a thickness of approximately 3 mm using an EM block holder (Fig. 1). Titanium was then deposited by vacuum deposition to a film thickness of 300Å (Fig. 2).

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Forum: Morphological Awareness as a Key Factor in Language-Literacy Success for Academic Achievement

Language Speech and Hearing Services in Schools ◽

10.1044/2020_lshss-20-00064 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (3) ◽

pp. 509-513

Author(s):

Ashley Bourque Meaux ◽

Julie A. Wolter ◽

Ginger G. Collins

Keyword(s):

Academic Achievement ◽

Academic Success ◽

Literacy Development ◽

Morphological Awareness ◽

Language And Literacy ◽

Speech Language Pathologists ◽

School Based ◽

Literacy Success ◽

Key Factor ◽

Language And Literacy Development

Purpose This article introduces the Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools Forum: Morphological Awareness as a Key Factor in Language-Literacy Success for Academic Achievement. The goal of this forum is to relate the influence morphological awareness (MA) has on overall language and literacy development with morphology acting as the “binding agent” between orthography, phonology, and semantics ( Perfetti, 2007 ) in assessment and intervention for school-aged children. Method This introduction provides a foundation for MA development and explores the influence MA has over the course of school-aged language and literacy development. Through summaries of the 11 articles in this forum, school-based speech-language pathologists will be able to convey the importance of MA to promote successful educational outcomes for kindergarten to adolescent students. The forum explores researcher-developed assessments used to help identify MA skill level in first- through eighth-grade students at risk for literacy failure to support instructional needs. The forum also provides school-based speech-language pathologists with details to design and implement MA interventions to support academic success for school-aged students with varying speech-language needs (e.g., dual language emersion, vocabulary development, reading comprehension) using various service delivery models (e.g., small group, classroom-based, intensive summer camps). Conclusion MA is effective in facilitating language and literacy development and as such can be an ideally focused on using multilinguistic approaches for assessment and intervention. The articles in this issue highlight the importance in assessment measures and intervention approaches that focus on students' MA to improve overall academic success in children of all ages and abilities.

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