JEEM and Non-market Valuation: 1974–1998

This paper considers whether the Journal of Environmental Economics and Management (JEEM) has had impact on the development and applications of the methods used to estimate economic values for non-marketed environmental resources. Journal editors control the research dialogue in a discipline and as a result have the potential to influence its scope and direction. At least four areas of research have been influenced by JEEM, the theory and practice of contingent valuation, the use of preference restrictions in valuation, the development and application of corner solution models, and the role of substitution between environmental resources for valuation.     

Mark-recapture estimators for dual frame population size of prominent nesting structures: the effect of uncertain detection probability

The combined mark-recapture and line transect sampling methodology proposed by Alpizar-Jara and Pollock [Journal of Environmental and Ecological Statistics, 3(4), 311–327, 1996; In Marine Mammal Survey and Assessment Methods Symposium. G.W. Garner, S.C. Amstrup, J.L. Laake, B.F.J. Manly, L.L. McDonald, and D.C. Robertson (Eds.), A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, Netherlands, pp. 99–114, 1999] is used to illustrate the estimation of population size for populations with prominent nesting structures (i.e., bald eagle nests). In the context of a bald eagle population, the number of nests in a list frame corresponds to a pre-marked sample of nests, and an area frame corresponds to a set of transect strips that could be regularly monitored. Unlike previous methods based on dual frame methodology using the screening estimator [Haines and Pollock (Journal of Environmental and Ecological Statistics, 5, 245–256, 1998a; Survey Methodology, 24(1), 79–88, 1998b)], we no longer need to assume that the area frame is complete (i.e., all the nests in the sampled sites do not need to be seen). One may use line transect sampling to estimate the probability of detection in a sampled area. Combining information from list and area frames provides more efficient estimators than those obtained by using data from only one frame. We derive an estimator for detection probability and generalize the screening estimator. A simulation study is carried out to compare the performance of the Chapman modification of the Lincoln–Petersen estimator to the screening estimator. Simulation results show that although the Chapman estimator is generally less precise than the screening estimator, the latter can be severely biased in presence of uncertain detection. The screening estimator outperforms the Chapman estimator in terms of mean squared error when detection probability is near 1 wheareas the Chapman estimator outperforms the screening estimator when detection probability is lower than a certain threshold value depending on particular scenarios.     

Losses from effluent taxes and quotas under uncertainty

Recent theoretical papers by Adar and Griffin (J. Environ. Econ. Manag.3, 178–188 (1976)), Fishelson (J. Environ. Econ. Manag.3, 189–197 (1976)), and Weitzman (Rev. Econ. Studies41, 477–491 (1974)) show that,different expected social losses arise from using effluent taxes and quotas as alternative control instruments when marginal control costs are uncertain. Key assumptions in these analyses are linear marginal cost and benefit functions and an additive error for the marginal cost function (to reflect uncertainty). In this paper, empirically derived nonlinear functions and more realistic multiplicative error terms are used to estimate expected control and damage costs and to identify (empirically) the mix of control instruments that minimizes expected losses.     

The Journal of Coastal Conservation, 1995–2004

This paper concludes the publication of theJournal of Coastal Conservation from 1995–2004 after the European Coastal Union and the Publishers decided to terminate the production of the journal. We look back at the 206 research papers published in this period while concentrating on Geographical and ecological variation, Focuses and trends, and Progress in European coastal conservation and management. Three indices are added: (1) a list of the 206 papers; (2) an Author Index; and (3) a Subject Index based on the titles, keywords and some additional important subjects found in the tables and figures.     

Firm incentives to promote technological change in pollution control: Reply

Our paper (Firm incentives to promote technological change in pollution control, J. Environ. Econom. Management 17, 247–265 (1989)) concluded that firms will most actively search for new abatement technology under taxes and auctioned permits. However, Marin (Firm incentives to promote technological change in pollution control: Comment, J. Environ. Econom. Management, 21, 297–300 (1991)) argues that we overstated the efficacy of auctioned permits: that we used an unrealistic assumption which might affect our findings; that auctions may misallocate permits and are administratively burdensome; and that innovation detection is difficult under this regime. Here we show that our results are largely unchanged when the assumption questioned by Marin is relaxed. We also argue that he overstates the other concerns.     

Mixing Processes in Geophysical and Astrophysical Flows – A Conference Report

The Third ERCOFTAC conference on `Mixing in Geophysical and Astrophysical Flows' was held at the University of Sheffield over the period 12–14 April 2000. The meeting attracted over forty participants from ten different countries. Some delegates had travelled from as far as U.S.A., Venezuela, Australia, Russia and Sweden to attend the conference. Nine invited papers were presented along with twenty-seven contributed oral presentations and six posters. The main topics discussed included stratified and rotating flows, gravity waves, turbulence and mixing. The presentations are summarised in this report, which aims to provide a broad account of current topics of interest related to mixing processes in geophysical and astrophysical flows.     

Integrated coastal management: the challenge of transdisciplinarity

The Euroconference on Coastal Management Research held in San-Feliu de Guixols, Spain, in December 1997 brought together scientists from a great variety of disciplines in the natural and social sciences, in a search for modes of transdisciplinary cooperation in the context of integrated coastal management. During the conference the participants discussed which interactions among disciplines are required for different coastal issues. Discussion groups each focused on a particular type of coastal environment, characterized by a particular type and degree of development. The group discussions were inspired by background papers which were prepared for this purpose by invited speakers. A selection of these background papers were redrafted on the basis of the conference outcome, and are published in this issue of theJournal of Coastal Conservation. The reports of the discussion groups are published in a conference proceedings booklet issued by EMAPS (1998), the European Polar and Marine Sciences Secretariat. A synthesis of ideas on the challenge of transdisciplinarity, expressed during the discussion group sessions, is presented in this introduction. The statements reflect opinions or suggestions which received broad support from the participants; they should not be taken as proven knowledge.     

Trends in Natural Resource Economics in JEEM 1974–1997: Breakpoint and Nonparametric Analysis

The purpose of this paper is to identify trends in natural resource economics as reflected in publications in JEEM over the period since its inception in 1974. A secondary purpose is to suggest an explanation for any patterns we observe in the data. The data base consists of all articles published during this period, classified by topic and method. We apply statistical techniques of increasing sophistication to determine the existence of trends, and interpret the results by appealing to what we characterize as forces of demand and supply.     

On the gestation period of the blackfin reef shark,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Carcharhinus melanopterus</Emphasis>, in waters off Moorea,French Polynesia

Underwater visual and photographic observations, over a four year period, monitored the presence of mating wounds on female blackfin reef shark, Carcharhinus melanopterus. Mating begins in November and continues until the end of March as each female follows her own temporal cycle. Correspondingly, parturition begins in September and continues until January. Each female again mates 1.5–2.5 months after parturition, thus completing an annual reproductive cycle. The gestation period is 286–305 days, with slight individual differences. All resident sharks under observation followed this pattern. Evidence of reproductive events presented by transient females conformed with the pattern of the residents.     

Foraging behavior of a generalist marine top predator,Japanese cormorants (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Phalacrocorax filamentosus</Emphasis>), in years of demersal versus epipelagic prey

To examine the behavioral adjustment of a generalist marine top predator to variability of their prey, we studied the foraging behavior of Japanese cormorants (Phalacrocorax filamentosus) breeding at Teuri Island, Hokkaido, in years of contrasting demersal and epipelagic prey composition. We used radio telemetry and ship-based surveys to determine behavior and at-sea distribution during three summers (1996–1998). The cormorants fed on epipelagic anchovy (Engraulis japonicus) and sandlance (Ammodytes personatus) in 1998 (year of epipelagic diet), while they fed on benthic rock fish (Sebastes spp.) and flatfish (Pleuronectidae) and nearshore-living naked sandlance (Hypophychus dybowskii), as well as epibenthic greenling (Hexagrammidae) in 1996 and 1997 (year of demersal diet). Cormorants engaged in larger feeding groups, visited more feeding sites, and stayed at each feeding site for a shorter period in the year of epipelagic diet than in the years of demersal diet. The cormorants made long foraging trips and fed in the mainland coastal habitat, distant from the colony, in the years of demersal diet. Individual radio-tracked birds fed over the wide area between the islands and mainland, in the year of epipelagic diet, while most individuals specialized in mainland or island coastal habitats in the years of demersal diet. Behavioral adjustment of Japanese cormorants might allow them to exploit both unpredictable epipelagic and predictable benthic prey efficiently.Communicated by T. Ikeda, Hakodate     

Spatial economic theory of pollution control: Reflections on a paradox

In their analyses of the impact of pollution taxation on the location of polluting decisions, U. K. Mathur (J. Environ. Econom. Management 3, 16–28 (1976)) and S. S. Gokturk (J. Reg. Sci. 19, 461–467 (1979)) obtained the result that a tax increase on urban pollution concentration may not succeed in pushing the polluting firm away from the urban center. In this paper is shown that the sufficient condition for success in this case depends upon the specification of the production and pollution emissions technology and may be the opposite to the one posited by Mathur and has more intuitive appeal.     

Flowering of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica in a north-western Mediterranean coastal area: temporal and spatial variations

Sexual reproduction in Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile is likely to be highly variable both in space and time. However, there has been little effort to identify at what spatial scale variability exists in the distribution and abundance of reproductive shoots or the magnitude of these variations. Such information is important for elucidating several aspects of the reproductive strategy of this species. Here, by using a reconstructing technique, I estimated the rate at which flowering events occurred over the last decades in three P. oceanica meadows along the coastline of the north-western Mediterranean (Italy). Then, variation in inflorescence frequency (i.e. the percentage of shoots that flowered in a particular year of the total number of shoots present in the sample in that year) was examined on a hierarchy of spatial scales, ranging from a few metres to meadows separated by tens of kilometres over a 3-year period. Separate analyses were also conducted to examine the patterns of spatial variability of several plant characteristics (i.e. shoot age and density of vegetative shoots) that may influence the timing of flowering. In total, ten reconstructed flowering events were recorded during the period 1983–1999. Despite the similar climatic conditions experienced in the three meadows surveyed, no inflorescence scars were found in one meadow. In the other two meadows, the flowering rate fluctuated considerably from year to year (0–26%), and simultaneous flowerings were detected only in 3 years (1993, 1994 and 1995). The pattern of spatial variability in the inflorescence frequency varied among years. An investigation of the flowering events recorded along the north-western Mediterranean coast reveals that in the studied period flowering also occurred across a broad range of meadows. Therefore, flowering could be a far more widespread phenomenon in this sector of the Mediterranean basin than previously thought. Analysis of variance showed significant variation in 1993 at the mean inflorescence frequency on very small scales (metres to tens of metres), whereas variation was not found at any of the scales investigated in 1994 and 1995. Overall, variation in the inflorescence frequency within individual meadows (65–93%) was at least an order of magnitude greater than that among separate meadows (0.5–19%). Patterns of spatial variation in the plant characteristics examined did not reflect those of flowering. It may be hypothesised that internal rhythms of populations, in conjunction with changes in environmental conditions, which are consistent over relatively large spatial (kilometres), are involved in the control of flowering induction. Environmental heterogeneity (in terms of nutrient availability) on a very local scale (metres to tens of metres) and intrinsic factors might affect the distribution of reproductive shoots within P. oceanica meadows.Communicated by R. Cattaneo-Vietti, Genova     

Population biology of hyperbenthic crustaceans in a cold water environment (Conception Bay,Newfoundland). II.<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Acanthostepheia malmgreni</Emphasis> (Amphipoda)

Seasonal population dynamics of the gammarid Acanthostepheia malmgreni Goës in Conception Bay, Newfoundland, were examined from October 1998 to November 2000. This species exhibited a 2.5-year life span, with the reproductive cycle correlating with seasonal phytoplankton flux. Females were semelparous and died following a 5-month brooding period and the subsequent release of juveniles in April and May. The biennial life cycle of this population should result in the presence of two cohorts in the hyperbenthos at any given time. However, the cohorts alternated in strength from year to year, which affected annual density, biomass and production during the study period. Densities were 64±87 ind. per 100 m³ in 1999 and 491±492 ind. per 100 m³ (mean±SD) in 2000. Secondary production was estimated at 18–44 mg C m^–2 in 1999 and 180–311 mg C m^–2 in 2000. The annual P/B ratios were 0.89 and 2.27 in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Growth varied both among and within cohorts, with different life-history stages exhibiting variable growth rates ranging from 0 to 12 mg dry mass month^–1.Communicated by J.P. Grassle, New Brunswick     

Analysis of growth rate in Mya arenaria using the Von Bertalanffy equation

Field studies were conducted in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA, to determine linear shell growth rates for Mya arenaria. These rates were then compared with those reported for the same species from other locations. Most shell deposition occurred from March through November of each year. Winter interruptions in growth were not as marked in the small clams as in the larger ones (>60.0 mm). Annual variations in growth were slight during the period 1973–1974. Growth of mature clams (>35.0 mm) slowed during the spawning season. No significant sexual dimorphism in mean annual growth rates was detected. Winter rings were shown to be a reliable method for determining age in clams from Gloucester. Age-size relationships, based on two independent measures of annual growth, winter rings and tagging experiments, were computed using the Von Bertalanffy growth equation. No well-defined latitudinal patcerns in growth could be established for M. arenaria.     

Ultrasonic tracking of Greenland sharks,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Somniosus microcephalus</Emphasis>, under Arctic ice

Six Greenland sharks, Somniosus microcephalus (Bloch and Schneider, 1801), 190–355 cm fork length, were tracked under land-fast sea ice off northern Baffin Island (73.2°N; 85.3°W) between 16 and 28 May 1999, using ultrasonic telemetry. The sharks were tracked continuously for periods of 5.5–13.0 h, with the tracks of two individuals lasting 31.4 and 42.8 h, respectively, each with an interval when the track was lost. Several sharks dove after release and moved along the ocean bottom for the duration of the tracking period, while others varied their movements regarding course and depth. Two sharks made repeated visits to within 11 m of the ice–water interface from deeper water. The tracked sharks exhibited no apparent depth or temperature preferences, and pooled data indicated that sharks remained deep during the morning and gradually moved into shallower depths through the afternoon and night. Rates of descent (average=0.099 m s^–1) were significantly greater than rates of ascent (average=0.058 m s^–1) for all sharks, and the average rate of horizontal movement over ground was estimated as 0.215 m s^–1. Based on the movements of tracked sharks and information contained in the literature, S. microcephalus may prey on seals in areas covered by land-fast sea ice.Communicated by J.P. Grassle, New Brunswick     

Maternal care in house mice

Summary This paper analyzes the flexibility of maternal care in wild house mice (Mus domesticus) under different reproductive conditions in the laboratory. All maternal activities were both qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed over a period of 28 days after birth of a litter. The standard behavior of a lactating house mouse with 7–8 young can be described as follows: During days 1–16 the offspring fully depend on the mother for nutrition. Due to rapid growth of the litter, the energetic demands of lactation reach a peak for the female during days 13–16. During days 17–22, the weaning period, the young begin to eat solid food. This period is characterized by behaviors that indicate different interests of the mother and offspring, and thus the existence of a parent-offspring conflict sensu Trivers (1974). Resting alone and remaining far from the litter indicate the female's interest in avoiding the offspring's demands, which are expressed in frequent attempts to initiate sucking. There is no aggression towards the young during weaning. House mice are weaned at 23 days. The relationship between mother and young appears free of conflict after weaning. Nursing is replaced by resting with body contact, but the offspring do not try to suck. The following results suggest that during the weaning period the offspring do not get more milk than corresponds to the maternal optimum—despite their frequent sucking attempts:(a) When the mother is simultaneously lactating and pregnant, offspring are smaller at weaning than under standard conditions. (b) Small litters are weaned earlier than large ones. Despite a longer nursing period, offspring from large litters are lighter at weaning than those from small ones. (c) Under high energy demand, as after postpartum mating and with large litters, females wean their young at a body weight which corresponds to the earliest physiologically possible state of independence.Parity of the female has no effect on maternal activities, nor has the presence of the father. In the latter case, however, offspring are less often left alone and unprotected.Females seem to adjust their investment according to the body weight of the progeny by delaying or advancing the date of weaning (Table 2). This behavior allows the production of the largest possible number of offspring that can be raised to a minimal physiological threshold corresponding to a body weight of approximately 9 g. Such flexibility in parental care may enhance maternal fitness under different and unpredictable environmental conditions.     

Energy content at metamorphosis and growth rate of the early juvenile barnacle<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Balanus amphitrite</Emphasis>

The energetic cost of metamorphosis in cyprids of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite Darwin was estimated by quantification of lipid, carbohydrate and protein contents. About 38–58% (4–5 mJ individual^–1) of cypris energy reserves were used during metamorphosis. Lipids accounted for 55–65%, proteins for 34–44% and carbohydrates for <2% of the energy used. Juveniles obtained from larvae fed 10⁶ cells ml^–1 of Chaetoceros gracilis were bigger (carapace length: 560–616 µm) and contained more energy (5.56±0.10 mJ juvenile^–1) than their counterparts (carapace length: 420–462 µm; energy content: 2.49±0.20 mJ juvenile^–1) obtained from larvae fed 10⁴ cells ml^–1. At water temperatures of 30°C and 24°C and food concentrations of 10⁴ and 10² cells ml^–1 (3:1 mixture of C. gracilis and Isochrysis galbana) as well as under field conditions (26.9±3.1°C and 2.2±0.8 µg chlorophyll a l^–1), juveniles obtained from larvae fed the high food concentration grew faster than juveniles obtained from larvae fed low food concentration until 5 days post-metamorphosis. Laboratory experiments revealed a combined effect of early juvenile energy content, temperature and food concentration on growth until 5 days post-metamorphosis. After 10 days post-metamorphosis, the influence of the early juvenile energy content on growth became negligible. Overall, our results indicate that the energy content at metamorphosis is of critical importance for initial growth of juvenile barnacles and emphasize the dependency of the physiological performance of early juvenile barnacles on the larval exposure to food.Communicated by O. Kinne, Oldendorf/LuheAn erratum to this article can be found at     

The Impact of Economics on Environmental Policy

Environmental economists have seen their ideas translated into the rough-and-tumble policy world for over two decades. They have witnessed the application of economic instruments to several environmental issues, including preserving wetlands, lowering lead levels, and curbing acid rain. This essay examines the impact of the rise of economics in the policy world on the making of environmental policy. I focus on two related, but distinct phenomena—the increasing interest in the use of incentive-based mechanisms, such as tradable permits, to achieve environmental goals; and the increasing interest in the use of analytical tools such as benefit–cost analysis in regulatory decision making.I argue that economists and economic instruments have had a modest impact on shaping environmental, health, and safety regulation, but that economists will play an increasingly important role in the future. Although the role of economics is becoming more prominent, it does not follow that environmental policy will become more efficient. This apparent inconsistency can be explained by the political economy of environmental policy.     

Sellers' Hedging Incentives at EPA's Emission Trading Auction

Cason (1993, J. Environ. Econom. Management25, 177–195, doi:10.1006/jeem 1993.1041) argued that the auction which the EPA used in order to start the market for sulfur allowances may reduce the efficiency of the market since it gives sellers an incentive to understate their valuation. In this paper we show that the sellers' incentives are even more perverse than Cason suggested when we take into account that sellers can also submit a bid. We show that sellers have an incentive to set their asking price equal to 0 while simultaneously hedging their bets by submitting a positive bid.     

Variability of epipelagic macrozooplankton/micronekton community structure in the NW Weddell Sea,Antarctica (1995–1996)

Macrozooplankton/micronekton in the epipelagic zone (0–100 m) of the NW Weddell Sea were sampled with a 10 m² multiple opening-closing net environmental sampling system (MOCNESS) trawl during three cruises in 1995 and 1996. A total of 40 species were collected during all cruises. Community composition, as measured using Bray-Curtis analysis and multi-dimensional scaling, permitted separation into two groups: group 1 included samples collected during September–October 1995 and group 2 contained samples collected during April-May 1996 and November–December 1996. Zooplankton collections were dominated by Thysanoessa macrura in September–October 1995 (high pack-ice cover) and by both Euphausia superba and Salpa thompsoni in April–May 1996 (intermediate pack-ice cover) and November–December 1996 (open water). Copepods were not sampled quantitatively by the MOCNESS trawl and were not included in this analysis. Trends in measured parameters of community structure are discussed with respect to environmental characteristics during each sampling period.Communicated by P.W. Sammarco, Chauvin