Bioeconomic model
A bioeconomic model is a type of model in environmental , resource and agricultural economics .
definition
There is no generally accepted, clear definition of bioeconomic models . Rather, it is a generic term for models that add a biophysical component to a (standard) economic model. Bioeconomic models usually deal with the optimal use of renewable resources; they are usually growth models. Your objective function typically maximizes the net present value of a resource-related profit variable. However, there are also increasing numbers of bioeconomic modeling approaches that use several objective functions.
Bioeconomic models often use elements of capital theory and optimal governance theory . Some models deal with nonlinear and dynamic systems.
Examples of bioeconomic models
Bioeconomic models are mainly used in three areas: forest economics, fisheries economics, and agricultural economics. The models and approaches commonly used differ between these.
Forest economics
In the economic analysis of forestry, bioeconomic models are primarily used to model optimal forest management. They are based on quite simple growth functions that usually assume a fixed relationship between stocks and flows. The Faustmann-Pressler-Ohlin model is used to optimize the age structure of a forest stand by maximizing a discounted value growth function. A second type of model uses mathematical programming to maximize the economic value of a forest stand by optimizing the biomass volume. The biophysical component is a wood growth function into which environmental factors flow as exogenous variables . Extensions model forest stands with several species or simply include forest products that are not wood ( non-timber forest products, NTFP ).
Fisheries Economics
Similar to forest economics, bioeconomic models are used to model the optimal use of fishery stocks. Here, too, relatively simple growth functions are assumed. Usually it is assumed that the yield depends on the biomass stock and the effort. The aim of modeling is to identify the expense that maximizes profit. In newer models customarily the maximum sustainable yield (is maximum sustainable yield ) models. Environmental variables are mostly included through mechanistic population growth functions.
Agricultural economics
In agricultural economics, bioeconomic models are used to investigate the optimal management of agricultural land. Usually the influence of changes in environmental variables (e.g. soil quality or water availability) is analyzed. In addition, bioeconomic models are used here for policy analyzes, e.g. B. to investigate the consequences of a glyphosate ban. The models can be based on simple “accounting” approaches (e.g. contribution margin analyzes), empirical regression analyzes or mathematical programming. Extensions can also include interactions and feedback between management and the environment.
literature
- Colin W. Clark: Mathematical Bioeconomics: The Optimal Management of Renewable Resources . Wiley & Sons, New York 1990.
- Marit E. Krag: Bioeconomic modeling: Integrating economic and environmental systems? In: International Environmental Modeling and Software Society (iEMSs) 2012 International Congress on Environmental Modeling and Software . 2012 ( iemss.org [PDF]).
See also
Individual evidence
- ↑ Castro, LM, Härtl, F., Ochoa, S., Calvas, B., Izquierdo, L., Knoke, T .: Integrated bio-economic models as tools to support land-use decision making: a review of potential and limitations . In: Journal of Bioeconomics . tape 20 , no. 2 , 2018, p. 183-211 , doi : 10.1007 / s10818-018-9270-6 .
- ↑ Thomas Böcker, Wolfgang Britz, Robert Finger: Modeling the Effects of a Glyphosate Ban on Weed Management in Silage Maize Production . In: Ecological Economics . tape 145 , 2018, p. 182-193 , doi : 10.1016 / j.ecolecon.2017.08.027 .