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Author Daniels, S.; Bellmore, J.R.; Benjamin, J.R.; Witters, N.; Vangronsveld, J.; Van Passel, S.
Title Quantification of the indirect use value of functional group diversity based on the ecological role of species in the ecosystem Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2018 Publication Ecological Economics Abbreviated Journal Ecol Econ
Volume 153 Issue 153 Pages 181-194
Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)
Abstract An important issue in biodiversity valuation is gaining a better understanding of how biodiversity conservation affects economic activities and human welfare. Quantifying the economic benefits of biodiversity for human well-being is not straightforward. Here, we expand the ecosystem service cascade by (i) attributing a methodology to the different steps of the cascade to assess the effects of changes in functional group diversity on economic activities; (ii) including multiple attributes for defining functional diversity and (iii) integrating a dynamic ecological model simulating complex interactions and feedbacks between species with an economic model assessing the effects of changes in functional group diversity for gross revenues. The stepwise methodological framework integrates a production function approach with a market price-based approach in order to investigate the indirect use value of functional group diversity based on the ecological role of species in the ecosystem. The methodology is applied to estimate the relationship between the gross economic value of Chinook salmon (Pacific Northwest, United States) and the diversity of freshwater macroinvertebrates. The results of our analysis emphasize the importance of biological diversity for sustaining ecosystem goods and services. The analysis provides a tractable framework for quantitatively exploring the economic consequences of changes in functional group diversity.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000443669200016 Publication Date 2018-07-31
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0921-8009; 1873-6106 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 2.965 Times cited Open Access
Notes ; The authors would like to thank Ken Bagstad for his valuable comments. The research was made possible with the financial aid from a BOF grant of the Centre for Environmental Sciences (CMK, Hasselt University, BE) (BSFFEEC-R4270). Nele Witters is funded by Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO). Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. ; Approved Most recent IF: 2.965
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:153598 Serial 6239
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Author Daniels, S.; Witters, N.; Beliën, T.; Vrancken, K.; Vangronsveld, J.; Van Passel, S.
Title Monetary valuation of natural predators for biological pest control in pear production Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2017 Publication Ecological Economics Abbreviated Journal Ecol Econ
Volume 134 Issue Pages 160-173
Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)
Abstract In spite of global actions, biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. Despite the need for objectively comparable monetary standards to include biodiversity arguments in policymaking, research on the relationship between species diversity and its valuation from a societal perspective is still scarce. In this paper, a methodological framework for the valuation of natural predators based on their ecological role in the agroecosystem is introduced. The framework integrates a dynamic ecological model simulating interactions between species with an economic model, thereby quantifying the effect of reduced numbers of natural predators on the net farm income. The model attributes an objective monetary value to increased species diversity through the changes in the provisioning of a marketable good. Results indicate that the loss of three predators could decrease net farm income with 88.86 ha− 1 to 2186.5 ha− 1. For the pear production sector in Flanders in 2011, this constitutes to an indirect use value of 0,68 million for one predator and 16.63 million for the presence of three predators. The aim is to provide a justification for the argument for biodiversity conservation, based on the ecological function of species, through the delivery of comparable monetary standards.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000395219300018 Publication Date 2017-01-26
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0921-8009; 1873-6106 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.965 Times cited 4 Open Access
Notes ; The research was made possible with the financial aid from a BOF grant of the Centre for Environmental Sciences (CMK, Hasselt University). Nele Witters is funded by Research Foundation-Flanders (FWO). The authors would like to thank Ellen Elias from Symbio for providing relevant data and insights into the complex interplay between pest insects, natural predators and human impacts from fertilizers and pesticide use. ; Approved Most recent IF: 2.965
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:140685 Serial 6228
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Author Van Slycken, S.; Witters, N.; Meers, E.; Peene, A.; Michels, E.; Adriaensen, K.; Ruttens, A.; Vangronsveld, J.; Du Laing, G.; Wierinck, I.; Van Dael, M.; Van Passel, S.; Tack, F.M.G.
Title Safe use of metal-contaminated agricultural land by cultivation of energy maize (Zea mays) Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2013 Publication Environmental Pollution Abbreviated Journal Environ Pollut
Volume 178 Issue Pages 375-380
Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics
Abstract Production of food crops on trace element-contaminated agricultural lands in the Campine region (Belgium) can be problematic as legal threshold values for safe use of these crops can be exceeded. Conventional sanitation of vast areas is too expensive and alternatives need to be investigated. Zea mays on a trace element-contaminated soil in the region showed an average yield of 53 ± 10 Mg fresh or 20 ± 3 Mg dry biomass ha−1. Whole plant Cd concentrations complied with legal threshold values for animal feed. Moreover, threshold values for use in anaerobic digestion were met. Biogas production potential did not differ between maize grown on contaminated and non-contaminated soils. Results suggested favorable perspectives for farmers to generate non-food crops profitably, although effective soil cleaning would be very slow. This demonstrates that a valuable and sustainable alternative use can be generated for moderately contaminated soils on which conventional agriculture is impaired.
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Language Wos 000320487700050 Publication Date 2013-04-22
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0269-7491 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 5.099 Times cited 30 Open Access
Notes ; This research was funded by the Institute for the promotion of Innovation by Science and Technology in Flanders (IWT-Flanders, Grant IWT/CLO/50702). We want to thank OVAM, as the planting and management of this site is part of a demonstration project in the context of the INTERREG-project BENEKEMPEN. Also many thanks to laboratory staff of the departments and to Pioneer and KWS for providing the seeds. ; Approved Most recent IF: 5.099; 2013 IF: 3.902
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:129870 Serial 6247
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Author Compernolle, T.; Van Passel, S.; Weyens, N.; Vangronsveld, J.; Lebbe, L.; Thewys, T.
Title Groundwater remediation and the cost effectiveness of phytoremediation Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2012 Publication International Journal Of Phytoremediation Abbreviated Journal Int J Phytoremediat
Volume 14 Issue 9 Pages 861-877
Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)
Abstract In 1999, phytoremediation was applied at the site of a Belgian car factory to contain two BTEX plumes. This case study evaluates the cost effectiveness of phytoremediation compared to other remediation options, applying a tailored approach for economic evaluation. Generally, when phytoremediation is addressed as being cost effective, the cost effectiveness is only determined on an average basis. This study however, demonstrates that an incremental analysis may provide a more nuanced conclusion. When the cost effectiveness is calculated on an average basis, in this particular case, the no containment strategy (natural attenuation) has the lowest cost per unit mass removed and hence, should be preferred. However, when the cost effectiveness is determined incrementally, no containment should only be preferred if the value of removing an extra gram of contaminant mass is lower than 320. Otherwise, a permeable reactive barrier should be adopted. A similar analysis is provided for the effect determined on the basis of remediation time. Phytoremediation is preferred compared to no containment if reaching the objective one year earlier is worth 7 000.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000304914700004 Publication Date 2012-06-07
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1522-6514 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 1.77 Times cited 12 Open Access
Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.77; 2012 IF: 1.179
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:129862 Serial 6206
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Author Witters, N.; Mendelsohn, R.; Van Passel, S.; Van Slycken, S.; Weyens, N.; Schreurs, E.; Meers, E.; Tack, F.; Vanheusden, B.; Vangronsveld, J.
Title Phytoremediation, a sustainable remediation technology? 2 : economic assessment of CO2 abatement through the use of phytoremediation crops for renewable energy production Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2012 Publication Biomass & Bioenergy Abbreviated Journal Biomass Bioenerg
Volume 39 Issue Pages 470-477
Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)
Abstract Phytoremediation could be a sustainable remediation alternative for conventional remediation technologies. However, its implementation on a commercial scale remains disappointing. To emphasize its sustainability, this paper examines whether and how the potential economic benefit of CO2 abatement for different crops used for phytoremediation or sustainable land management purposes could promote phytotechnologies. Our analysis is based on a case study in the Campine region, where agricultural soils are contaminated with mainly cadmium. We use Life Cycle Analysis to show for the most relevant crops (willow (Salix spp), energy maize (Zea mays), and rapeseed (Brassica napus)), that phytoremediation, used for renewable energy production, could abate CO2. Converting this in economic numbers through the Marginal Abatement Cost of CO2 ( 20 ton−1) we can integrate this in the economic analysis to compare phytoremediation crops among each other, and phytoremediation with conventional technologies. The external benefit of CO2 abatement when using phytoremediation crops for land management ranges between 55 and 501 per hectare. The purpose of these calculations is not to calculate a subsidy for phytoremediation. There is no reason why one would prefer phytoremediation crops for renewable energy production over normal biomass. Moreover, subsidies for renewable energy already exist. Therefore, we should not integrate these numbers in the economic analysis again. However, these numbers could contribute to making explicit the competitive advantage of phytoremediation compared to conventional remediation technologies, but also add to a more sustainably funded decision on which crop should be grown on contaminated land.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000302829900054 Publication Date 2011-12-20
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0961-9534 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.219 Times cited 38 Open Access
Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.219; 2012 IF: 2.975
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:129863 Serial 6236
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Author Compernolle, T.; Van Passel, S.; Lebbe, L.; Vangronsveld, J.; Thewys, T.
Title Populieren en hun bacteriën : een sanering hoeft niet altijd duur en ingrijpend te zijn Type A3 Journal article
Year (down) 2010 Publication Nieuwsbrief milieu & economie Abbreviated Journal
Volume 24 Issue 5 Pages 15-17
Keywords A3 Journal article; Economics
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:140852 Serial 6237
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