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Author Daniels, S.; Witters, N.; Beliën, T.; Vrancken, K.; Vangronsveld, J.; Van Passel, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Monetary valuation of natural predators for biological pest control in pear production Type A1 Journal article
  Year 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 (up) ; 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 Vanschoenwinkel, J.; Van Passel, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Climate response of rainfed versus irrigated farms: the bias of farm heterogeneity in irrigation Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2018 Publication Climatic Change Abbreviated Journal Climatic Change  
  Volume 147 Issue 1-2 Pages 225-234  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Researchers who do not take into account farm heterogeneity in implementing specific climate change adaptation options might significantly bias their findings. To prove this point, this paper focusses on irrigation as an adaptation option to climate change and highlights the fact that there is no such thing as “irrigation.” Instead, different farms consider water management options across a spectrum that ranges from purely rainfed farms to purely irrigated farms with in between the extreme practices such as supplemental irrigation, water conservation practices, and different irrigation techniques. Accounting for such differences is necessary, yet difficult due to a lack of farm-specific data on water management and irrigation. This paper uses unique Farm Accountancy Data Network data of Western European farmers on the proportion of farmland that each farm irrigates. Unlike previous work, this allows taking into account some within-irrigation heterogeneity instead of simply categorizing farms as being “irrigated.” We estimate and compare climate response models based on the Ricardian cross-sectional method for a large range of irrigation categories. The results give insights into how the farm irrigation climate response can be significantly different depending on how irrigation is defined. This proves that ignoring within-adaptation differences when comparing non-adaptation with adaptation (in this case, rainfed versus irrigated agriculture) might lead to biased conclusions with regard to effectiveness of adaptation strategies. We therefore argue that it might be more relevant to understand at which point and under which circumstances irrigated agriculture is more or less beneficial than rainfed agriculture.  
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  Language Wos 000425959700017 Publication Date 2018-01-16  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0165-0009 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.496 Times cited 1 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; This paper was supported by the Horizon 2020 project SUFISA (Grant Agreement No. 635577). ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.496  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:149895 Serial 6166  
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Author Einhäupl, P.V.; Krook, J.; Svensson, N.; Van Acker, K.; Van Passel, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Eliciting stakeholder needs : an anticipatory approach assessing enhanced landfill mining Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication Waste Management Abbreviated Journal Waste Manage  
  Volume 98 Issue 98 Pages 113-125  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Landfill owners, governmental institutions, technology providers, academia and local communities are important stakeholders involved in Enhanced Landfill Mining (ELFM). This concept of excavating and processing historical waste streams to higher added values can be seen as a continuation of traditional landfill mining (LFM) and seems to be an innovative and promising idea for potential environmental and societal benefits. However, ELFM's profitability is still under debate, and environmental as well as societal impacts have to be further investigated. This study provides a first step towards an anticipatory approach, assessing ELFM through stakeholder integration. In the study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with various stakeholders, involved in a case study in Flanders, Belgium. Participants were selected across a quadruple helix (QH) framework, i.e. industrial, governmental, scientific, and local community actors. The research comprises 13 interviews conducted with an aim to elicit stakeholder needs for ELFM implementation using a general inductive approach. In total 18 different stakeholder needs were identified. The paper explains how the stakeholder needs refer to the different dimensions of sustainability, which groups of stakeholders they primarily affect, and what types of uncertainty could be influenced by their implementation. The stakeholder needs are structured into societal, environmental, regulatory and techno-economic needs. Results show additional economic, environmental, and societal aspects of ELFM to be integrated into ELFM research, as well as a need for the dynamic modeling of impacts. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.  
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  Language Wos 000487175500012 Publication Date 2019-08-21  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0956-053x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.03 Times cited 3 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; This project has received funding from the European Union's EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 under Grant Agreement No 721185. ; Approved Most recent IF: 4.03  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:163760 Serial 6193  
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Author Einhäupl, P.; Van Acker, K.; Svensson, N.; Van Passel, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Developing stakeholder archetypes for enhanced landfill mining Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication Detritus Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Volume 08 - December 2019 Issue Volume 08 - December 2019 Pages 1  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Understanding the perspectives of different stakeholders on emerging technological concepts is an important step towards their implementation. Enhanced Landfill Mining (ELFM) is one of these emerging concepts. It aims at valorizing past waste streams to higher added values in a sustainable manner. Yet, assessment of ELFM mainly focusses on environmental and private economic issues, and societal impacts are rarely analyzed. This study uses semi-structured interviews to build understanding for different ELFM practitioners and researchers and develops five stakeholder archetypes for ELFM implementation: the Engaged Citizen, the Entrepreneur, the Technology Enthusiast, the Visionary and the Skeptic. The archetypes outline major differences in approaching ELFM implementation. The stakeholder perceptions are put into context with existing literature, and implications for ELFM implementation and future research are discussed. Results show that differences in regulatory changes and technology choices are affected by different stakeholder perspectives and more research is needed to balance inner- and inter-dimensional conflicts of ELFM's sustainability. The developed archetypes can especially be helpful when evaluating social impacts, whose perception often depends on opinion and is difficult to quantify.  
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  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000504065300010 Publication Date 2019-12-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; This project has received funding from the European Union's EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020 under Grant Agreement No 721185. Part of the research was presented at the 4th International Symposium on Enhanced Landfill Mining 2018 in Mechelen, Belgium. ; Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165757 Serial 6179  
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Author Maes, D.; Van Passel, S. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title An agent-based model of farmer behaviour to explain the limited adaptability of Flemish agriculture Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 22 Issue Pages 63-77  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Transition projects have been implemented for Flemish agriculture since 2003, but these did not enable a transformation of the agricultural sector. This paper looks at pre-transition scenarios that have been collectively designed by stakeholders of the agricultural sector in 2002. These foresaw decreases in the regional animal stocks in Flanders. However, the real evolution of the sector did not reveal such a decrease. It is assumed that the individual adaptive behaviour of farmers can explain the unexpected stability of the Flemish agricultural sector. A detailed agent-based model has been built to replicate the past evolution, accounting for structural diversity of farmers, heterogeneity in behaviour, and natural resource constraints. The results indicate that different forms of rigidity in the individual behaviour of farmers slow down the adaptation of the agricultural sector. Future transition scenarios should account for these elements in order not to overestimate the speed of change in the sector. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.  
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  Language Wos 000400269900006 Publication Date 2016-07-17  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2210-4224 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited 1 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; This project was financed by the Impuls-project of the Transnational University Limburg (TUL, Belgium and theNetherlands). A prior version of the results was presented in September 2014 at the 10th annual meeting of the European Social Simulation Association (ESSA) in Barcelona; the remarks from participants improved this manuscript. Thecomputational resources and services in support of this study were provided by the Hercules Foundation and the Flemish Government-department EWI. Prof. Steven Van Passel thanks DG Agriculture (European Commission) for access to theFarm Accountancy Data Network (FADN). All remaining errors are the sole responsibility of the authors. ; Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:143721 Serial 6150  
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Author Hernandez Parrodi, J.C.; Lucas, H.; Gigantino, M.; Sauve, G.; Esguerra, J.L.; Einhäupl, P.; Vollprecht, D.; Pomberger, R.; Friedrich, B.; Van Acker, K.; Krook, J.; Svensson, N.; Van Passel, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Integration of resource recovery into current waste management through (enhanced) landfill mining Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication Detritus Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Volume 08 - December 2019 Issue Volume 08 - December 2019 Pages 1  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Europe has somewhere between 150,000 and 500,000 landfill sites, with an estimated 90% of them being “non-sanitary” landfills, predating the EU Landfill Directive of 1999/31/EC. These older landfills tend to be filled with municipal solid waste and often lack any environmental protection technology. “ Doing nothing”, state-of-theart aftercare or remediating them depends largely on technical, societal and economic conditions which vary between countries. Beside “ doing nothing' and landfill aftercare, there are different scenarios in landfill mining, from re-landfilling the waste into ”sanitary landfills" to seizing the opportunity for a combined resource-recovery and remediation strategy. This review article addresses present and future issues and potential opportunities for landfill mining as an embedded strategy in current waste management systems through a multi-disciplinary approach. In particular, three general landfill mining strategies are addressed with varying extents of resource recovery. These are discussed in relation to the main targets of landfill mining: (i) reduction of the landfill volume (technical), (ii) reduction of risks and impacts (environmental) and (iii) increase in resource recovery and overall profitability (economic). Geophysical methods could be used to determine the characteristics of the landfilled waste and subsurface structures without the need of an invasive exploration, which could greatly reduce exploration costs and time, as well as be useful to develop a procedure to either discard or select the most appropriate sites for (E)LFM. Material and energy recovery from land-filled waste can be achieved through mechanical processing coupled with thermochemical valorization technologies and residues upcycling techniques. Gasification could enable the upcycling of residues after thermal treatment into a new range of eco-friendly construction materials based on inorganic polymers and glass-ceramics. The multi-criteria assessment is directly influenced by waste- and technology related factors, which together with site-specific conditions, market and regulatory aspects, influence the environmental, economic and societal impacts of (E)LFM projects.  
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  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000504065300012 Publication Date 2019-12-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited 1 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; This research has been funded by the European Union ' s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 721185 “NEW-MINE” (EU Training Network for Resource Recovery through Enhanced Landfill Mining; www.new-mine.eu). ; Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165759 Serial 6219  
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Author Van Meensel, J.; Lauwers, L.; Van Huylenbroeck, G.; Van Passel, S. doi  openurl
  Title Comparing frontier methods for economic-environmental trade-off analysis Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2010 Publication European Journal Of Operational Research Abbreviated Journal Eur J Oper Res  
  Volume 207 Issue 2 Pages 1027-1040  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics  
  Abstract This paper uses a mechanistic frontier approach as a reference to evaluate the ability of conventional parametric (SFA) and non-parametric (DEA) frontier approaches for analyzing economicenvironmental trade-offs. Conventional frontier approaches are environmentally adjusted through incorporating the materials balance principle. The analysis is worked out for the Flemish pig finishing case, which is both representative and didactic. Results show that, on average, SFA and DEA yield adequate economicenvironmental trade-offs. Both methods are good estimators for technical efficiency. Cost allocative and environmental allocative efficiency scores are less robust, due to the well-known methodological advantages and disadvantages of SFA and DEA. For particular firms, SFA, DEA and the mechanistic approach may yield different economicenvironmental trade-offs. One has therefore to be careful when using conventional frontier approaches for firm-specific decision support. The mechanistic approach allows for optimizing performances per average present finisher, which is the production unit in pig finishing. Conventional frontier methods do not allow for this optimization since the number of average present finishers varies along the production functions. Since the mechanistic production function is based on underlying growth, feed uptake and mortality functions, additional firm-specific indicators can also be calculated at each point of the production function.  
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  Language Wos 000281107200045 Publication Date 2010-05-25  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0377-2217 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.297 Times cited 18 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; This research is funded by the Institute for the Promotion of Innovation by Science and Technology in Flanders (IWT Vlaanderen). ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.297; 2010 IF: 2.159  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:136761 Serial 6171  
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Author de Mey, Y.; Wauters, E.; Schmid, D.; Lips, M.; Vancauteren, M.; Van Passel, S. doi  openurl
  Title Farm household risk balancing : empirical evidence from Switzerland Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication European Review Of Agricultural Economics Abbreviated Journal Eur Rev Agric Econ  
  Volume 43 Issue 4 Pages  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics  
  Abstract Empirical evidence on household risk balancing behaviour is presented by estimating a fixed effects seemingly unrelated regression model using Swiss Farm Accountancy Data Network data. We find that in response to changes in expected business risks, Swiss farm households not only make strategic farm financial risk decisions (original risk balancing), but also make strategic off-farm decisions (household risk balancing) by altering their share of off-farm income and relative consumption. Small farms appear to make more use of household risk balancing strategies whereas large farms conversely make more use of the original risk balancing strategy.  
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  Language Wos 000386026600005 Publication Date 2015-11-05  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0165-1587; 1464-3618 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 1.6 Times cited 15 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; This research was funded by a scholarship from the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology (IWT) in Flanders. The authors are very grateful to Ludwig Lauwers and Frankwin van Winsen for many helpful discussions. They also thank the editor and two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments and conference/workshop participants from ART, BAAE, EAAE, KU Leuven and WUR for excellent comments on earlier versions of the article. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Agroscope Institute for Sustainability Sciences ISS. ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.6  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:138183 Serial 6202  
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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. doi  openurl
  Title Safe use of metal-contaminated agricultural land by cultivation of energy maize (Zea mays) Type A1 Journal article
  Year 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 (up) ; 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 Biely, K.; Mathijs, E.; Van Passel, S. doi  openurl
  Title Causal loop diagrams to systematically analyze market power in the Belgian sugar value chain Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication AIMS Agriculture and Food Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 4 Issue 3 Pages 711-730  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract It has been acknowledged that power is a fundamental aspect that needs to be considered when performing a value chain analysis. The structure of the value chain is indicative of the power distribution along the chain. By employing systems thinking the structure of the value chain can be further investigated and inferences on market power issues can be made. This novel approach connects value chain research with insights from Industrial Organization (IO) literature. Depending on the case, market power may not be measurable by traditional economic tools. Systems thinking offers an alternative tool, allowing the employment of qualitative and quantitative data, overcoming drawbacks of IO methods and providing more depth to value chain analysis. In this paper the valuable contribution of systems thinking to market power analysis is exemplified by the Belgian sugar beet case. The analysis showed that transportability and perishability of sugar beet are key causes of market failure in the Belgian sugar value chain. Systems thinking can support understanding potential future behavior of the market based on the thorough understanding of the current market structure. We illustrate how to integrate factors determining the market structure into causal loop diagrams. This novel approach allows a comprehensive evaluation and thus opens up market power analysis to interdisciplinary research.  
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  Language Wos 000488251600014 Publication Date 2019-08-09  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2471-2086 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; This research was performed within the frame of the EU's HORIZON 2020 project SUFISA with the grant agreement number 635577. The authors want to thank colleagues from the SUFISA project for stimulating and inspiring discussions on this topic. ; Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:163833 Serial 6165  
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Author Creemers, S.; Van Passel, S.; Vigani, M.; Vlahos, G. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Relationship between farmers' perception of sustainability and future farming strategies : a commodity-level comparison Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication AIMS Agriculture and Food Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 4 Issue 3 Pages 613-642  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract The environmental challenges have become increasingly integrated into the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The Europe 2020 CAP Framework defines new rules for farmers and targets on innovation, resource efficiency, economic viability, and environmental sustainability. Given the continual evolution of the CAP, it is relevant to focus on sustainable agriculture and which indicators can be employed to aid our understanding of the future farming strategies. This study examines the relationship between perceived sustainability and future farming strategies for three different commodities: sugar beet, dairy, and feta cheese. Survey data collected between 2017-2018 from 191 Belgian sugar beet farmers, 524 dairy farmers (from UK, Denmark, France, and Latvia), and 150 Greek sheep and goat farmers producing milk for feta cheese were analysed using multinomial logistic regressions. Our results show that the farmers' attitude towards sustainability affects intentions to implement specific farming strategies. Belgian sugar beet farmers who perceive their supply chain arrangements (SCAs) environmentally sustainable are less likely to reduce the scale of their farms' operations rather than to maintain them. Dairy farmers are more likely to change the existing scale than to maintain scale if they perceive that production choices affect environmental sustainability to a higher extent. Dairy farmers who perceive their SCAs economically sustainable are less likely to abandon farming. Greek sheep and goat farmers who perceive their SCAs economically sustainable are more likely to expand the existing scale. The observed differences at commodity-level show the importance of well targeted policy measures towards more sustainable farming systems in the European Union.  
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  Language Wos 000488251600009 Publication Date 2019-08-08  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2471-2086 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited 1 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; This research was performed within the frame of the EU's HORIZON 2020 project SUFISA with the grant agreement number 635577. The authors want to thank colleagues from the SUFISA project for stimulating and inspiring discussions on this topic. In particular we would like to thank all the participants of the 2019 SUFISA final conference at the Jagiellonian University of Krakow for fruitful discussions. ; Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:163832 Serial 6242  
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Author Biely, K.; Maes, D.; Van Passel, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Market power extended : from Foucault to Meadows Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2018 Publication Sustainability Abbreviated Journal Sustainability-Basel  
  Volume 10 Issue 8 Pages 2843-23  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Market power is a complex matter that is approximated with quantitative indicators within economics. However, these indicators may not fully capture market power, or they may fail to identify it, although it may be present. Moreover, a quantitative approach restricts market power as a concept, impeding the ability to discuss its relationship with other concepts, such as sustainability. This paper extends the definition of market power, following Foucaults understanding of power and the associated theoretical discussions of power from different disciplines. We extended Foucaults work by including systems thinking to capture the importance of the prevalent systems paradigm, which is the ultimate initiator of action. Apart from distinguishing different elements of power, we also integrate an instrumental view on the elements of power. The developed frame allows us to understand the dynamic character of power as a force that strives to maintain or ameliorate the position of the paradigm that it serves. Based on this frame, we outline how this extended understanding of power can be used to analyze market power itself, and its relation with sustainability.  
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  Language Wos 000446767700259 Publication Date 2018-08-10  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2071-1050 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 1.789 Times cited 1 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; This research was performed within the frame of the HORIZON 2020 project SUFISA with the grant agreement number 635577. ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.789  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:154139 Serial 6224  
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Author Adane, Y.G.; Engida, T.G.; Asfaw, Y.A.; Azadi, H.; Van Passel, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Determinants of internal governance quality : evidence from corporations in Ethiopia Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2018 Publication Cogent economics & finance Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 6 Issue 1 Pages 1537051-17  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract The study analysed the factors that affect the internal governance quality of corporations in Ethiopia. It performed an ordered logistic regression analysis on a randomly selected sample of 76 corporations to analyse the effect of the ownership structure, form of ownership (private or government), leverage, corporate size, and sales growth on the internal governance quality score (IGQS). The governance quality score was measured using 20 indices categorized into four perspectives: disclosure, board characteristics, ethics, and shareholder rights. In this study, a significant positive effect of the corporate size and sales growth on the IGQS was found. In addition, government-owned corporations were found to perform better than privately owned corporations. It is recommended that appropriate authorities and officials should encourage the use of the corporate governance system in privately owned corporations and the convergence of internal governance quality of the two groups of corporations to the highest level.  
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  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000453818600001 Publication Date 2018-10-31  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2332-2039 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; This study has been funded by Mekelle University. ; Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:156222 Serial 6176  
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Author Esguerra, J.L.; Krook, J.; Svensson, N.; Van Passel, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Assessing the economic potential of landfill mining : review and recommendations Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication Detritus Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume Volume 08 - December 2019 Issue Volume 08 - December 2019 Pages 1  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract As landfill mining (LFM) gains public attention, systematic assessment of its economic potential is deemed necessary. The aim of this review is to critically analyze the usefulness and validity of previous economic assessments of LFM. Following the life cycle costing (LCC) framework, (i) the employed methods based on goal and scope, technical parameters and data inventory, and modelling choices were contrasted with respect to (ii) the synthesized main findings based on net profitability and economic performance drivers. Results showed that the selected studies (n=15) are mostly case study-specific and concluded that LFM has a weak economic potential, hinting at the importance of favorable market and regulation settings. However, several method issues are apparent as costs and revenues are accounted at different levels of aggregation, scope and scale-from process to sub-process level, from private to societal economics, and from laboratory to pilot-scale, respectively. Moreover, despite the inherent large uncertainties, more than half of the studies did not perform any uncertainty or sensitivity analyses posing validity issues. Consequently, this also limits the usefulness of results as individual case studies and as a collective, towards a generic understanding of LFM economics. Irrespective of case study-specific or generic aims, this review recommends that future assessments should be learning-oriented. That is, uncovering granular information about what builds up the net profitability of LFM, to be able to systematically determine promising paths for the development of cost-efficient projects.  
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  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000504065300011 Publication Date 2019-12-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; This study has received funding from the European Training Network for Resource Recovery Through Enhanced Landfill Mining (NEW-MINE, Grant Agreement No 721185) under the European Union's EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation Horizon 2020. ; Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:165758 Serial 6153  
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Author Annys, S.; Adgo, E.; Ghebreyohannes, T.; Van Passel, S.; Dessein, J.; Nyssen, J. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Impacts of the hydropower-controlled Tana-Beles interbasin water transfer on downstream rural livelihoods (northwest Ethiopia) Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication Journal Of Hydrology Abbreviated Journal J Hydrol  
  Volume 569 Issue 569 Pages 436-448  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Despite public awareness of unintended impacts (1980s) and well-developed international standards (2000s), downstream impacts of large hydropower projects still very often are not properly assessed. Impacts of (hydropower-regulated) interbasin water transfers (IBWTs) are considered self-evidently positive, although they can have far-reaching consequences for hydrogeomorphological systems and consequently river-dependent communities. In this study, the downstream direct and indirect impacts of the Ethiopian hydropower-regulated Tana-Beles IBWT are evaluated in an interdisciplinary way. The components of the framework of rural livelihoods are considered and changing contexts, resources availabilities and livelihood strategies are analysed. Mixed methods are applied, combining hydrogeomorphological field observations, GIS analyses, scientific literature, policy documents, and semi-structured interviews with local people and local to federal authorities. Results show that the IBWT drastically increased the Beles rivers discharge (with an average release of +92 m3 s−1 at the outlet; *2 in rainy season and *12 in dry season 100 km downstream of the water release) and introduced dangerous situations for local communities (over 250 people drowned in the river). River bank erosion resulted in the uncompensated loss of farmland (163 ha) and the establishment of large-scale commercial farms increased the pressure on land and led to the impoverishment of displaced communities (4310 households). The project was implemented top-down, without any transparency, benefit sharing or compensation for external costs. This stresses the importance of downstream interdisciplinary impact assessments and highlights the need for decent in-depth ex post-analyses of hydropower projects. Environmental impact assessments should be taken seriously and cannot be considered a formality. In Ethiopia and in many developing countries, the hydropower industry is booming. Although dams and IBWTs can be the best solution for water-related problems in specific contexts, national development goals (such as the expansion of the electricity network) should not be at the expense of rural livelihoods.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000457952900032 Publication Date 2018-12-15  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0022-1694 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.483 Times cited 2 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; This study was funded by the Flemish Research Foundation (FWO, Belgium), through project No. G022217N and a specific travel grant for a long stay abroad (No. V445417N). We acknowledge the cooperation with the Bahir Dar University VLIR-UOS IUC programme. All support given by Bahir Dar University has been greatly appreciated and many thanks go to Yonnas Shawul and Deribew Fenetie, for assisting and translating in the field. Staff of various ranks in administrative offices are thanked for their cooperation and mostly openness during interviews. Special thanks go to the local farmers and other rural dwellers, for their cooperation and contribution to this research. We thank the two anonymous reviewers for their constructive comments. ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.483  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:156935 Serial 6215  
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Author Srivastava, A.; Van Passel, S.; Laes, E. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Dissecting demand response : a quantile analysis of flexibility, household attitudes, and demographics Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication Energy Research and Social Science Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 52 Issue 52 Pages 169-180  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Demand response (DR) can aid with grid integration of renewables, ensuring security of supply, and reducing generation costs. However, not enough is known about how residential customers’ perceptions of DR shape their response to such programs. This paper offers a deeper understanding of – and reveals the heterogeneity in – this relationship by conducting a quantile regression analysis of a Belgian DR trial, combining data on response with information on household attitudes towards smart appliances. Results overall suggest that improving response requires subtle shifts in electricity consumption behaviour, which can be achieved through changes in user perceptions. Specifically, if customers are inclined to be flexible, a stronger perception of smart appliances as being beneficial can greatly improve response. With those who are less flexible, the cost of smart appliances is a bigger concern. Thus, when designing DR programs, policymakers should aim to promote modest behaviour changes – so as to minimise inconvenience – in customers, by improving awareness on the benefits of smart appliances. Uptake of such DR programs may be improved by explaining the financial benefits or offering incentives to less flexible population segments. Lastly, improving response among older population segments will require a deeper investigation into their concerns.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000468215900016 Publication Date 2019-03-04  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2214-6296 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited 1 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; This work continued on the results and data of the project Linear that was supported by the Flemish Ministry of Science and organised by the Institute for Science and Technology (IWT). The authors gratefully acknowledge the support extended by Wim Cardinaels at VITO in helping them access the underlying Linear data. ; Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:158910 Serial 6183  
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Author van Winsen, F.; de Mey, Y.; Lauwers, L.; Van Passel, S.; Vancauteren, M.; Wauters, E. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Determinants of risk behaviour : effects of perceived risks and risk attitude on farmer's adoption of risk management strategies Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Journal Of Risk Research Abbreviated Journal J Risk Res  
  Volume 19 Issue 1 Pages 56-78  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Sociology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract The importance of risk perception and risk attitude for understanding individual's risk behaviour are independently well described in literature, but rarely combined in an integrated approach. In this study, we propose a model assuming the choice to implement certain risk management strategies to be directly driven by both perceptions of risks and risk attitude. Other determinants influence the intention to apply different risk strategies mainly indirectly, mediated by risk perception and risk attitude. This conceptual model is empirically tested, using structural equation modelling, for understanding the intention of farmers to implement different common risk management strategies at their farms. Data are gathered in a survey completed by 500 farmers from the Flanders region in Belgium, investigating attitudes towards farming, perceived past exposure to risk, socio-demographic characteristics, farm size, perceptions of the major sources of farm business risk, risk attitudes and the intention to apply common risk management strategies. Our major findings are: (i) perception of major farm business risks have no significant impact on the intention of applying any of the risk strategies under study, (ii) risk attitude does have a significant impact. Therefore, rather than objective risk faced and the subjective interpretation thereof, it is the general risk attitude that influence intended risk strategies to be implemented. A distinction can be made between farmers willing to take risk, who are more inclined to apply ex-ante risk management strategies and risk averse farmers who are less inclined to implement ex-ante risk management strategies but rather cope with the consequences and diminish their effects ex-post when risks have occurred.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000365523100004 Publication Date 2014-07-24  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1366-9877 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 1.34 Times cited 25 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; This work was supported by the agency for Innovation by Science and Technology [grant number 080508]. ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.34  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:130188 Serial 6177  
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Author Van Dael, M.; Lizin, S.; Swinnen, G.; Van Passel, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Young people's acceptance of bioenergy and the influence of attitude strength on information provision Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2017 Publication Renewable Energy Abbreviated Journal Renew Energ  
  Volume 107 Issue Pages 417-430  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract This study investigated the effects of using a standardized PowerPoint lecture to provide young people with nuanced information about bioenergy. The studys aim was to understand the relationship between knowledge and participants perception of bioenergy, and the relationship of the latter to participants attitude strength and intention to use and learn about bioenergy. Data were collected from 715 participants using a survey instrument that contained mainly Likert-scale questions. Data were then processed using partial least squares structural equation modelling. Results show that providing such information increases knowledge about bioenergy, but does relatively little to create a more positive perception of bioenergy. In turn, having a more positive view about bioenergy would lead to a higher intention to use bioenergy. Attitude strength was found to mediate the previous relationship and decreases the strength of the relationship between perception and intention to use. Results also show that the lecture weakly contributed to building attitude strength, rendering opinion change less likely in the future. We conclude that listening to a lecture on bioenergy slightly improves peoples perception of bioenergy, makes it more likely that people maintain such a disposition, and translates into a slightly higher intention to use bioenergy.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000396946900036 Publication Date 2017-02-08  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0960-1481 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.357 Times cited 10 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; This work was supported by the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO; grant number 12G5415N). The authors gratefully acknowledge Sara Leroi-Werelds (Hasselt University) for her valuable comments. ; Approved Most recent IF: 4.357  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:140683 Serial 6280  
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Author Peeters, M.; Compernolle, T.; Van Passel, S. url  doi
openurl 
  Title Simulation of a controlled water heating system with demand response remunerated on imbalance market pricing Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2020 Publication Journal of building engineering Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 27 Issue 27 Pages 100969  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Buildings are responsible for 40% of our worldwide energy consumption and 50% of this energy is converted for Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems in buildings. The increasing share of renewable energy production required to make the transition towards a carbon neutral energy system challenges the stability of the grid. Through demand response it becomes possible to activate these systems in support of grid balancing. However, this flexibility is currently not rewarded in the market. We simulate a domestic water heater participating in the balancing of the electricity net and calculated the revenue from this action. We simulate a water heater in connection with an Economic Model Predictive Controller (EMPC) which takes future usage, energy cost, and reward for delivering balanced power into account. We show that the choice of an EMPC controller is valid as it allows the setpoint to change if certain conditions are met, leading to a more optimal revenue stream from selling flexibility. We find that the economic benefits of participating in delivering balancing power is considerable and offset an increase in energy costs. The increase in energy consumption could be justified as the participation in net stabilisation allows the macro-system to integrate more renewable energy sources. More importantly, the simulations also show that the poorer the energy performance of the water heater, the more flexibility can be sold. From a policy point of view, a minimal energy performance should be determined before allowing participation in net stabilisation.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000502361000075 Publication Date 2019-09-27  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; Tine Compernolle thanks the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) for funding her postdoctoral mandate [grant number 12M7417N]. ; Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:164236 Serial 6248  
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Author Gezahegn, T.W.; Van Passel, S.; Berhanu, T.; D'Haese, M.; Maertens, M. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Big is efficient : evidence from agricultural cooperatives in Ethiopia Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication Agricultural Economics Abbreviated Journal Agr Econ-Blackwell  
  Volume 50 Issue 50 Pages 555-566  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract In Ethiopia, there is a renewed interest in agricultural cooperatives as an institutional tool to improve the welfare of smallholder farmers. One of the pathways through which cooperatives benefit their members is scale economies. However, the establishment of cooperatives in Ethiopia seems to pay little attention to the size of the organizations. This article aims at investigating the effect of size on cost efficiency of agricultural cooperatives. More specifically, the purpose is to examine whether a single cooperative can serve a given number of farmers at a lower cost than two or more smaller cooperatives could. We employ the concept of cost subadditivity to compare the cost efficiency of large versus small cooperatives, and by extension unilateral actions. We estimate a flexible production technology using cross-sectional cooperative-level data. Findings show that costs would drop by 78% to 181% if farmers join hands in relatively large rather than small cooperatives.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000480797700001 Publication Date 2019-08-01  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0169-5150 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor 1.758 Times cited Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; VLIR-UOS-ZEIN2015PR406 (13V95615T) PROGRAMME(TEAM), Belgium ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.758  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:161812 Serial 6161  
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Author Vaitkeviciute, J.; Chakir, R.; Van Passel, S. doi  openurl
  Title Climate variable choice in Ricardian studies of European Agriculture Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2019 Publication Revue économique Abbreviated Journal  
  Volume 70 Issue 3 Pages 375-401  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract The Ricardian model has been employed frequently to study the impact of climate change on European agriculture. This paper contributes to this literature by using a panel data of FADN EU regions and the period 2004-2012 and by taking into account both individual heterogeneity as well as spatial autocorrelation among EU regions. We tested three hypotheses related to the degree days model. Our results show that climate outside the defined growing season matters for European agriculture, and excluding it could underestimate climate change impacts. Our results should support public policy decisions about efficient and effective mitigation and adaptation policy measures in EU agriculture.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000469914100005 Publication Date 2019-05-23  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0035-2764; 1950-6694 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record  
  Impact Factor Times cited Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; We thank the two anonymous referees and the editors of the Revue economique for their useful comments which have helped us to improve the paper significantly. The usual disclaimers apply. The research leading to these results received funding from the European Union within the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme in the frame of RURAGRI ERA-NET under Grant Agreement 235175 TRUSTEE (ANR-13-RURA-0001-01) and from the Agence Nationale de la Recherche within STIMUL (Scenarios Towards integrating multi-scale land use tools) flagship project as part of the “Investissements d'Avenir” Programme (LabEx BASC; ANR-11-LABX-0034). This work was also supported by the metaprogramme Adaptation of Agriculture and Forest to Climate Change (AAFCC) of the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA). Neither the French Agence Nationale de la Recherche nor the European Union or European Commission organization is accountable for the content of this research. The authors are solely responsible for any omissions or deficiencies. ; Approved Most recent IF: NA  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:160346 Serial 6167  
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Author Ang, F.; Van Passel, S. doi  openurl
  Title Beyond the environmentalist's paradox and the debate on weak versus strong sustainability Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2012 Publication Bioscience Abbreviated Journal Bioscience  
  Volume 62 Issue 3 Pages 251-259  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Environmentalists generally argue that ecological damage will (eventually) lead to declines in human well-being. From this perspective, the recent introduction of the “environmentalist's paradox” in BioScience by Raudsepp-Hearne and colleagues (2010) is particularly significant. In essence, Raudsepp-Hearne and colleagues (2010) claimed that although ecosystem services have been degraded, human well-being-paradoxically-has increased. In this article, we show that this debate is in fact rooted in a broader discussion on weak sustainability versus strong sustainability (the substitutability of human-made capital for natural capital). We warn against the reductive nature of focusing only on a stock flow framework in which a natural-capital stock produces ecosystem services. Concretely, we recommend a holistic approach in which the complexity, irreversibility, uncertainty, and ethical predicaments intrinsic to the natural environment and its connections to humanity are also considered.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000301561900008 Publication Date 2012-03-07  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0006-3568 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 5.378 Times cited 17 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; We thank three anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments. This aiticle has benefited considerably from interesting discussions (especially with Liesbet Vranken) at the 13th Belgian PhD Symposium of Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics, Brussels, on 27 April 2011. We are grateful for the financial support of the European Fund for Regional Development project 475, Closing the Circle. ; Approved Most recent IF: 5.378; 2012 IF: 4.739  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:127559 Serial 6160  
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Author Merante, P.; Van Passel, S.; Pacini, C. doi  openurl
  Title Using agro-environmental models to design a sustainable benchmark for the sustainable value method Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2015 Publication Agricultural Systems Abbreviated Journal Agr Syst  
  Volume 136 Issue Pages 1-13  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Farms contribute heavily to overall sustainability. To date, various frameworks, approaches, methods and indicators have been developed to appraise how much corporations (firms, farms) contribute to sustainability. Among these, the Sustainable Value (SV) method helps to determine by which economic entity resources should be used in order to achieve the highest contributions to sustainability, by comparing company's efficiency of capital use against the efficiency of a benchmark. In this work we argue that the SV benchmark does not include certain crucial environmental concepts, such as the carrying capacity of an ecosystem or the multiple vital functions provided by ecosystem services. Thus, it is not a suitable reference for companies to evaluate their contribution to sustainability. As an alternative benchmark to standard SV applications, we propose a farm whose resource use productivity is correlated to the fulfilment of pre-determined environmental constraints: the Environmentally Sustainable Farm (ESF). To design this farm, we created an agro-environmental farm modelling framework that includes: (i) methods and approaches to assess indicators concerning specific environmental issues; (ii) an integrated ecological-economic model based on linear programming. This farm modelling framework is employed to determine both the environmental performance and the economic returns of two farming systems, conventional (CFS) and organic (OFS), which are compared using the Sustainable Value approach. Despite the fact that the OFS environmentally outperforms the CFS, none of them reaches the sustainable performances achieved by the ESF, both performing a negative Sustainable Value. The environmental constraints forced the ESF towards management choices that, although decreasing the economic performance, increase its environmental sustainability behaviour. Hence, the ESF is a viable benchmark that can be used to evaluate llllfarms' environmental sustainability. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000354503000001 Publication Date 2015-02-25  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0308-521x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.571 Times cited 6 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; We wish to thank all participants to the SVAPPAS project for their inspiring contributions and challenging debates. Furthermore, we are grateful to the financial support from the 6th Framework Programme of the EU (project code: SSPECT – 2006 – DG AGRI). The authors thank the technicians Giovanna Casella and Roberto Vivoli (University of Florence) for their technical contribution. ; Approved Most recent IF: 2.571; 2015 IF: 2.906  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:127536 Serial 6275  
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Author Pacini, G.C.; Merante, P.; Lazzerini, G.; Van Passel, S. doi  openurl
  Title Increasing the cost-effectiveness of EU agri-environment policy measures through evaluation of farm and field-level environmental and economic performance Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2015 Publication Agricultural Systems Abbreviated Journal Agr Syst  
  Volume 136 Issue Pages 70-78  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract A lot of attention in the debate on the 2014-2020 programming period of the EU CAP and rural development policy revolves around the policy's contribution to enhancing resource use efficiency, decreasing environmental impact, restoring ecosystems and how to ensure more efficient and effective agrienvironmental measures (AEMs). Nevertheless, studies that simultaneously address multiple measures with multiple environmental objectives and targets are underrepresented in the scientific literature. The objectives of the present article are (i) to present an integrated tool-kit for AEM design resulting from the combination of farm modelling with the Sustainable Value Approach (SVA), and (ii) to evaluate the potential of the tool-kit to support AEM design through an application to estimate cost-effective organic agriculture payments for the dairy sector in Mugello, northern Tuscany. Sustainability assessment of organic and conventional farming systems (OFS and CFS, respectively.) under the 2007-2013 EU CAP support schemes and a no EU support scenario show better OFS performances regarding nitrogen leaching (-52% and -47% under the current CAP and the no EU support scenarios, respectively), soil erosion (-24% and -34%), potential pesticide risks (-100%), biodiversity (+13% and +30%). Income foregone for the production of environmental benefits from organic agriculture under a no EU support scenario is equal to 210 Euro/ha. Sustainable value calculations combined with modelling results indicate soil erosion and nitrogen leaching as the environmental processes to be addressed with specific policy measures to further increase the efficiency of organic farming. A new organic agriculture support scheme designed based on such indications further increases the OFS SV and almost closes the GAP with a benchmark farm of the area, featured with ideal performances in terms of environmental and economic indicators. The payment scheme we designed with the support of the integrated tool-kit shows to be more cost-effective and efficient of current AEMs. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000354503000007 Publication Date 2015-03-18  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0308-521x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.571 Times cited 12 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; We wish to thank all participants to the SVAPPAS project for their inspiring contributions and challenging debates. We are furthermore grateful to the financial support from the 6th Framework Programme of the EU (project code: SSPECT – 2006 – DG AGRI). The authors are most grateful to technicians Giovanna Casella and Roberto Vivoli (University of Florence) for their technical contribution. ; Approved Most recent IF: 2.571; 2015 IF: 2.906  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:127537 Serial 6216  
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Author van Winsen, F.; de Mey, Y.; Lauwers, L.; Van Passel, S.; Vancauteren, M.; Wauters, E. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Cognitive mapping : a method to elucidate and present farmers' risk perception Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2013 Publication Agricultural Systems Abbreviated Journal Agr Syst  
  Volume 122 Issue Pages 42-52  
  Keywords A1 Journal article  
  Abstract Assumptions on the perceptions of risks, made in agricultural economics literature, are recognized to be over-simplistic. For example most studies assume that risks are independent and static, while in reality most risks are interlinked and dynamic. We propose an alternative method to identify and present risk perception, closer to the actual comprehension of risk by farmers. Grounded theory is used to investigate the perceptions of risk by farmers while avoiding prior assumptions. Main findings are: (i) farmers have difficulty to rank or score probability and impact of risks in a (semi)quantitative manner; (ii) farmers attach different meanings to risk, when the focus shifts between, uncertain event, probability or value at stake and; (iii) farmers perceive risks as being interrelated. Based on these findings, we propose that farmers' risk perception can be best understood as a network of interrelated notions of uncertain events, their effects and uncertain outcomes. Furthermore, cognitive mapping is suggested to elucidate and present these networks. We test cognitive mapping, exploring dairy farmers' risk perception, and demonstrate the appropriateness of this methodology for capturing the complexity and context of perceived risk. Advantages are: (i) the qualitative approach, (ii) the focus on interrelations and context, (iii) the applicability at farm level, (iv) the farmer-driven rather than researcher-driven perspective, and (v) the elucidation of the polyvalent use of the risk concept. Cognitive maps can be used as a communication tool, a risk management tool, and a tool to stimulate bi-directional learning amongst farmers, policy makers, researchers and extension agents. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000326910500005 Publication Date 2013-09-12  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0308-521x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.571 Times cited 27 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; We would like to acknowledge the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology of the Flemish Government (IWT) for funding this research. Furthermore we would like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their valuable input. ; Approved Most recent IF: 2.571; 2013 IF: 2.453  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:112765 Serial 6168  
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Author Thomassen, G.; Egiguren Vila, U.; Van Dael, M.; Lemmens, B.; Van Passel, S. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title A techno-economic assessment of an algal-based biorefinery Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Clean Technologies And Environmental Policy Abbreviated Journal Clean Technol Envir  
  Volume 18 Issue 6 Pages 1849-1862  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Economic and technological assessments have identified difficulties with the commercialization of bulk products from microalgae, like biofuels. To overcome these problems, a multi-product algal-based biorefinery has been proposed. This paper performs a techno-economic assessment of such a biorefinery. Four production pathways, ranging from a base case with commercial technologies to an improved case with innovative technologies, are analyzed. All region-specific parameters were adapted to Belgian conditions. Three scenarios result in techno-economically viable production plants. The most profitable scenario is the scenario which uses a specialized membrane for medium recycling and an open pond algae cultivation. Although the inclusion of a photobioreactor decreases the culture medium costs, the higher investment costs result in lower economic profits. The carotenoid content and price are identified as critical parameters. Furthermore, the economies of scale assumption for the photobioreactor is critical for the feasibility of this cultivation technology. The techno-economic assessment is an important methodology to guide and evaluate further improvements in research and shorten the time-to-market for innovative technologies in this field.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000384470700017 Publication Date 2016-03-26  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 1618-954x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 3.331 Times cited 24 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; We would like to thank Herman Beckers, Metin Bulut, Frans Snijkers, Joris van der Have, Jan Vanderheyden, Leen Bastiaens, and Lies Eykens for the provision of technological and economic data and the useful discussions on the assumptions in the model. We would also like to thank Eva Cordery for proofreading the article and the anonymous reviewers for their valuable feedback and suggestions. Furthermore, we gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Fundacion Novia Salcedo. ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.331  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:139027 Serial 6262  
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Author Jeanloz, S.; Lizin, S.; Beenaerts, N.; Brouwer, R.; Van Passel, S.; Witters, N. pdf  url
doi  openurl
  Title Towards a more structured selection process for attributes and levels in choice experiments : a study in a Belgian protected area Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Ecosystem Services Abbreviated Journal Ecosyst Serv  
  Volume 18 Issue Pages 45-57  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract The process of selecting attributes for inclusion in choice experiments frequently involves qualitative methods such as focus groups and interviews. In order for a choice experiment to be successful and the results to be valid, this qualitative selection process is essential. It often lacks rigour and is poorly described, particularly in environmental choice experiments. We propose a meticulous attribute and attribute-level selection process consisting of a scoring exercise and an interactive discussion. This paper provides a case study describing how attributes and attribute-levels were identified and selected for the National Park Hoge Kempen in Belgium. We carried out four focus groups and thirteen semi-structured interviews with various park stakeholders to select attributes from six categories: the four categories of ecosystem services (supporting, provisioning, regulating, cultural), infrastructure, and land use types. The top-ranked characteristics were nature conservation, natural forests, biodiversity refuge, wetlands, landscape variety, heathlands, air purification, and education. Both the scoring exercise and the interactive discussion contributed to the attributes selected for the CE. Following these, an ultimate expert consultation stage is recommended to approve both the attribute and attribute-level selection. The semi-qualitative protocol proposed in this paper can help practitioners and demonstrates how the results guide choice experiment design.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000375213800004 Publication Date 2016-02-17  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 2212-0416 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 4.072 Times cited 10 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; We would like to thank study informants, focus group participants and interviewees, as well as Tom Kuppens, Silvie Daniels, Janka Vanschoenwinkel and Michele Moretti of the Environmental Economics Research group of Hasselt University. Johan Van den Bosch, project leader at Regional Landschap Kempen en Maasland (RLKM), and Rolinde Demeyer from the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO) have provided this study with valuable assistance and comments. Sarah Jeanloz was funded by the INTERREG IVB NEW program (Grant no. D1941/ 56200), Nele Witters (Grant no. 12B2913N) and Sebastien Lizin (Grant no. 12G5415N) are funded by Research Foundation- Flanders (FWD). Finally, we thank all reviewers for their constructive and insightful comments, and for their time. ; Approved Most recent IF: 4.072  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:134332 Serial 6272  
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Author Van Dael, M.; Van Passel, S.; Pelkmans, L.; Guisson, R.; Reumermann, P.; Luzardo, N.M.; Witters, N.; Broeze, J. doi  openurl
  Title A techno-economic evaluation of a biomass energy conversion park Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2013 Publication Applied Energy Abbreviated Journal Appl Energ  
  Volume 104 Issue Pages 611-622  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Biomass as a renewable energy source has many advantages and is therefore recognized as one of the main renewable energy sources to be deployed in order to attain the target of 20% renewable energy use of final energy consumption by 2020 in Europe. In this paper the concept of a biomass Energy Conversion Park (ECP) is introduced. A biomass ECP can be defined as a synergetic, multi-dimensional biomass conversion site with a highly integrated set of conversion technologies in which a multitude of regionally available biomass (residue) sources are converted into energy and materials. A techno-economic assessment is performed on a case study in the Netherlands to illustrate the concept and to comparatively assess the highly integrated system with two mono-dimensional models. The three evaluated models consist of (1) digestion of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste, (2) co-digestion of manure and co-substrates, and (3) integration. From a socio-economic point of view it can be concluded that it is economically and energetically more interesting to invest in the integrated model than in two separate models. The integration is economically feasible and environmental benefits can be realized. For example, the integrated model allows the implementation of a co-digester. Unmanaged manure would otherwise represent a constant pollution risk. However, from an investor's standpoint one should firstly invest in the municipal solid waste digester since the net present value (NPV) of this mono-dimensional model is higher than that of the multi-dimensional model. A sensitivity analysis is performed to identify the most influencing parameters. Our results are of interest for companies involved in the conversion of biomass. The conclusions are useful for policy makers when deciding on policy instruments concerning manure processing or biogas production. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000316152700062 Publication Date 2012-12-25  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0306-2619 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 7.182 Times cited 45 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; We would like to thank the editor and the anonymous referees for their helpful suggestions and insightful comments that have significantly improved the paper. Furthermore, the authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support from INTERREG and the province of Limburg (Belgium). Also, we would like to thank all remaining partners of the ECP project (Eloi Schreurs, Dries Maes, Kristian Coppoolse, Han ten Berge, Bert Annevelink, Nathalie Devriendt, Erwin Cornelissen, Hannes Pieper, Pieter Vollaard, Jan Venselaar, and Hessel Abbink Spaink) for their support and contributions. Finally, we would like to express our gratitude towards the organization of the eighth International Conference on Renewable Resources and Biorefineries in Toulouse (France) for giving us the opportunity to present and thereby fine-tune our work. ; Approved Most recent IF: 7.182; 2013 IF: 5.261  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:127552 Serial 6145  
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Author Maes, D.; Van Dael, M.; Vanheusden, B.; Goovaerts, L.; Reumerman, P.; Luzardo, N.M.; Van Passel, S. doi  openurl
  Title Assessment of the sustainability guidelines of EU Renewable Energy Directive : the case of biorefineries Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2015 Publication Journal Of Cleaner Production Abbreviated Journal J Clean Prod  
  Volume 88 Issue Pages 61-70  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Sustainability guidelines can help to safeguard the sustainable use of biological materials. When these guidelines are legally prescribed, their influence on the economic viability of bioenergy, biofuel and bioliquid projects is increased substantially, through their impact on national subsidy regimes and international trade. One of the key examples is the European directive 2009/28/EC, or the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), and the related COM/2010/11 that integrate guidelines for calculating greenhouse gas impact for various bioenergy pathways. This paper looks further into the sustainability results when influenced by principal decisions that are legally open for debate. Therefore, a concise review is conducted of the legal state-of-the-art on whether a product is waste or not. The review pinpoints uncertainty, leading to four potential legal scenarios. The sustainability of a complex biorefinery is analysed for each scenario. The results show (i) a high sensitivity to the principal decisions on the nature of waste materials in the scenarios, and (ii) to the definition of boundaries between the processes. More detailed rules for the application of the RED guidelines are needed, and should be complemented with methods specifically targeting all relevant sustainability aspects, thereby enhancing the overall understanding of the sustainability of the process. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000347771100007 Publication Date 2014-04-30  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0959-6526 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 5.715 Times cited 25 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; We would like to thank the editor and the anonymous referees for their helpful suggestions and insightful comments that have significantly improved the paper. The 'Energy Conversion Parks' (ECP) project is funded as Project nr IVA-VLANED-2.39 by the Interreg IVa-Flanders-Netherlands program from the European Fund for Regional Development that stimulates cross border projects. Also the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Flemish Government, the Provinces of Noord-Brabant (NL), Zeeland (NL), Limburg (BE) and the partners (VITO, Avans University of Applied Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Hasselt University, and Zeeland University of Applied Sciences) themselves are co-financing the project. Finally, we would like to express our gratitude towards the organization of the eighth Conference on Sustainable Development of Energy, Water and Environment systems in Dubrovnik (Croatia) for giving us the opportunity to present and thereby fine-tune our work. ; Approved Most recent IF: 5.715; 2015 IF: 3.844  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:127538 Serial 6157  
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Author Moretti, M.; De Boni, A.; Roma, R.; Fracchiolla, M.; Van Passel, S. pdf  doi
openurl 
  Title Integrated assessment of agro-ecological systems : the case study of the “Alta Murgia” National park in Italy Type A1 Journal article
  Year 2016 Publication Agricultural Systems Abbreviated Journal Agr Syst  
  Volume 144 Issue Pages 144-155  
  Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)  
  Abstract Several indicators and methods are already applied for sustainability assessment in agriculture. The links between sustainability indicators, agricultural management and policies are not well explained. The aim of this study is to combine biophysical and monetary sustainability assessment tools to support agriculture policy decision-making. Three methodological steps are considered: i) the environmental impacts of farms are assessed using terrestrial acidification, freshwater eutrophication, soil and freshwater ecotoxicity as well as natural land transformation; ii) the most relevant indicators of agriculture damages on ecosystems quality are aggregated into an index; iii) the farms' index scores are integrated with farm assets, land and labor, into the Sustainable Value approach (SVA), as indicator of natural resources used by farms. As a case study, the methodology was applied to arable farms with and without animal husbandry of the “Alta Murgia” National Park. The crop farms, in our sample, have a higher sustainable value using their economic and environmental resources. Mixed farms need to improve their resources use efficiency. Although crop farms have lower land-use efficiency compared to mixed farms, our results suggest supporting, by means of policy options, the specialized crop farms that, on average, perform better in terms of ecosystems quality preservation. Finally, we find that Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to soundly measure the environmental impacts clearly enriches the SVA. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.  
  Address  
  Corporate Author Thesis  
  Publisher Place of Publication Editor  
  Language Wos 000373553100014 Publication Date 2016-02-27  
  Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title  
  Series Volume Series Issue Edition  
  ISSN 0308-521x ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles  
  Impact Factor 2.571 Times cited 6 Open Access  
  Notes (up) ; We would like to thank the editor and the anonymous referees for their helpful suggestions and insightful comments that have significantly improved the paper. The authors want to thank the “Alta Murgia” Park Authority for the support in this study and all farmers that collaborated with the authors providing data. Moreover, the authors want to thank Dr. Sylvestre Njakou Djomo for the useful discussion and suggestion to build the LCA model. ; Approved Most recent IF: 2.571  
  Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:133254 Serial 6218  
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