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Coupled economic-ecological systems with slow and fast dynamics -- Modelling and analysis method

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  • Crépin, Anne-Sophie
  • Norberg, Jon
  • Mäler, Karl-Göran

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to contribute to the exploration of non-convex dynamics in coupled human-nature systems. We study welfare issues associated with the management of a human-nature complex adaptive system with a threshold and a stochastic driver. We exemplify with a specific system where we link changes in the number and diversity of birds to the abundance of a pest (insects) that causes damages to goods and services valuable to human beings. We present a method that simplifies the analysis and helps us discuss different management models that combine direct and indirect controls of the pest. This allows us to show that 1) the choice of control method depends in a highly non-linear way on biodiversity characteristics and 2) the socially optimal outcome may not be reachable using price instruments. Hence the price vs. quantity debate needs to be revisited using a complex adaptive system lens.

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  • Crépin, Anne-Sophie & Norberg, Jon & Mäler, Karl-Göran, 2011. "Coupled economic-ecological systems with slow and fast dynamics -- Modelling and analysis method," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(8), pages 1448-1458, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:70:y:2011:i:8:p:1448-1458
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    1. Giannis Vardas & Anastasios Xepapadeas, 2015. "Time Scale Externalities and the Management of Renewable Resources," Working Papers 2015.27, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    2. Liu, Shuang & Aurambout, Jean-Philippe & Villalta, Oscar & Edwards, Jacqueline & De Barro, Paul & Kriticos, Darren J. & Cook, David C., 2015. "A structured war-gaming framework for managing extreme risks," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 369-377.
    3. Ekerhovd, Nils-Arne & Kvamsdal, Sturla F., 2017. "Up the ante on bioeconomic submodels of marine food webs: A data assimilation-based approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C), pages 250-261.
    4. Giannis Vardas & Anastasios Xepapadeas, 2015. "Managing Interacting Populations under Time Scale Separation," DEOS Working Papers 1510, Athens University of Economics and Business.
    5. Crépin, Anne-Sophie & Biggs, Reinette & Polasky, Stephen & Troell, Max & de Zeeuw, Aart, 2012. "Regime shifts and management," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 15-22.
    6. Bediako, Kwabena & Nkuiya, Bruno, 2024. "Learning and uncertainty in spatial resource management," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 78(C).
    7. Nkuiya, Bruno & Diekert, Florian, 2023. "Stochastic growth and regime shift risk in renewable resource management," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).

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