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Differences and similarities between ecological and economic models for biodiversity conservation

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  • Drechsler, Martin
  • Grimma, Volker
  • Myšiak, Jaroslav
  • Wätzold, Frank

Abstract

In this paper we investigate an important obstacle which substantially complicates cooperation between ecologists and economists but which has received little attention so far: differences between the modelling approaches in economics and ecology. To understand these differences, 60 models addressing issues relevant to biodiversity conservation have been selected randomly from eight international economic and ecological journals. The models have been compared according to a number of criteria including the level of generality/universality the models aim at; the mathematical technique employed for formulation and solution of the model; the level of complexity and the way time, space and uncertainty are taken into account. The economic models sampled are formulated and analysed analytically, tend to be relatively simple and are generally used to investigate general questions. Furthermore, they often ignore space, dynamics and uncertainty. Although some ecological models have similar properties, there is also a substantial number of another type of ecological models that are relatively complex and analysed by simulation. These models tend to be rather specific and often explicitly consider dynamics, space and uncertainty. The integrated ecological-economic models are observed to lie 'in the middle' between ecological and economic models, an unexpected result being that they are not more complex than ecological and economic models (as one could have expected from a simple 'merger' of both modelling attitudes), but have an intermediate complexity.

Suggested Citation

  • Drechsler, Martin & Grimma, Volker & Myšiak, Jaroslav & Wätzold, Frank, 2005. "Differences and similarities between ecological and economic models for biodiversity conservation," UFZ Discussion Papers 5/2005, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ), Division of Social Sciences (ÖKUS).
  • Handle: RePEc:zbw:ufzdps:52005
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    Cited by:

    1. Taylor, Michael H. & Rollins, Kimberly, 2012. "Using Ecological Models to Coordinate Valuation of Ecological Change on Western Rangelands for ex post Application to Policy Analysis," Western Economics Forum, Western Agricultural Economics Association, vol. 11(1), pages 1-9.
    2. Alix-Garcia, Jennifer & Wolff, Hendrik, 2014. "Payment for Ecosystem Services from Forests," IZA Discussion Papers 8179, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Frédéric Barraquand & Vincent Martinet, 2009. "Agricultural land-use and biological conservation," EconomiX Working Papers 2009-18, University of Paris Nanterre, EconomiX.
    4. Stella Tsani & Phoebe Koundouri, 2017. "A methodological note for the development of integrated aquaculture production models," DEOS Working Papers 1708, Athens University of Economics and Business.
    5. Mouysset, L. & Doyen, L. & Jiguet, F. & Allaire, G. & Leger, F., 2011. "Bio economic modeling for a sustainable management of biodiversity in agricultural lands," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 70(4), pages 617-626, February.
    6. Drechsler, Martin & Wätzold, Frank & Grimm, Volker, 2022. "The hitchhiker's guide to generic ecological-economic modelling of land-use-based biodiversity conservation policies," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 465(C).
    7. Nobre, A.M. & Musango, J.K. & de Wit, M.P. & Ferreira, J.G., 2009. "A dynamic ecological-economic modeling approach for aquaculture management," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(12), pages 3007-3017, October.
    8. Hildebrandt, Patrick & Knoke, Thomas, 2011. "Investment decisions under uncertainty--A methodological review on forest science studies," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, January.
    9. Sonja S. Teelucksingh & Paulo A.L.D. Nunes, 2010. "Biodiversity Valuation in Developing Countries: A Focus on Small Island Developing States (SIDS)," Working Papers 2010.111, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ecological-economic modelling; modelling; biodiversity; conservation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • B40 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Economic Methodology - - - General
    • C60 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Mathematical Methods; Programming Models; Mathematical and Simulation Modeling - - - General
    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics

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