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A cost-benefit approach for prioritizing invasive species

Author

Listed:
  • Pierre Courtois

    (CEEM – INRA)

  • Charles Figuières

    (AMSE – Aix-Marseille University)

  • Chloé Mulier

    (Innovation)

  • Joakim Weill

    (Dept of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California, Davis)

Abstract

Biological invasions entail massive biodiversity losses and tremendous economic impacts that justify significant management efforts. Because the funds available to control biological invasions are limited, there is a need to identify priority species. This paper first reviews current invasive species prioritization methods and explicitly highlights their pitfalls. We then construct a cost-benefit optimization framework that incorporates species utility, ecological value, distinctiveness, and species interactions. This framework offers the theoretical foundations of a simple method for the management of multiple invasive species under a limited budget. We provide an algorithm to operationalize this framework and render explicit the assumptions required to satisfy the management objective.

Suggested Citation

  • Pierre Courtois & Charles Figuières & Chloé Mulier & Joakim Weill, 2017. "A cost-benefit approach for prioritizing invasive species," Working Papers 2017.29, FAERE - French Association of Environmental and Resource Economists.
    • Handle: RePEc:fae:wpaper:2017.29
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Courtois, Pierre & Figuières, Charles & Mulier, Chloe, 2019. "A Tale of Two Diversities," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 133-147.
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    Cited by:

    1. Courtois, Pierre & Figuières, Charles & Mulier, Chloe, 2019. "A Tale of Two Diversities," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 133-147.
    2. Albers, Heidi J. & Hall, Kim Meyer & Lee, Katherine D. & Taleghan, Majid Alkaee & Dietterich, Thomas G., 2018. "The Role of Restoration and Key Ecological Invasion Mechanisms in Optimal Spatial-Dynamic Management of Invasive Species," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 151(C), pages 44-54.
    3. Delgado Castillo, Ángela & van den Bergh, Jeroen C.J.M. & Savin, Ivan & Sarto i Monteys, Víctor, 2020. "Cost-benefit analysis of conservation policy: The red palm weevil in Catalonia, Spain," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Biological invasion; Prioritization; cost-benefit; optimization; Diversity;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q28 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Government Policy
    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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