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• 1. [Article] Aquaculture Certification and the Seafood Trade

  Abstract only.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Aquaculture Certification and the Seafood Trade Author: Lee, Daniel Abstract only. Title: Aquaculture Certification and the Seafood Trade Author: Lee, Daniel Abstract only. Close

• 2. [Article] Reducing energy inputs in Oregon vegetable production to enhance economic and environmental sustainability: A final report submitted to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission, 2009

  Energy input comparisons between tillage systems; evaluation of the value of legumes as part of a cover crop mixture used in strip-till sweet corn production; evaluation of the nitrogen contribution of ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Reducing energy inputs in Oregon vegetable production to enhance economic and environmental sustainability: A final report submitted to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission, 2009 Author: Luna, John M. Energy input comparisons between tillage systems; evaluation of the value of legumes as part of a cover crop mixture used in strip-till sweet corn production; evaluation of the nitrogen contribution of legume-based cover crops to organic vegetable production. Title: Reducing energy inputs in Oregon vegetable production to enhance economic and environmental sustainability: A final report submitted to the Oregon Processed Vegetable Commission, 2009 Author: Luna, John M. Energy input comparisons between tillage systems; evaluation of the value of legumes as part of a cover crop mixture used in strip-till sweet corn production; evaluation of the nitrogen contribution of legume-based cover crops to organic vegetable production. Close

• 3. [Article] Mapping Meaningful Places on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula: Toward a Deeper Understanding of Landscape Values

  Landscape values mapping has been widely employed as a form of public participation GIS (PPGIS) in natural resource planning and decision-making to capture the complex array of values, uses, and interactions ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Mapping Meaningful Places on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula: Toward a Deeper Understanding of Landscape Values Author: Cerveny, Lee, Biedenweg, Kelly, McLain, Rebecca J. Year: 2017 Landscape values mapping has been widely employed as a form of public participation GIS (PPGIS) in natural resource planning and decision-making to capture the complex array of values, uses, and interactions between people and landscapes. A landscape values typology has been commonly employed in the mapping of social and environmental values in a variety of management settings and scales. We explore how people attribute meanings and assign values to special places on the Olympic Peninsula (Washington, USA) using both a landscape values typology and qualitative responses about residents’ placerelationships. Using geographically referenced social values data collected in community meetings (n = 169), we identify high-frequency landscape values and examine how well the landscape values are reflected in open-ended descriptions of place-relations. We also explore the various interpretations of 14 landscape values used in the study. In particular, we investigate any overlapping meanings or blurriness among landscape values and reveal potentially emergent landscape values from the qualitative data. The results provide insights on the use of landscape values mapping typologies for practitioners and researchers engaged in the mapping of social values for PPGIS. Title: Mapping Meaningful Places on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula: Toward a Deeper Understanding of Landscape Values Author: Cerveny, Lee, Biedenweg, Kelly, McLain, Rebecca J. Year: 2017 Landscape values mapping has been widely employed as a form of public participation GIS (PPGIS) in natural resource planning and decision-making to capture the complex array of values, uses, and interactions between people and landscapes. A landscape values typology has been commonly employed in the mapping of social and environmental values in a variety of management settings and scales. We explore how people attribute meanings and assign values to special places on the Olympic Peninsula (Washington, USA) using both a landscape values typology and qualitative responses about residents’ placerelationships. Using geographically referenced social values data collected in community meetings (n = 169), we identify high-frequency landscape values and examine how well the landscape values are reflected in open-ended descriptions of place-relations. We also explore the various interpretations of 14 landscape values used in the study. In particular, we investigate any overlapping meanings or blurriness among landscape values and reveal potentially emergent landscape values from the qualitative data. The results provide insights on the use of landscape values mapping typologies for practitioners and researchers engaged in the mapping of social values for PPGIS. Close

• 4. [Article] What Drives Academic Bioscientists: Money or Values?

  The article determines the factors that drive academic bioscience to better understand the role of genetically engineered (GE) crops in the sustainability of U.S. agriculture. Some challenges brought about ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: What Drives Academic Bioscientists: Money or Values? Author: Ervin, David E., Nag, Sharmistha, Yang, Hui, Buccola, Steven T. Year: 2010 The article determines the factors that drive academic bioscience to better understand the role of genetically engineered (GE) crops in the sustainability of U.S. agriculture. Some challenges brought about by GE crops in the U.S. farm sustainability include tracking and controlling water pollution, protecting against herbicide resistance and nitrogen fixation. Professional norms are also considered as a great factor driving the academic bioscience. Title: What Drives Academic Bioscientists: Money or Values? Author: Ervin, David E., Nag, Sharmistha, Yang, Hui, Buccola, Steven T. Year: 2010 The article determines the factors that drive academic bioscience to better understand the role of genetically engineered (GE) crops in the sustainability of U.S. agriculture. Some challenges brought about by GE crops in the U.S. farm sustainability include tracking and controlling water pollution, protecting against herbicide resistance and nitrogen fixation. Professional norms are also considered as a great factor driving the academic bioscience. Close

• 5. [Article] Strengthening the Resiliency of Dryland Forest-Based Livelihoods in Ethiopia and South Sudan: A Review of Literature on the Interaction Between Dryland Forests, Livelihoods and Forest Governance

  Dry forests account for nearly half of the world’s tropical and subtropical forests and provide a multitude of ecological services. They contribute to hydrological cycles and livestock and wildlife provisioning; ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Strengthening the Resiliency of Dryland Forest-Based Livelihoods in Ethiopia and South Sudan: A Review of Literature on the Interaction Between Dryland Forests, Livelihoods and Forest Governance Author: Lawry, Steven, McLain, Rebecca J., Kassa, Habtemariam Year: 2015 Dry forests account for nearly half of the world’s tropical and subtropical forests and provide a multitude of ecological services. They contribute to hydrological cycles and livestock and wildlife provisioning; and host pollinators and wild plants. They are also important ecological zones for dryland agriculture and pastoral livelihood strategies that support hundreds of millions of people around the world. Dry forests cover large areas and their biomass stores carbon and helps mitigate climate change. Dry forests are particularly important to people in Africa. They provide wood for construction and energy, contribute to local diets with wild fruits, vegetables, nuts, edible insects and bushmeat. Wild, edible plants provide essential nutrients, particularly during times of food scarcity. Yet dry forests are subject to high rates of deforestation and degradation driven mainly by agricultural expansion and growing energy demands. Other challenges include limited information on dry forests (their inventories, changes over time, major drivers of deforestation and recovery, etc.), their biophysical aspects and ecosystem services and the potential roles they could play in increasing the sustainability of crop and livestock farming. Governments, development partners and communities are looking for options to better manage these resources at the landscape level. Dry forests are complex ecosystems that are not fully understood. Scientific knowledge to better manage dry forests and sustain the livelihoods of people that depend on these ecosystems remains scanty as research to inform policy and practice is still very limited. The knowledge gap is even more pronounced in northeastern Africa, notably Ethiopia and South Sudan where these forest types are important in terms of areas coverage and in supporting rural livelihoods. Ethiopia and South Sudan share histories of political unrest and conflict that have contributed to famines; large-scale land acquisition for investment and agricultural expansion by smallholders are resulting in major and rapid land-use changes in their dry forested areas. Ethiopia’s two decades of peace and stability and its experience in managing its natural resources could inform post-conflict intervention measures in South Sudan. This study was conducted as an effort to help fill the knowledge gap in dry forest-based livelihoods through a critical review of the available literature. It used publications from CIFOR’s work on dry forests and product marketing in Ethiopia and from other sources, including gray literature. The study assessed the socio-ecological context, including relevant laws and strategies, with an emphasis on the biophysical characteristics of the dryland forests of Ethiopia and South Sudan and the major causes of deforestation and forest degradation. Using livelihood systems as an analytical framework, it examined (i) major livelihood strategies; (ii) the contribution of dry forests to livelihoods; (iii) forest product markets and value chains; and (iv) forest and land governance with an emphasis on the relationship between political, economic and resource management policies and the level of degradation of dry forests and their contributions to the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities in Ethiopia and South Sudan. It also identified major threats to dry, forest-based livelihoods and key issues for policy, research and practice that need to be addressed to maintain the multifunctionality of dryland forests while also ensuring the well-being of communities dependent on these landscapes. Title: Strengthening the Resiliency of Dryland Forest-Based Livelihoods in Ethiopia and South Sudan: A Review of Literature on the Interaction Between Dryland Forests, Livelihoods and Forest Governance Author: Lawry, Steven, McLain, Rebecca J., Kassa, Habtemariam Year: 2015 Dry forests account for nearly half of the world’s tropical and subtropical forests and provide a multitude of ecological services. They contribute to hydrological cycles and livestock and wildlife provisioning; and host pollinators and wild plants. They are also important ecological zones for dryland agriculture and pastoral livelihood strategies that support hundreds of millions of people around the world. Dry forests cover large areas and their biomass stores carbon and helps mitigate climate change. Dry forests are particularly important to people in Africa. They provide wood for construction and energy, contribute to local diets with wild fruits, vegetables, nuts, edible insects and bushmeat. Wild, edible plants provide essential nutrients, particularly during times of food scarcity. Yet dry forests are subject to high rates of deforestation and degradation driven mainly by agricultural expansion and growing energy demands. Other challenges include limited information on dry forests (their inventories, changes over time, major drivers of deforestation and recovery, etc.), their biophysical aspects and ecosystem services and the potential roles they could play in increasing the sustainability of crop and livestock farming. Governments, development partners and communities are looking for options to better manage these resources at the landscape level. Dry forests are complex ecosystems that are not fully understood. Scientific knowledge to better manage dry forests and sustain the livelihoods of people that depend on these ecosystems remains scanty as research to inform policy and practice is still very limited. The knowledge gap is even more pronounced in northeastern Africa, notably Ethiopia and South Sudan where these forest types are important in terms of areas coverage and in supporting rural livelihoods. Ethiopia and South Sudan share histories of political unrest and conflict that have contributed to famines; large-scale land acquisition for investment and agricultural expansion by smallholders are resulting in major and rapid land-use changes in their dry forested areas. Ethiopia’s two decades of peace and stability and its experience in managing its natural resources could inform post-conflict intervention measures in South Sudan. This study was conducted as an effort to help fill the knowledge gap in dry forest-based livelihoods through a critical review of the available literature. It used publications from CIFOR’s work on dry forests and product marketing in Ethiopia and from other sources, including gray literature. The study assessed the socio-ecological context, including relevant laws and strategies, with an emphasis on the biophysical characteristics of the dryland forests of Ethiopia and South Sudan and the major causes of deforestation and forest degradation. Using livelihood systems as an analytical framework, it examined (i) major livelihood strategies; (ii) the contribution of dry forests to livelihoods; (iii) forest product markets and value chains; and (iv) forest and land governance with an emphasis on the relationship between political, economic and resource management policies and the level of degradation of dry forests and their contributions to the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities in Ethiopia and South Sudan. It also identified major threats to dry, forest-based livelihoods and key issues for policy, research and practice that need to be addressed to maintain the multifunctionality of dryland forests while also ensuring the well-being of communities dependent on these landscapes. Close

• 6. [Article] Street Trees in the Urban Forest Canopy: Portland, Oregon

  Attempts to identify the contribution of street trees to the overall urban forest of a city have been rare and lack consensus on how to measure that contribution – percentage of trees, percentage of canopy ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Street Trees in the Urban Forest Canopy: Portland, Oregon Author: Poracsky, Joseph, Banis, David Year: 2005 Attempts to identify the contribution of street trees to the overall urban forest of a city have been rare and lack consensus on how to measure that contribution – percentage of trees, percentage of canopy cover, or percentage of leaf area. The actual numeric values presented in the literature also vary over a broad range and often are based on estimates, extrapolations from aggregated data, or simply stated with no empirical data referenced. This study was undertaken to evaluate the contribution of street trees to canopy in Portland, Oregon. The study involved both visual and digital analysis of multi-band aerial images, field observation, and GIS analysis involving several ancillary data themes. The strategy was to calculate the street tree component (STC) of the urban forest canopy within a sample of areas in the city and generalize that pattern to the whole city. The analysis indicates that street trees constitute 3.4% of the whole study area. In commercial / industrial areas the value drops to only 1.1% and in residential areas rises to 4.8%. For the overall study area the STC of the canopy is 17.2%, a value in the middle of the range of values found in the published literature. In commercial / industrial areas we found a value of 23.7% and a value of 16.6% for residential areas. Residential areas are overall better treed than commercial / industrial areas, but do not rely on street trees to contribute as large a percentage to overall canopy as do commercial / industrial areas. Available planting space in the right-of-way (ROW) is much more nearly constant (or independent of land cover) than the amount of planting space available inside a block. Therefore, the STC tends to vary inversely with the total amount of vegetated area. As the vegetated (read, plantable) area decreases, the ROW becomes a more significant space for planting and the STC increases. Conversely, as the vegetated area increases, the ROW becomes a less significant space for planting and the STC decreases. For both residential and commercial / industrial areas, the percentage of street tree area within the total canopy varies from locale to locale. The relatively small sampling used in this study suggests that neighborhood age and physical characteristics influence the STC in a given neighborhood, particularly for residential areas. Analysis allowed division of the study area into five residential neighborhood groups that attempt to reflect local differences. A larger / more detailed sampling would allow for improved delineation, perhaps below the level of neighborhood. Three generalized spatial patterns emerge for Portland. Street tree canopy as a percent of area seems to follow an east-west gradient, with lower values to the east and higher values to the west. Street trees as a component of the total canopy takes on an inverted-U shape, with higher values in the Inner Eastside and lower values to the east and to the west. The overall tree canopy category takes on just the opposite pattern – a standard-U – with lower values in the Inner Eastside and higher values to the east and west. This study represents a useful starting point for understanding the dynamics of an important and highly visible component of the urban forest. Title: Street Trees in the Urban Forest Canopy: Portland, Oregon Author: Poracsky, Joseph, Banis, David Year: 2005 Attempts to identify the contribution of street trees to the overall urban forest of a city have been rare and lack consensus on how to measure that contribution – percentage of trees, percentage of canopy cover, or percentage of leaf area. The actual numeric values presented in the literature also vary over a broad range and often are based on estimates, extrapolations from aggregated data, or simply stated with no empirical data referenced. This study was undertaken to evaluate the contribution of street trees to canopy in Portland, Oregon. The study involved both visual and digital analysis of multi-band aerial images, field observation, and GIS analysis involving several ancillary data themes. The strategy was to calculate the street tree component (STC) of the urban forest canopy within a sample of areas in the city and generalize that pattern to the whole city. The analysis indicates that street trees constitute 3.4% of the whole study area. In commercial / industrial areas the value drops to only 1.1% and in residential areas rises to 4.8%. For the overall study area the STC of the canopy is 17.2%, a value in the middle of the range of values found in the published literature. In commercial / industrial areas we found a value of 23.7% and a value of 16.6% for residential areas. Residential areas are overall better treed than commercial / industrial areas, but do not rely on street trees to contribute as large a percentage to overall canopy as do commercial / industrial areas. Available planting space in the right-of-way (ROW) is much more nearly constant (or independent of land cover) than the amount of planting space available inside a block. Therefore, the STC tends to vary inversely with the total amount of vegetated area. As the vegetated (read, plantable) area decreases, the ROW becomes a more significant space for planting and the STC increases. Conversely, as the vegetated area increases, the ROW becomes a less significant space for planting and the STC decreases. For both residential and commercial / industrial areas, the percentage of street tree area within the total canopy varies from locale to locale. The relatively small sampling used in this study suggests that neighborhood age and physical characteristics influence the STC in a given neighborhood, particularly for residential areas. Analysis allowed division of the study area into five residential neighborhood groups that attempt to reflect local differences. A larger / more detailed sampling would allow for improved delineation, perhaps below the level of neighborhood. Three generalized spatial patterns emerge for Portland. Street tree canopy as a percent of area seems to follow an east-west gradient, with lower values to the east and higher values to the west. Street trees as a component of the total canopy takes on an inverted-U shape, with higher values in the Inner Eastside and lower values to the east and to the west. The overall tree canopy category takes on just the opposite pattern – a standard-U – with lower values in the Inner Eastside and higher values to the east and west. This study represents a useful starting point for understanding the dynamics of an important and highly visible component of the urban forest. Close

• 7. [Article] Environmental Reviews and Case Studies: Mapping Landscape Values: Issues, Challenges and Lessons Learned from Field Work on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington

  In order to inform natural resource policy and land management decisions, landscape values mapping (LVM) is increasingly used to collect data about the meanings that people attach to places and the activities ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Environmental Reviews and Case Studies: Mapping Landscape Values: Issues, Challenges and Lessons Learned from Field Work on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington Author: Besser, Diane, McLain, Rebecca J., Cerveny, Lee, Biedenweg, Kelly, Banis, David Year: 2014 In order to inform natural resource policy and land management decisions, landscape values mapping (LVM) is increasingly used to collect data about the meanings that people attach to places and the activities associated with those places. This type of mapping provides geographically referenced data on areas of high density of values or associated with different types of values. This article focuses on issues and challenges that commonly occur in LVM, drawing on lessons learned in the US Forest Service Olympic Peninsula Human Ecology Mapping Project. The discussion covers choosing a spatial scale for collecting data, creating the base map, developing data collection strategies, the use of ascribed versus assigned values, and the pros and cons of different mapping formats. Understanding the common issues and challenges in LVM will assist policy makers, land managers, and researchers in designing a LVM project that effectively balances project goals, time and budgetary constraints, and personnel resources in a way that ensures the most robust data and inclusive public participation. Title: Environmental Reviews and Case Studies: Mapping Landscape Values: Issues, Challenges and Lessons Learned from Field Work on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington Author: Besser, Diane, McLain, Rebecca J., Cerveny, Lee, Biedenweg, Kelly, Banis, David Year: 2014 In order to inform natural resource policy and land management decisions, landscape values mapping (LVM) is increasingly used to collect data about the meanings that people attach to places and the activities associated with those places. This type of mapping provides geographically referenced data on areas of high density of values or associated with different types of values. This article focuses on issues and challenges that commonly occur in LVM, drawing on lessons learned in the US Forest Service Olympic Peninsula Human Ecology Mapping Project. The discussion covers choosing a spatial scale for collecting data, creating the base map, developing data collection strategies, the use of ascribed versus assigned values, and the pros and cons of different mapping formats. Understanding the common issues and challenges in LVM will assist policy makers, land managers, and researchers in designing a LVM project that effectively balances project goals, time and budgetary constraints, and personnel resources in a way that ensures the most robust data and inclusive public participation. Close

• 8. [Article] Mapping Conservation Opportunity Areas for the Intertwine's Regional Conservation Strategy

  As part of efforts to develop the Regional Conservation Strategy (RCS) for the greater Portland-Vancouver region, Oregon State University’s Institute for Natural Resources (INR) was asked to use spatial ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Mapping Conservation Opportunity Areas for the Intertwine's Regional Conservation Strategy Author: Burcsu, Theresa, Kagan, James S. Year: 2011 As part of efforts to develop the Regional Conservation Strategy (RCS) for the greater Portland-Vancouver region, Oregon State University’s Institute for Natural Resources (INR) was asked to use spatial modeling to identify conservation opportunity areas (COAs). To complete the project, INR analysts proposed a strategy that would map high value areas using a landscape approach that is focused on relatively high spatial resolution data sets available for the whole metropolitan region. The approach creates 2 main metrics: one focused on terrestrial organisms and the other focused on aquatic and riparian organisms. These are combined to create a map of highly ranked land areas that can be used to formulate a map of conservation opportunity areas. The purpose of the COA mapping project was to use geographic information system methods to identify landscape patches with conservation and restoration potential. The criteria used to identify these high value patches was based on a number of base- and derived-data sets that we call “data inputs.” The data ranged from recently mapped land use and land cover types, hydrological data to indicate species habitat requirements, and road influence on habitat patches. The project identified some areas in which data gaps exist (e.g., region-wide biodiversity data collected and mapped in consistent ways) and some opportunities for improving existent data sets (e.g., land use/land cover map). The project provided several layers that can be used to guide the final Regional Conservation Strategy in selecting conservation opportunity areas. The best layer will depend upon the needs of the RCS efforts, however, in our opinion the most appropriate layer to use is COA 3.11.1 which weights wetlands fairly high, but not as highly as the second data draft. COA 3.10.1 offers similar results as well. Overall it appears that the model results corroborate corridors analysis done previously (Hennings and Soll 2010). There are some issues remaining that we feel can most adequately be addressed by updating the base land use/land cover map. Title: Mapping Conservation Opportunity Areas for the Intertwine's Regional Conservation Strategy Author: Burcsu, Theresa, Kagan, James S. Year: 2011 As part of efforts to develop the Regional Conservation Strategy (RCS) for the greater Portland-Vancouver region, Oregon State University’s Institute for Natural Resources (INR) was asked to use spatial modeling to identify conservation opportunity areas (COAs). To complete the project, INR analysts proposed a strategy that would map high value areas using a landscape approach that is focused on relatively high spatial resolution data sets available for the whole metropolitan region. The approach creates 2 main metrics: one focused on terrestrial organisms and the other focused on aquatic and riparian organisms. These are combined to create a map of highly ranked land areas that can be used to formulate a map of conservation opportunity areas. The purpose of the COA mapping project was to use geographic information system methods to identify landscape patches with conservation and restoration potential. The criteria used to identify these high value patches was based on a number of base- and derived-data sets that we call “data inputs.” The data ranged from recently mapped land use and land cover types, hydrological data to indicate species habitat requirements, and road influence on habitat patches. The project identified some areas in which data gaps exist (e.g., region-wide biodiversity data collected and mapped in consistent ways) and some opportunities for improving existent data sets (e.g., land use/land cover map). The project provided several layers that can be used to guide the final Regional Conservation Strategy in selecting conservation opportunity areas. The best layer will depend upon the needs of the RCS efforts, however, in our opinion the most appropriate layer to use is COA 3.11.1 which weights wetlands fairly high, but not as highly as the second data draft. COA 3.10.1 offers similar results as well. Overall it appears that the model results corroborate corridors analysis done previously (Hennings and Soll 2010). There are some issues remaining that we feel can most adequately be addressed by updating the base land use/land cover map. Close

• 9. [Article] Modeling and Mapping in Support of the Regional Conservational Strategy Framework

  Prior to November 2010, when The Intertwine Alliance launched the Regional Conservation Strategy (RCS) and Biodiversity Guide (RBG) efforts for the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region, conservation ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Modeling and Mapping in Support of the Regional Conservational Strategy Framework Author: Burcsu, Theresa, Albo, Thomas, Bernert, Joseph, Dimiceli, Jennifer, Kagan, James S., Noone, Matthew D. Year: 2013 Prior to November 2010, when The Intertwine Alliance launched the Regional Conservation Strategy (RCS) and Biodiversity Guide (RBG) efforts for the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region, conservation priorities in the metropolitan region were identified at a broad regional scale that generally excluded urban areas (e.g., state conservation strategies and Willamette Synthesis); were regional but based solely on expert opinion (e.g., Natural Features); and consisted of localized priorities that abruptly ended at jurisdiction boundaries. The goal of the RCS was to fill in the gaps between broad and local scales of information related to conservation priorities. RCS members envisioned a data-driven approach that could add a regional perspective to local efforts and facilitate cross-scale cooperation toward protecting remaining valuable habitat in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region. Also, RCS members expected that the product would complement rather than replace local knowledge, by validating what we know and expanding to areas we know less well. In June 2011, INR completed an initial proof-of-concept product describing high value conservation areas in the Portland-Vancouver region. The product demonstrated a methodology that enabled stakeholder involvement while also being data-driven. In September 2012, we completed a second version of this product that is reported on in this document. While the product is considered complete at this time, it is expected and hoped that the models and data will be updated and improved upon into the future as more and better information becomes available so that the product functions as a "living work" rather than a one-time snapshot in time. Several key products resulted from the project: the High Value Habitat data describing high value terrestrial habitat within the metropolitan region, the Riparian Habitat data describing high value habitat adjacent to streams and rivers, and the high spatial resolution land cover data set describing land cover at a 5 m spatial resolution. Title: Modeling and Mapping in Support of the Regional Conservational Strategy Framework Author: Burcsu, Theresa, Albo, Thomas, Bernert, Joseph, Dimiceli, Jennifer, Kagan, James S., Noone, Matthew D. Year: 2013 Prior to November 2010, when The Intertwine Alliance launched the Regional Conservation Strategy (RCS) and Biodiversity Guide (RBG) efforts for the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region, conservation priorities in the metropolitan region were identified at a broad regional scale that generally excluded urban areas (e.g., state conservation strategies and Willamette Synthesis); were regional but based solely on expert opinion (e.g., Natural Features); and consisted of localized priorities that abruptly ended at jurisdiction boundaries. The goal of the RCS was to fill in the gaps between broad and local scales of information related to conservation priorities. RCS members envisioned a data-driven approach that could add a regional perspective to local efforts and facilitate cross-scale cooperation toward protecting remaining valuable habitat in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region. Also, RCS members expected that the product would complement rather than replace local knowledge, by validating what we know and expanding to areas we know less well. In June 2011, INR completed an initial proof-of-concept product describing high value conservation areas in the Portland-Vancouver region. The product demonstrated a methodology that enabled stakeholder involvement while also being data-driven. In September 2012, we completed a second version of this product that is reported on in this document. While the product is considered complete at this time, it is expected and hoped that the models and data will be updated and improved upon into the future as more and better information becomes available so that the product functions as a "living work" rather than a one-time snapshot in time. Several key products resulted from the project: the High Value Habitat data describing high value terrestrial habitat within the metropolitan region, the Riparian Habitat data describing high value habitat adjacent to streams and rivers, and the high spatial resolution land cover data set describing land cover at a 5 m spatial resolution. Close

• 10. [Article] The sustainability of timber production from Eastern Amazonian forests

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Elsevier and can be found at: http://www.elsevier.com/.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The sustainability of timber production from Eastern Amazonian forests Author: Vidal, Edson, Carter, Douglas R., Macpherson, Alexander J., Schulze, Mark D. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Elsevier and can be found at: http://www.elsevier.com/. Title: The sustainability of timber production from Eastern Amazonian forests Author: Vidal, Edson, Carter, Douglas R., Macpherson, Alexander J., Schulze, Mark D. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Elsevier and can be found at: http://www.elsevier.com/. Close

• 11. [Article] Capture-based aquaculture - sustainable value adding to capture fisheries?

  Capture-based aquaculture (CBA) is an industry that utilizes wild-captured specimens as stocking animals for ongrowing or storage. This yields an intriguing direct link between capture fisheries and aquaculture ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Capture-based aquaculture - sustainable value adding to capture fisheries? Author: Dreyer, Bent, Hermansen, Oystein Capture-based aquaculture (CBA) is an industry that utilizes wild-captured specimens as stocking animals for ongrowing or storage. This yields an intriguing direct link between capture fisheries and aquaculture of these resources. Examples of CBA are collection of early life stages of many crustaceans and adolescent tunas for grow-out in aquaculture systems. Cod CBA competes with capture fisheries and closed-cycle aquaculture. This paper discusses value adding properties of these in order to evaluate the relative costs and value positions according to the Hunt and Morgan (1995) competitiveness matrix. CBA on cod is found to be in a superior value position and at a cost disadvantage. Advantages primarily stem from a quantitatively high yield, ability to supply during the lean season and large fish for sale. Higher capture, farming and slaughter costs are negative factors. Capture of juveniles for CBA imposes an externality on the capture fishery. When evaluating potential or ongoing CBA operations, this has to be taken into account. For cod CBA, this is internalized as cod for stocking has to be caught within regular quotas. Attention from economics and resource management research is scarce, as we find only one study that calculates the economic benefits from alternative uses of juveniles. FAO have proposed strict criteria for CBA evaluation. Our findings indicate that CBA can be economically preferable, even if not satisfying these criteria. Title: Capture-based aquaculture - sustainable value adding to capture fisheries? Author: Dreyer, Bent, Hermansen, Oystein Capture-based aquaculture (CBA) is an industry that utilizes wild-captured specimens as stocking animals for ongrowing or storage. This yields an intriguing direct link between capture fisheries and aquaculture of these resources. Examples of CBA are collection of early life stages of many crustaceans and adolescent tunas for grow-out in aquaculture systems. Cod CBA competes with capture fisheries and closed-cycle aquaculture. This paper discusses value adding properties of these in order to evaluate the relative costs and value positions according to the Hunt and Morgan (1995) competitiveness matrix. CBA on cod is found to be in a superior value position and at a cost disadvantage. Advantages primarily stem from a quantitatively high yield, ability to supply during the lean season and large fish for sale. Higher capture, farming and slaughter costs are negative factors. Capture of juveniles for CBA imposes an externality on the capture fishery. When evaluating potential or ongoing CBA operations, this has to be taken into account. For cod CBA, this is internalized as cod for stocking has to be caught within regular quotas. Attention from economics and resource management research is scarce, as we find only one study that calculates the economic benefits from alternative uses of juveniles. FAO have proposed strict criteria for CBA evaluation. Our findings indicate that CBA can be economically preferable, even if not satisfying these criteria. Close

• 12. [Article] The Future of Agriculture and Society in Iowa: Four Scenarios

  Iowa is a leader in crop and livestock production, but its high productivity has had concomitant negative environmental and societal impacts and large requirements for fossil-fuel-derived inputs. Maintaining ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Future of Agriculture and Society in Iowa: Four Scenarios Author: Jarchow, Meghann E., Larsen, G. L. Drake, Costanza, Robert, Zdorkowski, Gretchen, Gailans, Stefans R., Ohde, Nicholaus, Dietzel, Ranae, Kaplan, Sara, Neal, Jeri, Petrehn, Mae Rose, Gunther, Theodore, D’Adamo, Stephanie N., McCann, Nicholas, Larson, Andrew, Damery, Phillip, Gross, Lee, Merriman, Marc, Kubiszewski, Ida, Post, Julian, Sheradin, Meghan, Liebman, Matt Year: 2012 Iowa is a leader in crop and livestock production, but its high productivity has had concomitant negative environmental and societal impacts and large requirements for fossil-fuel-derived inputs. Maintaining agricultural productivity, economic prosperity and environmental integrity will become ever more challenging as the global demand for agricultural products increases and the resources needed become increasingly limited. Here we present four scenarios for Iowa in 2100, based on combinations of differing goals for the economy and differing energy availability. In scenarios focused on high material throughput, environmental degradation and social unrest will increase. In scenarios with a focus on human and environmental welfare, environmental damage will be ameliorated and societal happiness will increase. Movement towards a society focused on human and environmental welfare will require changes in the goals of the economy, whereas no major changes will be needed to maintain focus on high throughput. When energy sources are readily available and inexpensive, the goals of the economy will be more easily met, whereas energy limitations will restrict the options available to agriculture and society. Our scenarios can be used as tools to inform people about choices that must be made to reach more desirable futures for Iowa and similar agricultural regions Title: The Future of Agriculture and Society in Iowa: Four Scenarios Author: Jarchow, Meghann E., Larsen, G. L. Drake, Costanza, Robert, Zdorkowski, Gretchen, Gailans, Stefans R., Ohde, Nicholaus, Dietzel, Ranae, Kaplan, Sara, Neal, Jeri, Petrehn, Mae Rose, Gunther, Theodore, D’Adamo, Stephanie N., McCann, Nicholas, Larson, Andrew, Damery, Phillip, Gross, Lee, Merriman, Marc, Kubiszewski, Ida, Post, Julian, Sheradin, Meghan, Liebman, Matt Year: 2012 Iowa is a leader in crop and livestock production, but its high productivity has had concomitant negative environmental and societal impacts and large requirements for fossil-fuel-derived inputs. Maintaining agricultural productivity, economic prosperity and environmental integrity will become ever more challenging as the global demand for agricultural products increases and the resources needed become increasingly limited. Here we present four scenarios for Iowa in 2100, based on combinations of differing goals for the economy and differing energy availability. In scenarios focused on high material throughput, environmental degradation and social unrest will increase. In scenarios with a focus on human and environmental welfare, environmental damage will be ameliorated and societal happiness will increase. Movement towards a society focused on human and environmental welfare will require changes in the goals of the economy, whereas no major changes will be needed to maintain focus on high throughput. When energy sources are readily available and inexpensive, the goals of the economy will be more easily met, whereas energy limitations will restrict the options available to agriculture and society. Our scenarios can be used as tools to inform people about choices that must be made to reach more desirable futures for Iowa and similar agricultural regions Close

• 13. [Article] The Economic Value of Exclusive Use Rights in Subsistence Fisheries: Case Study of the Marine Protected Area (Mpa) of the National Park of Banc D'Arguin (Pnba) in Mauritania

  Abstract only.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Economic Value of Exclusive Use Rights in Subsistence Fisheries: Case Study of the Marine Protected Area (Mpa) of the National Park of Banc D'Arguin (Pnba) in Mauritania Author: Cunningham, Steve, Inejih, Cheikh Abdellahi Ould, Kinadjian, Lionel Abstract only. Title: The Economic Value of Exclusive Use Rights in Subsistence Fisheries: Case Study of the Marine Protected Area (Mpa) of the National Park of Banc D'Arguin (Pnba) in Mauritania Author: Cunningham, Steve, Inejih, Cheikh Abdellahi Ould, Kinadjian, Lionel Abstract only. Close

• 14. [Article] Budgeting Analysis of Catfish Marketing in Ondo State, Nigeria

  No poster available.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Budgeting Analysis of Catfish Marketing in Ondo State, Nigeria Author: Olumide, Oseni Joseph No poster available. Title: Budgeting Analysis of Catfish Marketing in Ondo State, Nigeria Author: Olumide, Oseni Joseph No poster available. Close

• 15. [Article] Tillamook County Futures: A Citizen Based Approach to Developing County Visions, Goals, Strategies and Benchmarks

  264 pages

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Tillamook County Futures: A Citizen Based Approach to Developing County Visions, Goals, Strategies and Benchmarks Author: Povey, David, Demming, John, Kay, William, Rahr, Lee, Thieman, Cindy Year: 2014, 1999 264 pages Title: Tillamook County Futures: A Citizen Based Approach to Developing County Visions, Goals, Strategies and Benchmarks Author: Povey, David, Demming, John, Kay, William, Rahr, Lee, Thieman, Cindy Year: 2014, 1999 264 pages Close

• 16. [Article] Is Aquaculture a Sustainable Source of Food and income in Nigeria?

  Abstract only.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Is Aquaculture a Sustainable Source of Food and income in Nigeria? Author: Ogundari, Kolawole Abstract only. Title: Is Aquaculture a Sustainable Source of Food and income in Nigeria? Author: Ogundari, Kolawole Abstract only. Close

• 17. [Article] Gaining Ground: Wetlands, Hurricanes, and the Economy: The Value of Restoring the Mississippi River Delta

  This report shows conclusively that physical sustainability and delta expansion secures vast economic benefits locally and nationally. Within the context of the current financial crisis, investment in ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Gaining Ground: Wetlands, Hurricanes, and the Economy: The Value of Restoring the Mississippi River Delta Author: Batker, David, Torre, Isabel de, Costanza, Robert, Swedeen, Paula, Day, John W., Boumans, Roelof, Bagstad, Kenneth Year: 2010 This report shows conclusively that physical sustainability and delta expansion secures vast economic benefits locally and nationally. Within the context of the current financial crisis, investment in restoration secures short-term benefits of employment, income generation, greater ecosystem services and other economic benefits, and the long term goals of increased storm protection, greater oil and gas supply reliability and other economic benefits. A sustainable restoration of the Mississippi River Delta is a good investment with a high rate of return. Gaining ground is the most successful economic strategy for securing hurricane defenses and economic development. Title: Gaining Ground: Wetlands, Hurricanes, and the Economy: The Value of Restoring the Mississippi River Delta Author: Batker, David, Torre, Isabel de, Costanza, Robert, Swedeen, Paula, Day, John W., Boumans, Roelof, Bagstad, Kenneth Year: 2010 This report shows conclusively that physical sustainability and delta expansion secures vast economic benefits locally and nationally. Within the context of the current financial crisis, investment in restoration secures short-term benefits of employment, income generation, greater ecosystem services and other economic benefits, and the long term goals of increased storm protection, greater oil and gas supply reliability and other economic benefits. A sustainable restoration of the Mississippi River Delta is a good investment with a high rate of return. Gaining ground is the most successful economic strategy for securing hurricane defenses and economic development. Close

• 18. [Article] Oregon Natural Areas Plan

  The rich diversity of ecosystems and native plants and animals is one of Oregon's most distinctive and valued qualities. Our state contains rain forests, dry forests, oak woodlands, alpine meadows, prairies, ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Oregon Natural Areas Plan Author: Oregon Natural Heritage Advisory Council Year: 2010 The rich diversity of ecosystems and native plants and animals is one of Oregon's most distinctive and valued qualities. Our state contains rain forests, dry forests, oak woodlands, alpine meadows, prairies, deserts, marshes, estuaries, dunes, rocky headlands, lakes and streams. There are a number of reasons it is so diverse. First are the extremes of climate, with rainfall ranging from over 200 inches a year along Oregon’s north coast, to less than 7 inches a year in the Alvord Desert, and temperatures from the very mild banana belt along the coast near the California border to the extremes of the high alpine areas of the Wallowa Mountains. Secondly, Oregon is diverse geographically and geologically, having ancient serpentine landscapes in the Siskiyou Mountains and recent volcanics in the Cascades and the deepest gorge in North America at Hells Canyon. Lastly, Oregon is a floristic crossroads, with arctic boreal species finding their southern limit, Rocky Mountain species common in northeastern Oregon, Great Basin species in southeastern Oregon, and California coastal and Sierra species in the southwest, all mixing with native northwestern taxa to create a wide array of habitats. Title: Oregon Natural Areas Plan Author: Oregon Natural Heritage Advisory Council Year: 2010 The rich diversity of ecosystems and native plants and animals is one of Oregon's most distinctive and valued qualities. Our state contains rain forests, dry forests, oak woodlands, alpine meadows, prairies, deserts, marshes, estuaries, dunes, rocky headlands, lakes and streams. There are a number of reasons it is so diverse. First are the extremes of climate, with rainfall ranging from over 200 inches a year along Oregon’s north coast, to less than 7 inches a year in the Alvord Desert, and temperatures from the very mild banana belt along the coast near the California border to the extremes of the high alpine areas of the Wallowa Mountains. Secondly, Oregon is diverse geographically and geologically, having ancient serpentine landscapes in the Siskiyou Mountains and recent volcanics in the Cascades and the deepest gorge in North America at Hells Canyon. Lastly, Oregon is a floristic crossroads, with arctic boreal species finding their southern limit, Rocky Mountain species common in northeastern Oregon, Great Basin species in southeastern Oregon, and California coastal and Sierra species in the southwest, all mixing with native northwestern taxa to create a wide array of habitats. Close

• 19. [Article] Consumer Preferences for Seafood Information Attributes

  Abstract only.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Consumer Preferences for Seafood Information Attributes Author: Sylvia, Gil, Fonner, Robert Abstract only. Title: Consumer Preferences for Seafood Information Attributes Author: Sylvia, Gil, Fonner, Robert Abstract only. Close

• 20. [Article] Green Mind Gray Yard: Micro Scale Assessment of Ecosystem Services

  There is a spatial mismatch between the size of the area where people are living and the extent of land needed to ecologically support developed areas. More people are living in urban areas than any time ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Green Mind Gray Yard: Micro Scale Assessment of Ecosystem Services Author: Kirkpatrick, Erin Jolene Year: 2013 There is a spatial mismatch between the size of the area where people are living and the extent of land needed to ecologically support developed areas. More people are living in urban areas than any time in history, and the resources need to support cities have had to expand to try and meet the demands of increasing urban populations. However, areas of opportunity exist for urban areas to begin to positively contribute towards the available resources in a region. Because a large portion of urban areas is within private control, gaining a baseline understanding of how residents interact with ecosystem services served as basis of this study. Using a survey of residents in the Portland, OR area, correlations between demographic groups and questions regarding their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors as they relate to vegetation proved that the knowledge of environmental relationships is an important first step in creating pro-environmental behavior. Those reporting a high level of knowledge for ecological system and processes were more likely to value the benefits of vegetation for other associated reasons, such as for recreational activities, aesthetic purposes, and air or water quality. Additionally, survey responses were mapped to spatial data to gain an understanding of the spatial characteristics of neighborhoods in the survey area and how they have changed over time. Overall, the results in the study display trends that can help outreach organizations and municipalities to determine plans to strategically engage the public in a way that could create a net gain in urban ecosystem services. Title: Green Mind Gray Yard: Micro Scale Assessment of Ecosystem Services Author: Kirkpatrick, Erin Jolene Year: 2013 There is a spatial mismatch between the size of the area where people are living and the extent of land needed to ecologically support developed areas. More people are living in urban areas than any time in history, and the resources need to support cities have had to expand to try and meet the demands of increasing urban populations. However, areas of opportunity exist for urban areas to begin to positively contribute towards the available resources in a region. Because a large portion of urban areas is within private control, gaining a baseline understanding of how residents interact with ecosystem services served as basis of this study. Using a survey of residents in the Portland, OR area, correlations between demographic groups and questions regarding their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors as they relate to vegetation proved that the knowledge of environmental relationships is an important first step in creating pro-environmental behavior. Those reporting a high level of knowledge for ecological system and processes were more likely to value the benefits of vegetation for other associated reasons, such as for recreational activities, aesthetic purposes, and air or water quality. Additionally, survey responses were mapped to spatial data to gain an understanding of the spatial characteristics of neighborhoods in the survey area and how they have changed over time. Overall, the results in the study display trends that can help outreach organizations and municipalities to determine plans to strategically engage the public in a way that could create a net gain in urban ecosystem services. Close

• 21. [Article] Tree Cover Mapping for Assessing Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat in Eastern Oregon

  We used a predictive model to map canopy cover of vegetation over seven feet in height ("tall woody vegetation") at 30-meter resolution over nearly 29 million acres within and adjacent to the range of ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Tree Cover Mapping for Assessing Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat in Eastern Oregon Author: Nielsen, Eric M., Noone, Matthew D. Year: 2014 We used a predictive model to map canopy cover of vegetation over seven feet in height ("tall woody vegetation") at 30-meter resolution over nearly 29 million acres within and adjacent to the range of the greater sage-grouse in Oregon (Figure 1). Texture measures computed at various resolutions from color-infrared aerial photography provided the main source of predictor data used to produce the map. Canopy cover was treated as a categorical variable using six cover classes: absent (cover class C0), present at less than 4% (C1), 4 – 10% (C2), 10 – 20% (C3), 20 – 50% (C4), and 50% and over (C5). The map is referenced to conditions in the years 2011 and 2012. Although the specific target of the mapping was western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), our reference data did not permit separating juniper from other tall woody vegetation during the predictive modeling process. The majority of the tall woody vegetation within the project area is western juniper. However, in high elevation regions, riparian, wetland, and residential areas, other vegetation is occasionally represented. The methodology discussed here produces raw modeled data. It is recommended that prior to use in most applications this raw tree cover product be additionally filtered or masked to eliminate false detections which often occur adjacent to agricultural areas and roads. For species-specific applications, an additional modeling phase is necessary to either eliminate tree cover detections likely to be species other than the target, or to model species importance values associated with each tree occurrence. Title: Tree Cover Mapping for Assessing Greater Sage-Grouse Habitat in Eastern Oregon Author: Nielsen, Eric M., Noone, Matthew D. Year: 2014 We used a predictive model to map canopy cover of vegetation over seven feet in height ("tall woody vegetation") at 30-meter resolution over nearly 29 million acres within and adjacent to the range of the greater sage-grouse in Oregon (Figure 1). Texture measures computed at various resolutions from color-infrared aerial photography provided the main source of predictor data used to produce the map. Canopy cover was treated as a categorical variable using six cover classes: absent (cover class C0), present at less than 4% (C1), 4 – 10% (C2), 10 – 20% (C3), 20 – 50% (C4), and 50% and over (C5). The map is referenced to conditions in the years 2011 and 2012. Although the specific target of the mapping was western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis), our reference data did not permit separating juniper from other tall woody vegetation during the predictive modeling process. The majority of the tall woody vegetation within the project area is western juniper. However, in high elevation regions, riparian, wetland, and residential areas, other vegetation is occasionally represented. The methodology discussed here produces raw modeled data. It is recommended that prior to use in most applications this raw tree cover product be additionally filtered or masked to eliminate false detections which often occur adjacent to agricultural areas and roads. For species-specific applications, an additional modeling phase is necessary to either eliminate tree cover detections likely to be species other than the target, or to model species importance values associated with each tree occurrence. Close

• 22. [Article] Global Conservation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services

  Habitat destruction has driven much of the current biodiversity extinction crisis, and it compromises the essential benefits, or ecosystem services, that humans derive from functioning ecosystems. Securing ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Global Conservation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Author: Turner, Will R., Brandon, Katrina, Brooks, Thomas M., Costanza, Robert Year: 2007 Habitat destruction has driven much of the current biodiversity extinction crisis, and it compromises the essential benefits, or ecosystem services, that humans derive from functioning ecosystems. Securing both species and ecosystem services might be accomplished with common solutions. Yet it is unknown whether these two major conservation objectives coincide broadly enough worldwide to enable global strategies for both goals to gain synergy. In this article, we assess the concordance between these two objectives, explore how the concordance varies across different regions, and examine the global potential for safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services simultaneously. We find that published global priority maps for biodiversity conservation harbor a disproportionate share of estimated terrestrial ecosystem service value (ESV). Overlap of biodiversity priorities and ESV varies among regions, and in areas that have high biodiversity priority but low ESV, specialized conservation approaches are necessary. Overall, however, our findings suggest opportunities for safeguarding both biodiversity and ecosystem services. Sensitivity analyses indicate that results are robust to known limitations of available ESV data. Capitalizing on these opportunities will require the identification of synergies at fine scales, and the development of economic and policy tools to exploit them. Title: Global Conservation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Author: Turner, Will R., Brandon, Katrina, Brooks, Thomas M., Costanza, Robert Year: 2007 Habitat destruction has driven much of the current biodiversity extinction crisis, and it compromises the essential benefits, or ecosystem services, that humans derive from functioning ecosystems. Securing both species and ecosystem services might be accomplished with common solutions. Yet it is unknown whether these two major conservation objectives coincide broadly enough worldwide to enable global strategies for both goals to gain synergy. In this article, we assess the concordance between these two objectives, explore how the concordance varies across different regions, and examine the global potential for safeguarding biodiversity and ecosystem services simultaneously. We find that published global priority maps for biodiversity conservation harbor a disproportionate share of estimated terrestrial ecosystem service value (ESV). Overlap of biodiversity priorities and ESV varies among regions, and in areas that have high biodiversity priority but low ESV, specialized conservation approaches are necessary. Overall, however, our findings suggest opportunities for safeguarding both biodiversity and ecosystem services. Sensitivity analyses indicate that results are robust to known limitations of available ESV data. Capitalizing on these opportunities will require the identification of synergies at fine scales, and the development of economic and policy tools to exploit them. Close

• 23. [Article] Economic Approach to Fisheries Management and Allocation With Short Run Diminishing Stocks

  Abstract only.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Economic Approach to Fisheries Management and Allocation With Short Run Diminishing Stocks Author: McLeod, Paul, Lindner, Robert, McElroy, Seamus Abstract only. Title: Economic Approach to Fisheries Management and Allocation With Short Run Diminishing Stocks Author: McLeod, Paul, Lindner, Robert, McElroy, Seamus Abstract only. Close

• 24. [Article] Modeling innovativeness in consumer products with the influence of environmental sustainability

  This thesis is the result of two research publications, which together form a framework for the evaluation of product innovativeness with potential future applications to early design. Innovation is a ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Modeling innovativeness in consumer products with the influence of environmental sustainability Author: Gilchrist, Brady This thesis is the result of two research publications, which together form a framework for the evaluation of product innovativeness with potential future applications to early design. Innovation is a challenging concept to quantify. Experts seemingly have a grasp of what innovation is when they see it, however this evaluation is highly subjective. To date, there is no accurate way of measuring a product's innovativeness. The research presented herein outlines a method to quantify product innovativeness based on three latent, or unobserved, variables. These latent variables were calculated based on several product attributes. The values of these measurable product attributes were associated with the probability that a product was selected as innovative. One attribute, product sustainability, is measured by environmental impact. As there was no environmental impact data available for the products used to generate the latent variable model, experiments were designed to collect such data. Life cycle assessment was performed on the products, as well as several other pairs of innovative and common products. These product's environmental impacts were compared at a high level with the entire product's impact, as well as at a more abstract level, with the functions and flows of each product. It was found that innovative products tend to have a higher environmental impact, which was concentrated in a small number of functions. With functional environmental impacts calculated, it will be possible to evaluate the environmental impact of designs during the conceptual stages of design, when only a functional model is available. In addition, the framework for evaluating product innovativeness, using a latent variable model, can be used during the original design process to evaluate how innovative concepts or designs are. Together, these two evaluations have the capability of producing innovative and more sustainable products. Future directions for this research include the application of the framework in an original design to determine whether more innovative concepts can be generated. Additionally, environmental impacts of conceptual designs and functional architectures can be estimated to determine which concepts to pursue in detailed design. Comparing alternatives in functional designs will help to determine the conceptual design with the lowest environmental impact to pursue in detailed design. Title: Modeling innovativeness in consumer products with the influence of environmental sustainability Author: Gilchrist, Brady This thesis is the result of two research publications, which together form a framework for the evaluation of product innovativeness with potential future applications to early design. Innovation is a challenging concept to quantify. Experts seemingly have a grasp of what innovation is when they see it, however this evaluation is highly subjective. To date, there is no accurate way of measuring a product's innovativeness. The research presented herein outlines a method to quantify product innovativeness based on three latent, or unobserved, variables. These latent variables were calculated based on several product attributes. The values of these measurable product attributes were associated with the probability that a product was selected as innovative. One attribute, product sustainability, is measured by environmental impact. As there was no environmental impact data available for the products used to generate the latent variable model, experiments were designed to collect such data. Life cycle assessment was performed on the products, as well as several other pairs of innovative and common products. These product's environmental impacts were compared at a high level with the entire product's impact, as well as at a more abstract level, with the functions and flows of each product. It was found that innovative products tend to have a higher environmental impact, which was concentrated in a small number of functions. With functional environmental impacts calculated, it will be possible to evaluate the environmental impact of designs during the conceptual stages of design, when only a functional model is available. In addition, the framework for evaluating product innovativeness, using a latent variable model, can be used during the original design process to evaluate how innovative concepts or designs are. Together, these two evaluations have the capability of producing innovative and more sustainable products. Future directions for this research include the application of the framework in an original design to determine whether more innovative concepts can be generated. Additionally, environmental impacts of conceptual designs and functional architectures can be estimated to determine which concepts to pursue in detailed design. Comparing alternatives in functional designs will help to determine the conceptual design with the lowest environmental impact to pursue in detailed design. Close