Destination Area: Global Systems Science (GSS)
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GSS fosters transdisciplinary study of the dynamic interplay between natural and social systems. Faculty in this area collaborate to discover creative solutions to critical social problems emergent from human activity and environmental change, in areas such as freshwater and coastal water systems, rural environments, infectious disease, and food production and safety. Work in this area also embraces equity in the human condition by seeking the equitable distribution and availability of physical safety and well-being, psychological well-being, respect for human dignity, and access to crucial material and social resources throughout the world’s diverse communities.
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Browsing Destination Area: Global Systems Science (GSS) by Department "Agricultural and Applied Economics"
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- Assessing the Impact of the CIP GenebankBrenal-Galeano, Vivian; Shirey, Emma; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Anglin, Noelle L.; Ellis, David; Hareau, Guy; Pradel, Willy; Norton, George W. (2018-10-03)Preserving plant diversity is a critical objective of a genebank. Genebanks provide breeding programs with new and crucial traits that can be incorporated into crops. Future Food security relies on these traits, that can improve resilience to a changing environment and new pests.
- Bridging the Information Gap with Cost-Effective Dissemination Strategies: The Case of Integrated Pest Management in BangladeshHarris, Leah M.; Norton, George W.; Rezaul Karim, A.N.M.; Alwang, Jeffrey R.; Taylor, Daniel B. (Southern Agricultural Economics Association, 2013)Cost-effective extension strategies are needed to promote widespread adoption of agricultural technologies in developing countries. Integrated pest management (IPM) practices, for example, can offer economic, health, and environmental benefits but remain largely underused. This study evaluates the current IPM dissemination program implemented by the Bangladesh Department of Agricultural Extension and uses a linear programming model to examine alternative strategies to improve IPM adoption. Results suggest that technology transfer programs may increase their impact by reallocating funding from intensive but costly interpersonal communication methods (i.e., farmer field schools) to less intensive methods (i.e., mass media and field days) that reach broader audiences.
- Codex in Motion: Food Safety Standard Setting and Impacts on Developing Countries' Agricultural ExportsWieck, Christine; Grant, Jason H. (2021-01-12)The Codex Alimentarius, or 'food code', was established to set international standards to ensure the safety and quality of food and agricultural products while at the same time creating a level playing field for international trade. However, less is known about the duration of the standards setting process in the Codex committees, and the extent to which trade is impacted when standards are delayed versus cases in which the adoption of standards was accelerated. This article reviews and evaluates three case studies in which Codex standards were rapidly adopted: Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) levels in cinnamon; melamine standards for milk and powder; and Codex guidance procedures in the case of melons. Two recent cases in which Codex standards have been held up are also considered: maximum levels of aflatoxins in ready-to-eat peanuts; and cadmium in chocolate. We find evidence that accelerated adoption of Codex standards is an important catalyst facilitating exports by some developing countries. Delays and non-adoption of Codex standards, on the other hand, can lead to significant export underperformance in certain countries and regions. Thus, Codex members would do well to reflect on the positive trade flow benefits that can be realised among developing countries who depend on international standards for export earnings.
- Feedback Between Behavioral Adaptations and Disease DynamicsChen, Jiangzhuo; Marathe, Achla; Marathe, Madhav V. (Springer Nature, 2018-08-20)We study the feedback processes between individual behavior, disease prevalence, interventions and social networks during an influenza pandemic when a limited stockpile of antivirals is shared between the private and the public sectors. An economic model that uses prevalence-elastic demand for interventions is combined with a detailed social network and a disease propagation model to understand the feedback mechanism between epidemic dynamics, market behavior, individual perceptions, and the social network. An urban and a rural region are simulated to assess the robustness of results. Results show that an optimal split between the private and public sectors can be reached to contain the disease but the accessibility of antivirals from the private sector is skewed towards the richest income quartile. Also, larger allocations to the private sector result in wastage where individuals who do not need it are able to purchase it but who need it cannot afford it. Disease prevalence increases with household size and total contact time but not by degree in the social network, whereas wastage of antivirals decreases with degree and contact time. The best utilization of drugs is achieved when individuals with high contact time use them, who tend to be the school-aged children of large families.
- From concept to practice to policy: modeling coupled natural and human systems in lake catchmentsCobourn, Kelly M.; Carey, Cayelan C.; Boyle, Kevin J.; Duffy, Christopher J.; Dugan, Hilary A.; Farrell, Kaitlin J.; Fitchett, Leah Lynn; Hanson, Paul C.; Hart, Julia A.; Henson, Virginia Reilly; Hetherington, Amy L.; Kemanian, Armen R.; Rudstam, Lars G.; Shu, Lele; Soranno, Patricia A.; Sorice, Michael G.; Stachelek, Joseph; Ward, Nicole K.; Weathers, Kathleen C.; Weng, Weizhe; Zhang, Yu (Ecological Society of America, 2018-05-03)Recent debate over the scope of the U.S. Clean Water Act underscores the need to develop a robust body of scientific work that defines the connectivity between freshwater systems and people. Coupled natural and human systems (CNHS) modeling is one tool that can be used to study the complex, reciprocal linkages between human actions and ecosystem processes. Well‐developed CNHS models exist at a conceptual level, but the mapping of these system representations in practice is limited in capturing these feedbacks. This article presents a paired conceptual–empirical methodology for functionally capturing feedbacks between human and natural systems in freshwater lake catchments, from human actions to the ecosystem and from the ecosystem back to human actions. We address extant challenges in CNHS modeling, which arise from differences in disciplinary approach, model structure, and spatiotemporal resolution, to connect a suite of models. In doing so, we create an integrated, multi‐disciplinary tool that captures diverse processes that operate at multiple scales, including land‐management decision‐making, hydrologic‐solute transport, aquatic nutrient cycling, and civic engagement. In this article, we build on this novel framework to advance cross‐disciplinary dialogue to move CNHS lake‐catchment modeling in a systematic direction and, ultimately, provide a foundation for smart decision‐making and policy.
- Horticultural Growers’ Willingness To Adopt Recycling Of Irrigation WaterCultice, Alyssa; Bosch, Darrell J.; Pease, James W.; Boyle, Kevin J.; Xu, Weibin (Cambridge University Press, 2016)Recycling irrigation water can provide water during periods of drought for horticulture operations and can reduce nonpoint-source pollution, but water recycling increases production costs and can increase risk of disease infestation from waterborne pathogens such as Pythium and Phytophthora. This study of water recycling adoption by horticultural growers in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania finds that the potential for increased disease infestation would reduce growers’ probability of adopting water recycling. Widespread adoption of recycling irrigation water would require government incentives or coercion or growers’ ability to pass cost increases on to customers.
- Impact of demographic disparities in social distancing and vaccination on influenza epidemics in urban and rural regions of the United StatesSingh, Meghendra; Sarkhel, Prasenjit; Kang, Gloria J.; Marathe, Achla; Boyle, Kevin J.; Murray-Tuite, Pamela; Abbas, Kaja M.; Swarup, Samarth (2019-03-04)Background Self-protective behaviors of social distancing and vaccination uptake vary by demographics and affect the transmission dynamics of influenza in the United States. By incorporating the socio-behavioral differences in social distancing and vaccination uptake into mathematical models of influenza transmission dynamics, we can improve our estimates of epidemic outcomes. In this study we analyze the impact of demographic disparities in social distancing and vaccination on influenza epidemics in urban and rural regions of the United States. Methods We conducted a survey of a nationally representative sample of US adults to collect data on their self-protective behaviors, including social distancing and vaccination to protect themselves from influenza infection. We incorporated this data in an agent-based model to simulate the transmission dynamics of influenza in the urban region of Miami Dade county in Florida and the rural region of Montgomery county in Virginia. Results We compare epidemic scenarios wherein the social distancing and vaccination behaviors are uniform versus non-uniform across different demographic subpopulations. We infer that a uniform compliance of social distancing and vaccination uptake among different demographic subpopulations underestimates the severity of the epidemic in comparison to differentiated compliance among different demographic subpopulations. This result holds for both urban and rural regions. Conclusions By taking into account the behavioral differences in social distancing and vaccination uptake among different demographic subpopulations in analysis of influenza epidemics, we provide improved estimates of epidemic outcomes that can assist in improved public health interventions for prevention and control of influenza.
- Impacts of COVID-19 and Price Transmission in US Meat MarketsRamsey, A. Ford; Goodwin, Barry K.; Hahn, William F.; Holt, Matthew T. (2021-05)Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) has caused ongoing disruptions to U.S. meat markets via demand and supply-side shocks. Abnormally high prices have been reported at retail outlets and meat packers have been accused of unfair business practices because of widening price spreads. Processing facilities have experienced COVID-19 outbreaks resulting in shutdowns. Using weekly data on wholesale and retail prices of beef, pork, and poultry, we characterize the time series behavior and dynamic linkages of U.S. meat prices before the COVID-19 pandemic. We model vertical price transmission using both linear and threshold autoregressive (AR) models and vector error correction (VEC) models. With the estimated models, we then compare price movements under COVID-19 to model predictions. All three meat markets are well-integrated and we observe unexpected, large price movements in April and May of 2020. Early COVID-19 related shocks appear to be transitory with prices returning to expected levels at a pace consistent with the speed of transmission prior to the pandemic. This well-functioning market process suggests a degree of resilience in U.S. meat supply chains.
- Obstacles to Widespread Diffusion of IPM in Developing Countries: Lessons From the FieldAlwang, Jeffrey R.; Norton, George W.; Larochelle, Catherine (Entomological Society of America, 2019-04-15)Integrated pest management (IPM) is a way of managing agricultural pests using ecological principles and with minimum damage to the environment and human health. In developing countries, numerous IPM programs have been developed with the intent of increasing yields, reducing costs, and minimizing adverse impacts of pest management. Despite its promise and many millions of dollars being spent on training and diffusion, IPM has not been widely adopted in developing countries. This paper provides evidence about what is known about global adoption, what factors have been identified as obstacles to more widespread adoption, and ways of overcoming these factors. Behavioral economics provides insights that help explain lagging IPM adoption and promises potential for relatively simple solutions. Means of evaluating and implementing behavioral economics approaches are described and some lessons are gleaned from a single study employing these approaches in Ecuador. Implications for broader diffusion are discussed.
- Salt-tolerant rice variety adoption in the Mekong River Delta: Farmer adaptation to sea-level risePaik, SongYi; Dung Thi Phuong Le; Lien Thi Nhu; Mills, Bradford F. (2020-03-16)Rice production in the Mekong River Delta of Vietnam (MRD) is endangered by sea-level rise and an associated increase in the incidence of salinity intrusion. This paper examines the diffusion of salt tolerant rice varieties in the MRD that were promoted through Consortium for Unfavorable Rice Environments (CURE) activities. Factors associated with adoption of CURE-related varieties are estimated using a random utilty model and a dataset of 800 farm households with rice fields in salinity prone areas of the MRD. Results suggest that there has been widespread adoption of CURE-related varieties in salinity-prone areas. Further, multivariate analysis reveals that environment and location characteristics, rather than household characteristics, are the most important determinants of adoption. In particular, CURE-related varieties are more likely to be adopted in high-salinity-risk areas that are not protected by salinity barrier gates. Neighbhors' adoption decisions also strongly influence household decisions to adopt CURE-related varieties. The contracting of mechanization, particularly for land preparation and harvest, requires the coordination of village households in timing of planting, harvest and varietal duration. This coordination appears to extend to choice of CURE-related varieties. Finally, CURE-related varieties and other varieties generate similar net revenues in a year with low salinity exposure, suggesting that CURE-related varieties are a low-cost insurance policy against salinity inundation in high risk areas. Combined, these results highlight the need to address complex factors beyond current economic profits, like environment, community choices, and risk mitigation, when designing technologies and policies that support farmer adaptation to climatic change.
- Scaling participation in payments for ecosystem services programsSorice, Michael G.; Donlan, C. Josh; Boyle, Kevin J.; Weibin, Xu; Gelcich, Stefan (PLOS, 2018-03-09)Payments for ecosystem services programs have become common tools but most have failed to achieve wide-ranging conservation outcomes. The capacity for scale and impact increases when PES programs are designed through the lens of the potential participants, yet this has received little attention in research or practice. Our work with small-scale marine fisheries integrates the social science of PES programs and provides a framework for designing programs that focus a priori on scaling. In addition to payments, desirable nonmonetary program attributes and ecological feedbacks attract a wider range of potential participants into PES programs, including those who have more negative attitudes and lower trust. Designing programs that draw individuals into participating in PES programs is likely the most strategic path to reaching scale. Research should engage in new models of participatory research to understand these dynamics and to design programs that explicitly integrate a broad range of needs, values, and modes of implementation.
- Sensory and Consumer Studies in Plant Breeding: A Guidance for Edamame Development in the U.S.Carneiro, Renata C. V.; Duncan, Susan E.; O'Keefe, Sean F.; Yin, Yun; Neill, Clinton L.; Zhang, Bo (Frontiers, 2020-08-19)Plant breeding is an important discipline to develop food products and improve overall quality, chemical composition, and nutritional value of crops, vegetables, fruits, and nuts, which can be important allies in health promotion. Apples, blueberries, wine grapes, tomatoes, and peanuts are a few examples of food products that were improved in past decades through plant breeding programs in the United States. Recently, edamame (vegetable soybean) has gained special attention from breeders, non-breeder researchers, growers, and consumers, and new edamame varieties are currently being developed for domestic production. As a popular nutritious crop in Asian countries, edamame is increasing in sales and consumption in the United States. Therefore, edamame has great potential to be a profitable alternative crop to replace tobacco farming, whose production and market value have been declining. Until the present date, most published reviews on edamame have focused on its agronomic characteristics. However, understanding consumer expectations, needs, and acceptability for new and improved crops like edamame is vital to guide and sustain their production. It is important that researchers working on plant breeding programs understand and consider the aspects that are relevant for both growers and consumers (e.g., crop productivity, pest and disease resistance, nutritional properties, and sensory attributes). Thus, this review paper aims to integrate available information on sensory quality of edamame and to support its development and production in the United States. This review presents an overview of how sensory evaluation and consumer studies have been used to support plant breeding programs in the development of alternative crops, such as edamame.
- Sustaining the CAADP Momentum: Strategies and Policies to Support Household Resilience to DroughtMills, Bradford F.; Gao, Jianfeng; Kostandini, Gentian; Ruisike, J.; Murray, Anthony G. (2016-04-12)Agriculture is the most important sector in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and will be the hardest hit by climate change. Country agricultural sectors will be impacted by climate change in different ways. But, in most cases, climate change will bring substantial welfare loses, especially to smallholder farmers for whom agriculture is a main source of livelihood. However even without future climate change, current welfare losses from smallholder exposure to drought and rainfall variability are large. Thus, there is an urgent need for the AU and National Governments, through the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP) aligned national strategies and Climate Change Adaption Framework, to roll out tangible local, national, and continental policies that ameliorate adverse effects that current climate variability and future climate change have on vulnerable smallholders. This policy brief identifies strategies and policy interventions that can anticipate and mitigate the impacts that drought, low rainfall and other adverse climatic events have on rural households in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Adaptation strategies include growing drought-resident varieties of crops and use of water retention techniques such as drip irrigation, small dams and community water supply boreholes, as well as diversification of income to off-farm sources. The brief calls on regional organizations, national governments, and development partners to define robust integrated policies and actions that support and augment existing household agricultural and non-agricultural adaptation efforts.
- Willingness to pay to avoid the consumption of pesticide residues in Uganda: An experimental auction approachBonabana-Wabbi, Jackline; Taylor, Daniel B.; Norton, George W. (African Association of Agricultural Economists, 2014)Experimental auctions were used to determine factors affecting the willingness to pay (WTP) of Ugandan rural and urban populations to avoid consuming pesticide residues. Information or type of proxy good did not affect WTP, while education had no effect in the urban population and had a negative effect in the rural population. Male respondents had a higher willingness to pay than female respondents in both samples. Free-riding behaviour was observed in both populations.