Michalis Skourtos | Agricultural University of Athens (original) (raw)

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Papers by Michalis Skourtos

Research paper thumbnail of Implementation of the European Water Framework Directive: procedures and a simple model for the identification of the most cost-effective measures in eutrophicated catchments

Water Policy, 2010

According to the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) shou... more According to the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) should be used for measuring the cost and the environmental effectiveness of a measure in water quality management. The purpose of this paper is to argue that, beyond the calculation of the cost efficiency of the measures, additional information related to the cost and the environmental characteristics is required. Such information provides important data for the decision makers to assess the feasibility of measures and renders the application of CEA more reliable. Moreover, considering that the WFD requires the encouragement of the active involvement of the stakeholders in the planning processes, a practical algorithm could be used for a user-friendly presentation and discussion of CEA results. Furthermore, if the evaluated measures are independent of each other, a simple model of integer programming solved by a simple software program is proposed as an alternative mathematical tool for eva...

Research paper thumbnail of An integrated approach to watershed management within the DPSIR framework: Axios River catchment and Thermaikos Gulf

The coastal zone of the inner Thermaikos Gulf has been influenced by eutrophication during the pa... more The coastal zone of the inner Thermaikos Gulf has been influenced by eutrophication during the past decades.

Research paper thumbnail of Valuation of natural marine ecosystems: an economic perspective

Environmental Science & Policy, 2009

K. Remoundou). a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m journal homepage: ... more K. Remoundou). a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/envsci 1462-9011/$ -see front matter #

Research paper thumbnail of Shared Waters—shared Responsibility. Application of the Principles of Fairness for Burden Sharing in the Mediterranean

International Environmental Agreements-politics Law and Economics, 2006

The paper addresses the issue of burden sharing within the context of the Barcelona Convention fo... more The paper addresses the issue of burden sharing within the context of the Barcelona Convention for the protection of the Mediterranean. The initial premise is that the perceived fairness of burden sharing rules is an important factor in the success of multilateral environmental agreements. We review briefly the basic ideas behind the fairness and equity debate in global environmental affairs before we apply a number of widely accepted equity rules in the case of Mediterranean marine protection. We derive arithmetic examples to illustrate the application of the rules and compare them in terms of their political attractiveness, cost-effectiveness and practical feasibility. It is shown that the simple rule of egalitarian justice scores high on all aspects.

Research paper thumbnail of An integrated approach to watershed management within the DPSIR framework: Axios River catchment and Thermaikos Gulf

Regional Environmental Change, 2005

Research paper thumbnail of Environmental Regulation and Costs of Information: Some Indications from Greek Industry

Journal of Environmental Management, 1996

ABSTRACT The paper discusses the problem of indirect costs of environmental regulation as informa... more ABSTRACT The paper discusses the problem of indirect costs of environmental regulation as information costs and their role in the compliance of firms. After reviewing the relevant literature, a typology of indirect cost of implementation is proposed which aims at the separation of various components of the information cost. The core of the empirical study includes some indications about the significance of the indirect costs of present air pollution abatement policies to the Greek industry. Conclusions are drawn on the role of information costs in shaping the profile of environmental compliance in Greece.

Research paper thumbnail of Research needs for incorporating the ecosystem service approach into EU biodiversity conservation policy

Biodiversity and Conservation, 2010

Using a range of different methods including extensive reviews, workshops and an electronic confe... more Using a range of different methods including extensive reviews, workshops and an electronic conference, 70 key research recommendations and 12 priority research needs to integrate the ecosystem services approach into biodiversity conservation policy and funding were identified by a cross-disciplinary group of over 100 scientists and 50 stakeholders, including research funders and policy-makers. These recommendations focus on the ecological underpinning of ecosystem services, drivers that affect ecosystems and their services, biological traits and ecosystem services, the valuation of ecosystem services, spatial and temporal scales in ecosystem service assessment, indicators of ecosystem services, and habitat management, conservation policy and ecosystem services. The recommendations in this paper help steer the research agenda on ecosystem services into policy-relevant areas, agreed upon by funders, researchers and policy-makers. This research agenda will only succeed with increased collaboration between researchers across disciplines, thereby providing a challenge to the research community and research funders to work in new, interdisciplinary ways.

Research paper thumbnail of Implementation of the European Water Framework Directive: procedures and a simple model for the identification of the most cost-effective measures in eutrophicated catchments

Water Policy, 2010

ABSTRACT According to the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), cost-effectiveness analysis (... more ABSTRACT According to the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) should be used for measuring the cost and the environmental effectiveness of a measure in water quality management. The purpose of this paper is to argue that, beyond the calculation of the cost efficiency of the measures, additional information related to the cost and the environmental characteristics is required. Such information provides important data for the decision makers to assess the feasibility of measures and renders the application of CEA more reliable. Moreover, considering that the WFD requires the encouragement of the active involvement of the stakeholders in the planning processes, a practical algorithm could be used for a user-friendly presentation and discussion of CEA results. Furthermore, if the evaluated measures are independent of each other, a simple model of integer programming solved by a simple software program is proposed as an alternative mathematical tool for evaluating a combined set of measures which meet a predetermined environmental objective at the lowest cost.

Research paper thumbnail of Valuation of natural marine ecosystems: an economic perspective

Environmental Science & Policy, 2009

K. Remoundou). a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m journal homepage: ... more K. Remoundou). a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/envsci 1462-9011/$ -see front matter #

Research paper thumbnail of Public Perception and Valuation of UV Health Risks: A Comparison Across Low and High Risk Countries (CSERGE working paper GEC 01-05

Abstract. The paper confirms public understanding of scientific evidence regarding the health ris... more Abstract. The paper confirms public understanding of scientific evidence regarding the health risks of sunbathing. Many people value having a tan, but know that getting one is risky. Public awareness, understanding and perception of the health risks of sunbathing ...

Research paper thumbnail of Ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation: concepts and a glossary

Biodiversity and Conservation, 2010

The RUBICODE project draws on expertise from a range of disciplines to develop and integrate fram... more The RUBICODE project draws on expertise from a range of disciplines to develop and integrate frameworks for assessing the impacts of environmental change on ecosystem service provision, and for rationalising biodiversity conservation in that light. With such diverse expertise and concepts involved, interested parties will not be familiar with all the key terminology. This paper defines the terms as used within the project and, where useful, discusses some reasoning behind the definitions. Terms are grouped by concept rather than being listed alphabetically.

Research paper thumbnail of Valuing ecosystem services on the basis of service-providing units: A potential approach to address the ‘endpoint problem’ and improve stated preference methods

Ecological Economics, 2010

Non-market valuation approaches for estimating the social value of biodiversity and individual sp... more Non-market valuation approaches for estimating the social value of biodiversity and individual species need to enhance their policy relevance. The concept of service-providing unit (SPU) may help achieve this objective by promoting the systematic quantification of the key components of nature that provide services for human wellbeing. The present paper is the first application of the SPU concept in stated preference surveys. The object of valuation is the highly endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus). A split-sample is used testing the hypotheses that the SPU framework would: 1) minimize the part of non-use values that is due to a 'warm glow' effect and therefore 2) encourage respondents in reallocating part of their total economic value towards use values. Our results indicate that the difference between the means of existence values in the two sub-samples is statistically insignificant: in both cases respondents attribute a significant percentage of their total economic value to existence value. On the other hand though, the non-use value component of WTP decreases in the sub-sample with SPU in relation to the sub-sample without it. We conclude that existence values in our sample are based on solid preferences related to the species since they persisted in both sub-samples.

Research paper thumbnail of Reviewing the dynamics of economic values and preferences for ecosystem goods and services

Biodiversity and Conservation, 2010

The present paper addresses the issue of a dynamic approach to biodiversity conservation by focus... more The present paper addresses the issue of a dynamic approach to biodiversity conservation by focusing on published evidence on the dynamics of economic values and preferences for ecosystem goods and services. Empirical evidence referring to the dynamics of ecosystem values was identified as both demand-driven and supply-driven value dynamics. A survey of temporal reliability tests revealed considerable differences in the time span examined (2 weeks to 20 years). The evidence shows that ecosystem value estimates, as expressed through mean Willingness To Pay remain significantly stable in the time span of 2 weeks to 5 years, but this is not the case for time periods of 20 years. For longer periods, both a weak and strong version of preference evolution were examined; here the elements of cultural transmission and evolutionary approaches make the task of modelling the dynamics of preferences rather complex. Integrated models and dynamic bioeconomic models were examined as representative approaches to supply-driven dynamics. These approaches share a role in pushing our understanding of complex systems and alerting both researchers and policy makers to the dangers of oversimplification. The reviewed models are nevertheless normative in nature in the sense that they describe how the complex socio-ecological systems should evolve over time in order to fulfil the requirements of efficiency and sustainability. Mixing of methods and pooling of data seems the only way forward. In this respect, the potential of systematic and formalised interdisciplinary research lies in the integration of insights, methods and data drawn from natural and social sciences.

Research paper thumbnail of A classification approach of cost effective management measures for the improvement of watershed quality

Ocean & Coastal Management, 2003

The purpose of this paper is to provide a classification of the literature concerning the applica... more The purpose of this paper is to provide a classification of the literature concerning the application of the cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) to evaluate management measures for the improvement of watershed quality. This literature focuses on eutrophication from agricultural runoff and industrial activities. The knowledge of the cost-environmental effectiveness of a management practice/technique or of a market-based instrument (economic instruments, environmental

Research paper thumbnail of Implementation of the European Water Framework Directive: procedures and a simple model for the identification of the most cost-effective measures in eutrophicated catchments

Water Policy, 2010

According to the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) shou... more According to the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) should be used for measuring the cost and the environmental effectiveness of a measure in water quality management. The purpose of this paper is to argue that, beyond the calculation of the cost efficiency of the measures, additional information related to the cost and the environmental characteristics is required. Such information provides important data for the decision makers to assess the feasibility of measures and renders the application of CEA more reliable. Moreover, considering that the WFD requires the encouragement of the active involvement of the stakeholders in the planning processes, a practical algorithm could be used for a user-friendly presentation and discussion of CEA results. Furthermore, if the evaluated measures are independent of each other, a simple model of integer programming solved by a simple software program is proposed as an alternative mathematical tool for eva...

Research paper thumbnail of An integrated approach to watershed management within the DPSIR framework: Axios River catchment and Thermaikos Gulf

The coastal zone of the inner Thermaikos Gulf has been influenced by eutrophication during the pa... more The coastal zone of the inner Thermaikos Gulf has been influenced by eutrophication during the past decades.

Research paper thumbnail of Valuation of natural marine ecosystems: an economic perspective

Environmental Science & Policy, 2009

K. Remoundou). a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m journal homepage: ... more K. Remoundou). a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/envsci 1462-9011/$ -see front matter #

Research paper thumbnail of Shared Waters—shared Responsibility. Application of the Principles of Fairness for Burden Sharing in the Mediterranean

International Environmental Agreements-politics Law and Economics, 2006

The paper addresses the issue of burden sharing within the context of the Barcelona Convention fo... more The paper addresses the issue of burden sharing within the context of the Barcelona Convention for the protection of the Mediterranean. The initial premise is that the perceived fairness of burden sharing rules is an important factor in the success of multilateral environmental agreements. We review briefly the basic ideas behind the fairness and equity debate in global environmental affairs before we apply a number of widely accepted equity rules in the case of Mediterranean marine protection. We derive arithmetic examples to illustrate the application of the rules and compare them in terms of their political attractiveness, cost-effectiveness and practical feasibility. It is shown that the simple rule of egalitarian justice scores high on all aspects.

Research paper thumbnail of An integrated approach to watershed management within the DPSIR framework: Axios River catchment and Thermaikos Gulf

Regional Environmental Change, 2005

Research paper thumbnail of Environmental Regulation and Costs of Information: Some Indications from Greek Industry

Journal of Environmental Management, 1996

ABSTRACT The paper discusses the problem of indirect costs of environmental regulation as informa... more ABSTRACT The paper discusses the problem of indirect costs of environmental regulation as information costs and their role in the compliance of firms. After reviewing the relevant literature, a typology of indirect cost of implementation is proposed which aims at the separation of various components of the information cost. The core of the empirical study includes some indications about the significance of the indirect costs of present air pollution abatement policies to the Greek industry. Conclusions are drawn on the role of information costs in shaping the profile of environmental compliance in Greece.

Research paper thumbnail of Research needs for incorporating the ecosystem service approach into EU biodiversity conservation policy

Biodiversity and Conservation, 2010

Using a range of different methods including extensive reviews, workshops and an electronic confe... more Using a range of different methods including extensive reviews, workshops and an electronic conference, 70 key research recommendations and 12 priority research needs to integrate the ecosystem services approach into biodiversity conservation policy and funding were identified by a cross-disciplinary group of over 100 scientists and 50 stakeholders, including research funders and policy-makers. These recommendations focus on the ecological underpinning of ecosystem services, drivers that affect ecosystems and their services, biological traits and ecosystem services, the valuation of ecosystem services, spatial and temporal scales in ecosystem service assessment, indicators of ecosystem services, and habitat management, conservation policy and ecosystem services. The recommendations in this paper help steer the research agenda on ecosystem services into policy-relevant areas, agreed upon by funders, researchers and policy-makers. This research agenda will only succeed with increased collaboration between researchers across disciplines, thereby providing a challenge to the research community and research funders to work in new, interdisciplinary ways.

Research paper thumbnail of Implementation of the European Water Framework Directive: procedures and a simple model for the identification of the most cost-effective measures in eutrophicated catchments

Water Policy, 2010

ABSTRACT According to the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), cost-effectiveness analysis (... more ABSTRACT According to the European Water Framework Directive (WFD), cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) should be used for measuring the cost and the environmental effectiveness of a measure in water quality management. The purpose of this paper is to argue that, beyond the calculation of the cost efficiency of the measures, additional information related to the cost and the environmental characteristics is required. Such information provides important data for the decision makers to assess the feasibility of measures and renders the application of CEA more reliable. Moreover, considering that the WFD requires the encouragement of the active involvement of the stakeholders in the planning processes, a practical algorithm could be used for a user-friendly presentation and discussion of CEA results. Furthermore, if the evaluated measures are independent of each other, a simple model of integer programming solved by a simple software program is proposed as an alternative mathematical tool for evaluating a combined set of measures which meet a predetermined environmental objective at the lowest cost.

Research paper thumbnail of Valuation of natural marine ecosystems: an economic perspective

Environmental Science & Policy, 2009

K. Remoundou). a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m journal homepage: ... more K. Remoundou). a v a i l a b l e a t w w w . s c i e n c e d i r e c t . c o m journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/envsci 1462-9011/$ -see front matter #

Research paper thumbnail of Public Perception and Valuation of UV Health Risks: A Comparison Across Low and High Risk Countries (CSERGE working paper GEC 01-05

Abstract. The paper confirms public understanding of scientific evidence regarding the health ris... more Abstract. The paper confirms public understanding of scientific evidence regarding the health risks of sunbathing. Many people value having a tan, but know that getting one is risky. Public awareness, understanding and perception of the health risks of sunbathing ...

Research paper thumbnail of Ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation: concepts and a glossary

Biodiversity and Conservation, 2010

The RUBICODE project draws on expertise from a range of disciplines to develop and integrate fram... more The RUBICODE project draws on expertise from a range of disciplines to develop and integrate frameworks for assessing the impacts of environmental change on ecosystem service provision, and for rationalising biodiversity conservation in that light. With such diverse expertise and concepts involved, interested parties will not be familiar with all the key terminology. This paper defines the terms as used within the project and, where useful, discusses some reasoning behind the definitions. Terms are grouped by concept rather than being listed alphabetically.

Research paper thumbnail of Valuing ecosystem services on the basis of service-providing units: A potential approach to address the ‘endpoint problem’ and improve stated preference methods

Ecological Economics, 2010

Non-market valuation approaches for estimating the social value of biodiversity and individual sp... more Non-market valuation approaches for estimating the social value of biodiversity and individual species need to enhance their policy relevance. The concept of service-providing unit (SPU) may help achieve this objective by promoting the systematic quantification of the key components of nature that provide services for human wellbeing. The present paper is the first application of the SPU concept in stated preference surveys. The object of valuation is the highly endangered Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus). A split-sample is used testing the hypotheses that the SPU framework would: 1) minimize the part of non-use values that is due to a 'warm glow' effect and therefore 2) encourage respondents in reallocating part of their total economic value towards use values. Our results indicate that the difference between the means of existence values in the two sub-samples is statistically insignificant: in both cases respondents attribute a significant percentage of their total economic value to existence value. On the other hand though, the non-use value component of WTP decreases in the sub-sample with SPU in relation to the sub-sample without it. We conclude that existence values in our sample are based on solid preferences related to the species since they persisted in both sub-samples.

Research paper thumbnail of Reviewing the dynamics of economic values and preferences for ecosystem goods and services

Biodiversity and Conservation, 2010

The present paper addresses the issue of a dynamic approach to biodiversity conservation by focus... more The present paper addresses the issue of a dynamic approach to biodiversity conservation by focusing on published evidence on the dynamics of economic values and preferences for ecosystem goods and services. Empirical evidence referring to the dynamics of ecosystem values was identified as both demand-driven and supply-driven value dynamics. A survey of temporal reliability tests revealed considerable differences in the time span examined (2 weeks to 20 years). The evidence shows that ecosystem value estimates, as expressed through mean Willingness To Pay remain significantly stable in the time span of 2 weeks to 5 years, but this is not the case for time periods of 20 years. For longer periods, both a weak and strong version of preference evolution were examined; here the elements of cultural transmission and evolutionary approaches make the task of modelling the dynamics of preferences rather complex. Integrated models and dynamic bioeconomic models were examined as representative approaches to supply-driven dynamics. These approaches share a role in pushing our understanding of complex systems and alerting both researchers and policy makers to the dangers of oversimplification. The reviewed models are nevertheless normative in nature in the sense that they describe how the complex socio-ecological systems should evolve over time in order to fulfil the requirements of efficiency and sustainability. Mixing of methods and pooling of data seems the only way forward. In this respect, the potential of systematic and formalised interdisciplinary research lies in the integration of insights, methods and data drawn from natural and social sciences.

Research paper thumbnail of A classification approach of cost effective management measures for the improvement of watershed quality

Ocean & Coastal Management, 2003

The purpose of this paper is to provide a classification of the literature concerning the applica... more The purpose of this paper is to provide a classification of the literature concerning the application of the cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) to evaluate management measures for the improvement of watershed quality. This literature focuses on eutrophication from agricultural runoff and industrial activities. The knowledge of the cost-environmental effectiveness of a management practice/technique or of a market-based instrument (economic instruments, environmental