Article

 

DETERMINANTS OF PARTICIPATION IN ACCELERATED VEHICLE-RETIREMENT PROGRAMS: AN OPTION VALUE MODEL OF THE SCRAPPAGE DECISION

by

Michele Moretto, University of Padua and Fondazione ENI Enrico Mattei

JEL classification : H510, H530, I190, L620, O130, Q210

Abstract

Unlike the optimal behaviour of vehicle owners in deciding to participate or not in a scrapping program, the irreversibility generally involved in a decision to scrap a car and the underlying value of waiting for new information about the profitability of such a change, which may substantially affect the scrapping time, are not modeled correctly in the literature. The article develops a framework that does not have the unfavorable characteristics of the previous work in the area to investigate the ability of a vehicle-retirement program to attract old cars by calibrating a simple stochastic owner’s decision model that accounts for this option value insight.

 

 

TIME SERIES ANALYSIS OF MONTHLY SO2 AIR POLLUTION IN THE GREATER ATHENS AREA

by

Dikaios Tserkezos, University of Crete

JEL classification : C810, I180, I310, Q250

Abstract

This study attempts to examine the diachronic analysis of Air Pollution in the Greater Athens area, using monthly data of a ten years period (1984 - 1994). Results show that there is a possibility of using time series in the analysis of diachronic development of SO2 air pollution in the above area.

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION EFFECTS ON THE EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS OF FOREST TREES

by

F.A. Aravanopoulos, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

JEL classification : Q290

Abstract

Environmental pollution is becoming a selective force in the evolution of forest trees. In this paper, the specific effects of environmental pollution on the major causes of evolution, namely genetic drift, gene migration, mutations and natural selection, are being addressed. Discussion examines the conceptual consequences and detectable outcomes of environmental pollution on evolutionary forces. Pollution effects on the dynamics of forest tree populations and on the evolutionary genetics of forest trees are presented in the frame of the distinct reproductive biology and genetic structure of conifers and perennial woody angiosperms. Some particular theoretical aspects along with pertinent examples from already published research are examined, too.

 

 

DEGRADATION OF MEDITERRANEAN FOREST ECOSYSTEMS AND SILVICULTURAL MEASURES FOR THEIR RESTORATION

by

Ath. Hatzistathis, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki

P. Gkanatsas, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki

T. Tsitsoni, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki

Th. Zagas, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki

JEL classification : Q290

Abstract

Mediterranean ecosystems suffered and suffer a lot from: deforestation, overexploitation, overgrazing, change of land use and wild fires. As it is known in forest ecosystems the cycle of energy’s flow as well as that of the nutrient elements, are strongly interconnected so, with the harvesting of biomass a part of nutrients are removed and lost from the ecosystem. For this reason, we must always remember that the preservation of the ecological balance depends strongly on the amount and the composition of the biomass which we take from the ecosystem. The article demonstrates that the scientific exploitation of forest ecosystems must be based on the principle of sustainability and that this principle presupposes two other principles: a) the principle of preservation of ecological balance of the ecosystem and b) the principle of conservation of soil productivity.

 

 

CONCLUSIONS FROM THE REFORESTATION IN GREECE AND PERSPECTIVES

by

A. Hatzistahis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

G. Goudelis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Th. Zagas, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

JEL classification : Q290

Abstract

Reforestation started post-war in Greece and had a protective-beneficial character. Following tis, important efforts have taken place aiming at restoration of degradated oak and evergreen broadleaves forests as well as at wood production. The data and the analysis show that the results were very good in the oak and beech zones, but not so good for the zone of evergreen broadleaves and particularly in cases in which exotic forest species were used. For this reason the selection of the proper forest species is the most important target. In order to increase the resistance and the ecological stability of this pine monoculture a proper mixing with other resistant species, mainly broadleaves, as well as a systematical silvicultural treatment based on the principle of sustainability is needed.

 

 

FRESHWATER, FRESHWATER ALLOCATION PROBLEMS AND MECHANISMS, AND THE "FIRST GIVE - THEN TAKE" PRINCIPLE

by

Dimitrios A Giannias, University of Crete

JEL classification : D210, D620, Q250

Abstract

Water is the most abundant resource on Earth and the problems associated with its allocation plenty. Various policies and procedures have been traditionally available to effectively solve these problems which are some kind of externality. The "first give - then take" principle suggests a new way to internalise externalises in freshwater allocation problems. This paper introduces explicitly freshwater quantity and quality in the analysis, investigates the optimality properties of the principle and overviews all relevant trends, practices, alternative solutions, and expected costs and benefits of freshwater management.

 

 

EVALUATION OF DOMESTIC WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS WITH EMPHASIS THE DISPOSAL OF TREATED EFFLUENT AND SLUDGE

by

A.N. Angelakis, National Foundation for Agricultural Research

K. Tsagarakis, National Foundation for Agricultural Research

JEL classification : D590, Q250, Q290

Abstract

The number of Domestic Wastewater Treatment Plants (DWTP) in Greece has increased rapidly during the last decade. There is in progress an extensive survey in all over Greece considering all existing plants, which are in operation or under construction, during local visits and completing a questionnaire and collecting various data related to the construction, operation and maintenance, the regional water balance, the availability of arable land for irrigation, the type of disposal sites for the effluent and sludge used, the possibility for groundwater recharge, the quality of the effluent and so on. With this analysis and evaluation of the data collected from 115 DWTPs significant and useful information, related to the disposal sites of effluent and sludge and the potential for wastewater effluent reuse are presented.

 

 

AN OVERVIEW ON THE QUALITY OF GREEK FRESHWATERS (RIVERS AND LAKES)

by

I.Bertahas, National Centre for Marine Research

N.Th. Skoulikidis, National Centre for Marine Research

Th. Kousouris, National Centre for Marine Research

JEL classification : Q250

Abstract

The dominant force of chemical weathering in Greek peninsula, the carbonation reaction, the dry climate and humans’ activities are responsible for the high mineralisation of Greek river waters. Based on some pollutant parameters, it is shown that the main part of Greek rivers are considered to be intermediate polluted, while only a few of them show significant human impact. The chemical character of Greek lakes is attributed to anthropogenic influences, climatic and hydrological features, geomorphologic and geologic factors and morphometric characteristics. The main part of the lakes are eutrophic. They show summer thermal stratification, with anoxic hypolimnetic conditions especially the shallow ones. The main part of the lakes are intermediate polluted and are characterised by phosphorus-limited photosynthesis.