Comparative research on the diversity of human activities harmonized with agro-eco resources and the environment

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The main goal of this project is to carry out empirical researches on evaluating the diversity of agriculture and rural society as well as the multi-functionality of ecosystems. To this end, we set up four subjects for analysis, namely, (1) reservation of and interactions among agro-eco resources, (2) the diversity of agricultural and rural activities utilizing agro-eco resources, (3) impacts on the environment resulted from utilizing agro-eco resources, and (4) a sustainability analysis between human activities and agro-ecosystem. We have evaluated such diversity and multi-functionality through the techniques of environmental economics and ecological economics. Additionally, we have conducted field researches both in Japan and abroad to enhance the analysis. The main feature of this research is to evaluate the impact from agriculture and agro-eco resources on the environment. For this purpose, a number of procedures have been developed both theoretically and empirically. We have reviewed and discussed major techniques in economic evaluation of the environment. In addition, we have applied such methods to real world examples to make proposals for environmental and regional measures. The techniques employed in this project include the stated preference methods such as the Contingent Valuation Method and the Conjoint Analysis, the Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Accounts and various approaches in ecological economics like Ecological Footprint and Energy Flow Analysis. The outcomes of the project are contained in the book "Economic Evaluation of Agro-Environment -Multi-functionality, Environmental Accounts and Ecology-", published from the Hokkaido University Press in March 2008.