Assessing the ecological and economic benefits of a no-take marine reserve

The management of marine resources is often impeded by a lack of models to integrate ecological and economic information on exploited populations. We used available biological and economic data for an overexploited population of the leopard grouper (Mycteroperca rosacea) to study if closing parts of the population to fishing would allow sustainable use and maximum economic benefits. Our results suggest that fishing should be closed in all spawning areas and in at least 50% of the adjacent areas. High non-consumptive benefits would be achieved with large closures because the abundance of the leopard groupers, which is an important attribute for SCUBA divers, would increase. In a no-take reserve, the welfare gains of divers seemingly could compensate for losses incurred by fishers if parts of their fishing grounds are closed. An adaptive management scheme could provide a way to incorporate newly available information into management decisions for the no-take reserve.     

An Exploratory Study of the Impact of Non-Commodity-Specific Agricultural Promotion Campaigns on Consumer Purchasing Patterns

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the possible impact of the “California Grown” campaign on consumer purchasing patterns. This advertising and public relations program was designed to encourage residents of the State to purchase more agricultural products grown in California.

The analysis reviewed the results of various market research studies conducted before, during, and after the Campaign and evaluated the extent to which the Campaign may have resulted in increased purchasing of agricultural products grown in California. The findings suggest that the advertising and public relations efforts had favorable/positive impacts on consumer attitudes, preferences for, purchase intent, and purchase action among those who were aware of the Campaign.     

Who benefits most from property assessment taxes? Evidence from Los Angeles County

Assessment caps on property taxes are often assumed to benefit affluent homeowners the most with little gains for low-income households. Quantile regression results for Los Angeles County show that on average effective property tax rates decrease by $1994 per year due to length of ownership in the 50th percentile because of California’s Proposition 13 assessment cap. There is evidence of both horizontal and vertical inequity across the entire sample. Low-income households do benefit from California’s assessment cap as they are typically infrequent movers but their effective tax rates decrease over time. However, the most affluent households by market value do not gain the most and there is no evidence of horizontal inequity for these homeowners. There is also no evidence of horizontal inequity for middle-income households. Property tax savings vary between $18,000 and $40,000, depending on the assessed value decile and percentage quantile.     

加州花园前史及其对现代园林的影响

加州花园及加州学派是美国现代风景园林设计实践和理论的重要起源之一,并深刻影响了世界风景园林的发展方向。追溯加州现代花园的前史,在分析加州的气候、地理及其植物区系的基础上,梳理了从加州原住民时代、修道院时代、墨西哥时代、淘金热时代、博览会时代、乡村时代到大萧条时代的花园变迁史,并结合加州的植物园发展体系,指出加州花园从前现代到现代的过程中传承和嬗变的特征及其影响。