bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social Ecology as Innovative Tertiary Environmental Education
Authors: White Lesley 
Published: July 2016

Social ecology as expressed by the Social Ecology Centre, (Faculty of Agriculture & Rural Development, University of Western Sydney, Hawkesbury), is an emerging field of learning concerned with improving the quality of the interrelationships between people and between people and the environment. The essence of this improvement is powerfully depicted by Albert Einstein, with this plea for people to widen their sense of compassion and concern to all life:A human being is part of the whole, called by us ‘Universe’ a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.Social ecology then is concerned with recognising and transcending this ‘optical delusion’ of which Einstein speaks.In 1992 the Social Ecology Centre will be offering, through the introduction of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Social Ecology) [B. App. Sc. (Soc. Ecol.)] program, a substantively new and different approach to environmental education at a tertiary level. The establishment of the B.App.Sc. (Soc. Ecol.) will provide for the first time learning opportunities in social ecology at undergraduate level.
Understanding the Macro-context of Teaching Environmental Education: A Case Study from Queensland, 1989-1991
Authors: Fien John 
Published: July 2016

Any discussion of curriculum should consider the social setting, especially the relationship between schools and society and its influence on curriculum decisions…. Curriculum decisions take place in a complex social setting, through demands that are imposed by society and filter down to schools (Ornstein and Hunkins, 1988: 114).Context is an important element in understanding the nature of the curriculum in any field and its goals. Thus, Cornbleth (1988: 89) describes curriculum as “an ongoing social activity shaped by various contextual influences within and beyond the classroom”. She argues that curriculum is a “contextualized social process” which:… cannot be understood adequately … without attention to its setting or context. Curriculum is contextually shaped…. (C)urriculum emerges from the dynamic interaction of action, reflection and setting (Cornbleth, 1990: 6-7)Similarly, Berlak and Berlak (1981: 24) write of the need to investigate teachers' decision making in terms of “the social, cultural and political forces and structures that are omnipresent in all social situations”. Sharp and Green (1975) argue that comprehensive explanations of teaching require an investigation of the “sociology of situations, their underlying structure and interconnections and the constraints and contingencies they impose” (p. 25).
Sustaining Development of Environmental Education in National Political and Curriculum Priorities
Authors: Gough Annette Greenall 
Published: July 2016

The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between national economic and political priorities and environmental education policy formulation and curriculum strategies. This relationship will be placed in the historical context of developments in environmental education in Australia from 1970 until the present and will be analysed in terms of the ideological and pedagogical stances implicit, and explicit, in the developments during this period. I will argue that the emphasis throughout the period has been to sustain the development of environmental education without any questioning of why, what and how this development should occur.‘Sustainable development’ has become a slogan for governments, industry and conservation groups in recent times. It was the subtitle for the World Conservation Strategy (IUCN 1980) and the National Conservation Strategy for Australia (DHAE 1984) - living resource conservation for sustainable development - and was popularised in the report of the World Commission on Environment and Development, more commonly known as the Brundtland Report or Our Common Future (WCED 1987). The definition of sustainable development given in the World Conservation Strategy (IUCN 1980: section 1.3) and repeated in the National Conservation Strategy for Australia (DHAE 1984: 12) is as follows:Development is…the modification of the biosphere and the application of human, financial, living and non-living resources to satisfy human needs and improve the quality of human life. For development to be sustainable it must take account of social and ecological factors, as well as economic ones; of the living and nonliving resource base; and of the long term as well as the short term advantages and disadvantages of alternative actions.
The Social Constructions of Money
Authors: Spruzen Ben 
Published: July 2016

As Buchan (1998) so aptly puts it, money is incarnate desire; it is many things to many people. It has served to shape society through the advent of trade in ancient civilizations, or as the catalyst for military campaigns. The purpose of this paper is to examine the physical mechanisms that perpetuate society's reliance on money, and to uncover the social constructions that allow society to value money despite its various forms.There is no all encompassing rule or set of standards governing the physical form of money. Certainly there are more established and accepted forms of money or currency that have been adopted by various nations, providing symbols of national identity. The most notable the US dollar, the most widely accepted and common benchmark for international currencies. Contrasted with the Indonesian rupiah, which holds little value in the international market, a value reflected in the country's relatively low international standing. Such differences are the result of a bigger system based on international trade and comparative advantage whose boundaries lie beyond the definition of this discussion.
The Australian Master Tree Grower Program
Authors: Reid Rowen 
Published: July 2016

The Department of Forestry at The University of Melbourne with the financial support of the Myer Foundation, the RIRDC/LWRRDC/FWPRDC Joint Venture Agroforestry Program (JVAP) and the National Farm Forestry Program (AFFA) have developed and are delivering a unique and innovative participatory outreach and extension program for farmers active in revegetation, farm forestry and remnant forest management. Since the first program in 1996, 25 regional Australian Master Tree Grower (MTG) programs have been conducted involving more than 500 landholders across Australia.By acknowledging and drawing on the commitment and experience of locally selected tree growers, the MTG program aims to instil confidence through knowledge, provide farmers with a support network and encourage them to truly aspire to be ‘master tree growers’ in their own right. By starting with the landholders' motivations, rather than ending with them, the program allows participants to investigate and farm forestry projects. This is leading to the full potential of multipurpose tree growing to be realised for economic, social and environmental outcomes for farmers and their rural communities.
Wildscape—from the Gould League
Authors: Lomdahl Andrea 
Published: July 2016

In the current climate of Internet popularity, and the growth in the use of learning technologies in the classroom, there is increasing demand for the development of new and engaging web sites for use in schools. Most environmental education web sites and online learning programs still deliver information and continue to ‘raise awareness’ of environmental issues. The Gould League believes the internet can be used to take environmental education beyond awareness raising and web sites can be developed that empower students and their teachers and deliver both environmental and educational outcomes.Wildscape is accessed through the Gould League web site and was the first of the Gould League's web-based online learning programs. It was created in response to requests from teachers for assistance with practical school ground environmental projects.
In the Words of Children and Young People: The Opinions and Concerns about their Environments of Some Brisbane School Students
Authors: Kwan Tammy , Miles John 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTThis paper reports on a study into the environmental opinions and concerns of a sample of Brisbane children in the upper primary, junior and senior secondary years. The study adopted a qualitative approach. Children's opinions about the environments around them and beyond were gathered using open-ended question items and focus group discussions. The study revealed that the upper primary children participating were most obviously concerned about their immediate personal environments. The junior and senior secondary students were more concerned about their natural environments to which they showed strong positive associations. On the other hand, all participants wanted to undertake personal action for change in their social environments at local, national and global levels.
Childrens' Conceptions of Nature
Authors: Payne Phillip 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTThis paper describes a study of sixth grade children's conceptions of nature and the environment. In so doing, it asks that environmental educators pay more attention to children's preconceived notions of environment and nature. Should this occur the theory-practice gap in environmental education may be diminished. Learners' concepts of ‘nature’ and the ‘environment’ provide a needed perspective for the development of individually and contextually appropriate teaching and learning strategies in environmental education. Without knowledge of them it is not clear whose version of environment it is which the learner is being educated ‘in’, ‘about’, ‘with’ or ‘for’.
Environmental Education and Interpretation: Developing an Affective Difference
Authors: Howard Jonathon 
Published: July 2016

ABSTRACTRather than create another definition this paper explores the philosophy of interpretation in order to identify its core values. This shows that the main difference between environmental interpretation and environmental education is whether affect is considered to be pre-or post-cognitive. To the interpreter particularly significant experiences create deep emotional responses in participants that need no explanation. While moods, feelings and emotions are known to be important to attitude and behaviour change, how they create behaviour change is largely unknown. Interpretation will only make significant advances and become more challenging when it is informed by articulated theory. The implications for practice are that affective rather than cognitive models of learning need to be both employed and explored in future.
Interpretation in Environmental Education—An Introduction to the Papers in this Issue
Authors: Beckmann Elizabeth , Devlin Pat , Wearing Stephen 
Published: July 2016

The sub-editorial group which considered the interpretation papers in the following section consisted of Elizabeth Beckmann, who provided the introduction below, Pat Devlin and Stephen Wearing.Environmental interpretation occurs as part of the educational continuum that ranges from simple awareness-raising sought by promotional activities to the major attitudinal shifts often pursued in environmental lifestyle education. Interpretation has long been seen by natural resource managers and others not only as “an educational activity…to reveal meaning and relationships” (Tilden 1977) but also as a means of creating “a desire to contribute to environmental conservation” (Aldridge 1974). In 1996 how are we using interpretive theory, techniques and programs to contribute towards developing the cutting edge of environmental education?
Wetland management — Kakadu National Park
Authors: Skeat A.J. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe wetlands of Kakadu National Park have received national and international recognition. Their significance lies in their large size, the great diversity and high biomass of plants and animals which they support, and the level of protection and management afforded them. The management of these wetlands is influenced by many factors including a uranium mine, a range of alien plants and animals, increasing tourism, an environment subject to change, and Aboriginal ownership of part of the land. Maintaining wetland conservation values appropriate to a major national park and a World Heritage area requires considerable research and management and a continued high level of funding.
Land ethics — who needs them?
Authors: Roberts B. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractLand degradation through erosion and salinity is Australia's most urgent environmental problem.Despite the extent and rate of land deterioration, it is not a political issue and has no lobby. Solution to the problem lies in education, incentives and regulations, each in their appropriate role.Basically Australia needs a fundamental change in attitude toward the land based on land ethics. Fifteen specific concepts are recommended for teaching in schools to encourage a sustainable ecological basis for rural production.The author challenges environmental educators to recognize and pursue the need for land ethics as the cornerstone of Australia's soil conservation campaign and points out that, without a fundamental change of heart leading to greater respect and humility toward the land, neither laws or finances will reverse the present deteriorating situation on the land.
Arid land management
Authors: Christie E.K. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAustralia's arid and semiarid lands comprise about 80% of the continent. The human population of around 300,000 is very low. The dominant land use is the pastoral industry. However, other interacting land uses include national parks, mining and aboriginal lands. Some of the impacts of European people on soils, vegetation and native wildlife, following almost 200 years of settlement are discussed.Management of arid lands for sustainable long-term yield requires integrated studies into the physical and biological environment. The central issue for the administration and management of arid grazing lands is the accurate estimation of grazing capacity in relation to the wide annual fluctuations in available forage for livestock in arid regions. Any estimate for grazing capacity must be such that wool or meat production is maximal, or near-maximal, and that soil and vegetation stability is maintained over the long-term. The basic ecological components for such an arid grazing land management programme are described. The programme also provides the essential information base on which future decisions on land administration issues can be made by policy makers.
An Analysis of the Impact of a Ban of Methyl Bromide on the U.S. Winter Fresh Vegetable Market
Authors: Deepak M. S. , Spreen Thomas H. , VanSickle John J. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis study evaluates the economic impact of a ban on methyl bromide on the U.S. winter fresh vegetable market for six major crops: tomatoes, green peppers, cucumbers, squash, eggplant, and watermelons. Florida is the primary domestic supplier of these products. Mexico and Texas are the competing suppliers of the five vegetable crops and peppers, respectively. Leontief technologies represent both monocrop and double-crop production systems; linear inverse demand functions represent four demand regions in the U.S. and Canada. By increasing production costs and reducing yields, a ban on methyl bromide decreases Florida's FOB revenues by 54% and increases those of Mexico by 65%. Price increases to U.S. fresh vegetable consumers range from near zero to over 10%, depending upon the commodity and location.
Price versus Quota Reductions: U.S. Flue-Cured Tobacco Policy
Authors: Blake Brown A. , Martin Laura L. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractDeclining domestic cigarette consumption, increased global competition, and loss of import restrictions indicate decreased demand for U.S. flue-cured tobacco. The effects of 10% declines in domestic and export demand are evaluated under a policy of reducing quota to maintain price versus a policy of allowing price to fall to maintain quota. Changes in prices, quantities, revenues, and economic rents are simulated. Losses to nonfarming quota owners are minimized under a policy of price maintenance, while losses in revenues to tobacco-producing areas are minimized by a policy of quota maintenance. Aggregate losses to tobacco growers are greater under a policy of quota maintenance.
Relationships Between Market Price Signals and Production Management: The Case of Fed Beef
Authors: Outlaw Joe L. , Anderson David P. , Padberg Daniel I. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe beef industry in the United States consists of several distinct production levels ranging from the cow-calf producer at the lowest level to the final consumer. These sectors face varying levels of profitability, degrees of market power, conflicting goals, and price signals. Environmental regulations involve questions of what costs are involved, who is in a position to pay these costs, and whether market prices are capable of signaling different environmental practices. Understanding the relationships within the beef industry may allow researchers to fine-tune analyses of environmental issues in the beef industry.
Development of Environmental Indicators for Use in Macroeconomic Models
Authors: Kellogg Robert L. , Goss Don W. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIn the fields of agriculture and resource economics, good economics is predicated by good science. By partnering more with physical scientists, economists will be better able to provide the broad policy-making community with practical recommendations for addressing resource issues. An example of collaboration is presented for the development of environmental indicators of the potential risk to the environment of die loss of pesticides from farm fields, which will be used by economists to adjust conventionally measured agricultural output for water quality impacts associated with agricultural production.
A Qualitative Choice Analysis of Factors Influencing Post-CRP Land Use Decisions
Authors: Johnson Phillip N. , Misra Sukant K. , Ervin R. Terry 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe future use of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands is an important agricultural policy issue. To examine the effects of factors that influence landowners' post-contract use of CRP lands, a survey of Texas High Plains CRP contract holders was conducted in 1992. This study analyzes the results of the survey using a qualitative choice model. It was found that the presence of a livestock enterprise in the current contract holder's operation increases the probability of these acres remaining in the established cover. Contract holders who value the commodity base have an increased probability of returning their acres to crop production.
Factors Affecting Production Efficiency in a New Alternative Enterprise: The Case of the Ratite Industry
Authors: Gillespie Jeffrey , Schupp Alvin , Taylor Gary 
Published: July 2016

AbstractTechnical efficiency measures are calculated for ratite producers using data envelopment analysis. Regression analysis is then used to determine producer characteristics that are likely to lead to higher technical efficiencies. Results indicate that the most technically efficient ratite producers in Louisiana are not producing at the benchmark efficiency level advocated by the industry. Producer experience with other livestock, specialization, and labor are factors likely to lead to higher technical efficiency. These results are expected to hold for most new, alternative livestock enterprises.
Current State and Future Directions of SAEA
Authors: Segarra Eduardo 
Published: July 2016

Do not look back in anger, or forward in fear, but around in awareness.—James ThurberIt is difficult to describe the extent of my pleasure both in being here today and in having the honor of serving as your president this year. This occasion is particularly meaningful to me since I follow in the footsteps of two of my professors in this forum, Sandra S. Batie and Oral Capps, Jr., who have had a great deal of influence on my professional development.The 1984 meetings of the Southern Agricultural Economics Association (SAEA) in Nashville, Tennessee, marked my first exposure to the meetings of this Association. One of my more vivid memories of that occasion was a dinner at the Opryland Hotel where Joseph Havlicek, Jr., enlightened us with his comments on the state of this Association and its future prospects, along with an in-depth reminiscence of the Association's history.
Nitrogen-Fixing Winter Cover Crops and Production Risk: A Case Study for No-Tillage Corn
Authors: Larson James A. , Roberts Roland K. , Tyler Donald D. , Duck Bob N. , Slinsky Stephen P. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractWinter legumes can substitute for applied nitrogen fertilization of corn. Stochastic dominance was used to order net revenues from legume and applied nitrogen alternatives. Stochastic dominance orderings indicate that systems combining vetch with low applied nitrogen fertilization (50 and 100 pounds/acre, respectively) were risk inefficient. By contrast, vetch and 150 pounds/acre applied nitrogen maximized expected net revenue and was risk efficient for a wide range of risk-averse and risk-seeking behavior. Farmers with these risk attitudes may not reduce applied nitrogen if they switch to a vetch cover. Extremely risk-averse or risk-seeking farmers would not prefer winter legumes.
A Nonparametric Efficiency Analysis for a Sample of Kansas Swine Operations
Authors: Rowland William W. , Langemeier Michael R. , Schurle Bryan W. , Featherstone Allen M. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis study evaluates the economic competitiveness of a sample of Kansas farrow-to-finish operations by estimating relative firm efficiency using nonparametric mathematical programming techniques. Measures of technical, allocative, scale, economic, and overall efficiency are then related to farm characteristics to identify sources of efficiency. Results indicate that overall efficient farms produce a high quantity of pork per litter, produce a portion of their own feed grains, generate a large portion of their income from swine and other livestock enterprises, and have a lower debt-to-asset ratio.
Government Policy, Wind Erosion, and Economic Viability in Semi-Arid Agriculture: The Case of the Southern Texas High Plains
Authors: Bunn Julie A. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe 1996 farm bill challenges agricultural producers to pursue conservation objectives while allowing flexibility and reducing subsidies. The nature of this challenge for semi-arid rainfed, wind-erosion-prone agriculture is explored via a behavioral model. Simulations of farm-firm decision making under scenarios in the southern Texas High Plains are evaluated. Results indicate that the removal of subsidies, while lowering farm incomes, does not, under most assumptions, alter cropping system choice. Alternatively, under a variety of assumptions, the imposition of an erosion tax shuts down cropping.
Finite Mixture Estimation of Size Economies and Cost Frontiers in the Face of Multiple Production Technologies
Authors: Smith H. Arlen , Taylor C. Robert 
Published: July 2016

AbstractFinite mixture estimation (FME) is compared to estimated generalized least squares (EGLS) in the estimation of economies of size and production cost frontiers for Alabama dairy farms. FME provides several unique insights into the economic forces behind recent changes in Alabama's dairy industry. FME provides estimation of a stochastic average cost frontier with known statistical properties, which it was not otherwise possible to obtain using available stochastic frontier estimation packages.