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Analysis of dairy production systems differentiated by location

Das Projekt "Analysis of dairy production systems differentiated by location" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Bonn, Institut für Lebensmittel- und Ressourcenökonomik (ILR), Professur Wirtschafts- und Agrarpolitik durchgeführt. Dairy farming across Germany displays diverse production systems. Factor endowment, management, technology adoption as well as competitive dynamics in the local or regional land, agribusiness and dairy processing sectors contribute to this differentiation on farm level. These differences impact on the ability of dairy farms and regional dairy production systems to successfully respond to pressures arising from future market and policy changes. The overall objective of the research activities of which this project is a part of, is to develop a thorough understanding of the processes that govern the spatial dynamics of dairy farm development in different regions in Germany. The central hypothesis of this research project is that management system and technological choices differ systematically across local production and market conditions. The empirical approach will focus on the estimation of farm specific nonparametric cost functions for dairy farms located in across Germany differentiated by time and location. A spatially differentiated data base with information on input use, resource availability, as well as local market conditions for land and output markets will be compiled. The nonparametric approach is specifically suited to disclose a more accurate representation of dairy production system heterogeneity across locations and time compared to parametric concepts as it provides the necessary flexibility to accommodate non-linearities relevant for a wide domain of explanatory variables. The methodology employed goes beyond the state of the art of the literature as it combines kernel density estimation with a Bayesian sampling approach to provide theory consistent parameters for each farm in the data sample.The specific methodological hypothesis is that the nonparametric approach is superior to current parametric techniques and this hypothesis is tested using statistical model evaluation. Regarding the farm management and technological choices, we hypothesize that land suitability for feed production determines the farm intensity of dairy production and thus management and technological choices. With respect to the ability of farms to successfully respond to market pressures we hypothesize that farms at the upper and lower tail of the intensity distribution both can generate positive returns from dairy production. These last two hypotheses will be tested using the estimated spatially differentiated farm specific costs and marginal costs.The expected outcomes are of relevance for the agricultural sector and the food supply chain economy as a whole as fundamental market structure changes in the dairy sector are ongoing due to the abolition of the quota regulation in the years 2014/2015. Thus, exact knowledge about differences and development of dairy cost heterogeneity of farms within and between regions are an important factor for the actors involved in the market as well as the political support of this process.

Das Energiewende-Szenario 2020 - Ausstieg aus der Atomenergie, Einstieg in Klimaschutz und nachhaltige Entwicklung

Das Projekt "Das Energiewende-Szenario 2020 - Ausstieg aus der Atomenergie, Einstieg in Klimaschutz und nachhaltige Entwicklung" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Öko-Institut. Institut für angewandte Ökologie e.V. durchgeführt.

Between Path Dependence and Path Creation: The Impact of Farmers' Behavior and Policies on Structural Change in Agriculture

Das Projekt "Between Path Dependence and Path Creation: The Impact of Farmers' Behavior and Policies on Structural Change in Agriculture" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Leibniz-Institut für Agrarentwicklung in Mittel- und Osteuropa durchgeführt. Farm structures are often characterized by regional heterogeneity, agglomeration effects, sub-optimal farm sizes and income disparities. The main objective of this study is to analyze whether this is a result of path dependent structural change, what the determinants of path dependence are, and how it may be overcome. The focus is on the German dairy sector which has been highly regulated and subsidized in the past and faces severe structural deficits. The future of this sector in the process of an ongoing liberalization will be analyzed by applying theoretical concepts of path dependence and path breaking. In these regards, key issues are the actual situation, technological and market trends as well as agricultural policies. The methodology will be based on a participative use of the agent-based model AgriPoliS and participatory laboratory experiments. On the one hand, AgriPoliS will be tested as a tool for stakeholder oriented analysis of mechanisms, trends and policy effects. This part aims to analyze whether and how path dependence of structural change can be overcome on a sector level. In a second part, AgriPoliS will be extended such that human players (farmers, students) can take over the role of agents in the model. This part aims to compare human agents with computer agents in order to overcome single farm path dependence.

A behavioural economic analysis of moral hazards in food production: the case of deviant economic behaviour and disclosure policies on the restaurant, ready-to-eat and retail level

Das Projekt "A behavioural economic analysis of moral hazards in food production: the case of deviant economic behaviour and disclosure policies on the restaurant, ready-to-eat and retail level" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Institut für Agrar- und Ernährungswissenschaften, Professur Unternehmensführung im Agribusiness durchgeführt. Deviant behaviour on various levels of the food supply chain may cause food risks. It entails irregular technological procedures which cause (increased probabilities of) adverse outcomes for buyers and consumers. Besides technological hazards and hitherto unknown health threats, moral hazard and malpractice in food businesses represent an additional source of risk which can be termed 'behavioural food risk'. From a regulatory perspective, adverse outcomes associated with deviance represent negative externalities that are caused by the breaking of rules designed to prevent them. From a rational choice perspective, the probability of malpractice increases with the benefits for its authors. It decreases with the probability of detection and resulting losses. It also decreases with bonds to social norms that protect producers from yielding to economic temptations. The design of mechanisms that reduce behavioural risks and prevent malpractice requires an understanding of why food businesses obey or do not obey the rules. This project aims to contribute to a better understanding of malpractice on the restaurant/retail level through comparative case studies and statistical analyses of food inspection and survey data. Accounting for the complexity of economic behaviour, we will not only look at economic incentives but consider all relevant behavioural determinants, including social context factors.

Profiling methane emission in the Baltic Sea: Cryptophane as in-situ chemical sensor

Das Projekt "Profiling methane emission in the Baltic Sea: Cryptophane as in-situ chemical sensor" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Leibniz-Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde (IOW), Sektion Meereschemie durchgeführt. To overcome the limitation in spatial and temporal resolution of methane oceanic measurements, sensors are needed that can autonomously detect CH4-concentrations over longer periods of time. The proposed project is aimed at:- Designing molecular receptors for methane recognition (cryptophane-A and -111) and synthesizing new compounds allowing their introduction in polymeric structure (Task 1; LC, France); - Adapting, calibrating and validating the 2 available optical technologies, one of which serves as the reference sensor, for the in-situ detection and measurements of CH4 in the marine environments (Task 2 and 3; GET, LAAS-OSE, IOW) Boulart et al. (2008) showed that a polymeric filmchanges its bulk refractive index when methane docks on to cryptophane-A supra-molecules that are mixed in to the polymeric film. It is the occurrence of methane in solution, which changes either the refractive index measured with high resolution Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR; Chinowsky et al., 2003; Boulart et al, 2012b) or the transmitted power measured with differential fiber-optic refractometer (Boulart et al., 2012a; Aouba et al., 2012).- Using the developed sensors for the study of the CH4 cycle in relevant oceanic environment (the GODESS station in the Baltic Sea, Task 4 and 5; IOW, GET); GODESS registers a number of parameters with high temporal and vertical resolution by conducting up to 200 vertical profiles over 3 months deployment with a profiling platform hosting the sensor suite. - Quantifying methane fluxes to the atmosphere (Task 6); clearly, the current project, which aims at developing in-situ aqueous gas sensors, provides the technological tool to achieve the implementation of ocean observatories for CH4. The aim is to bring the fiber-optic methane sensor on the TRL (Technology Readiness Level) from their current Level 3 (Analytical and laboratory studies to validate analytical predictions) - to the Levels 5 and 6 (Component and/or basic sub-system technology validation in relevant sensing environments) and compare it to the SPR methane sensor, taken as the reference sensor (current TRL 5). This would lead to potential patent applications before further tests and commercialization. This will be achieved by the ensemble competences and contributions from the proposed consortium in this project.

Teilvorhaben: Evaluierung der technischen Machbarkeit von Meeresenergiewandler-Konzepten und deren techno-ökonomische Perspektiven im europäischen Markt

Das Projekt "Teilvorhaben: Evaluierung der technischen Machbarkeit von Meeresenergiewandler-Konzepten und deren techno-ökonomische Perspektiven im europäischen Markt" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Fraunhofer-Institut für Energiewirtschaft und Energiesystemtechnik durchgeführt. Generelles Ziel des Projekts ist die Weiterentwicklung ausgesuchter Wellenenergiewandler-Konzepte (WaveEnergyConverter, WEC) bzgl. der Baugröße/Nennleistung einzelner Einheiten sowie deren Technologie-Reifegrad (Technological Readiness Level, TRL). Hierzu sind internationale Partner eingebunden, die über entsprechendes Know-how und die erforderlichen Testeinrichtungen (Wellentanks) verfügen.

Monitoring und Sensorik von rauschbehafteten Signalen für die Umwelt-, Bio- und Medizintechnologie im industriellen Umfeld

Das Projekt "Monitoring und Sensorik von rauschbehafteten Signalen für die Umwelt-, Bio- und Medizintechnologie im industriellen Umfeld" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Fraunhofer-Institut für Keramische Technologien und Systeme, Institutsteil Dresden-Klotzsche durchgeführt. Das Fraunhofer IKTS als industrienahes Forschungsinstitut möchte mit der beantragten Travel Conference (MoSiUm) gezielt die bestehenden Kontakte nach Südkorea (Yonsei University, Wonju Medical Industry Technovalley) und Singapur (Nanyang Technological University) intensivieren und über das bestehende Netzwerk deutschen KMU den Zugang zum asiatischen Markt öffnen. MoSiUm zielt auf die Vernetzung von deutschen und asiatischen wissenschaftlichen Einrichtungen und KMU für die Entwicklung neuer Monitoring- und Sensortechnologie ab. Die entsprechenden Technologien sollen speziell in den Bereichen Umwelt-, Bio- und Medizintechnik genutzt werden und decken die thematischen Schwerpunkte der Ausschreibung: Umwelttechnologien und Ressourceneffizienz, antimikrobielle Resistenzen und Meeres- und Küstenforschung ab. Im Umweltbereich wird der Fokus in der komplexen Strukturüberwachung von Anlagen wie z.B. Offshore-Windanlagen im Meer- bzw. Küstenbereich und von Anlagen zur Abwasseraufbereitung zur Überwachung flüssiger Medien liegen. Im Bereich der antimikrobiellen Resistenzen fokussiert sich MoSiUm auf die sensorielle Detektion von mikrobiell kontaminierten Oberflächen und der Vermeidung von antimikrobiellen Resistenzen durch Oberflächenmodifikation und deren Nachweis- und Prüftechnologie. Zusätzlich wird in den adressierten Themen die additive Fertigung betrachtet. Dieses Verfahren zeichnet sich durch einen ressourcenschonenden Umgang mit den Rohmaterialien aus, erfordert allerdings auch eine besondere Betrachtung der Qualitätssicherung und Prozessüberwachung mittels Sensorik. Im Vergleich zur Fertigung hinkt das zerstörungsfreie Prozessmonitoring (in-line) bei der additiven Fertigung hinterher und wirkt innovationhemmend. Monitoring- und Sensorsysteme für die In-line Prozessüberwachung müssen entwickelt und mit speziellen Algorithmen (maschinelles Lernen) verknüpft werden. In den genannten Bereichen besteht die Notwendigkeit von entsprechenden strukturintegrierten Sensoren.

IMproved Phosphorus Resource efficiency in Organic agriculture Via recycling and Enhanced biological mobilization (IMPROVE-P)

Das Projekt "IMproved Phosphorus Resource efficiency in Organic agriculture Via recycling and Enhanced biological mobilization (IMPROVE-P)" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Hohenheim, Institut für Kulturpflanzenwissenschaften (340), Fachgebiet Düngung und Bodenstoffhaushalt (340i) durchgeführt. Phosphorus (P) is one essential element for plant, which can neither be produced synthetically nor substituted by any other element. In organic farming, long term P management is one of the most important management challenges, as high soluble P fertilizers derived from fossil sources are not allowed and their use does not meet the basic ideas of closing nutrient cycles by effective management measures. Organic farming systems rely on the efficient use and recycling of available resources. Currently, some mineral nutrients like phosphorus (P) are used only once to produce food. Subsequently, they are lost due to poor recycling of organic wastes back to farmland. There is an urgent need to improve the recycling of P from urban areas and the food industry, back to cropland. However, the traditional application of some of these waste products in agriculture is facing increasing concerns about pollutants (heavy metal, xenobiotics) and protection of soils and environment. There are many technological alternatives to recycle and clean the phosphorus already available, affecting P bio-availability and pollutants content. The different options will be evaluated from an agronomical and ecological point of view in the frame of this project.

INFRES:Innovative and Effective Technology and Logistics for Forest Residual Biomass Supply in the EU

Das Projekt "INFRES:Innovative and Effective Technology and Logistics for Forest Residual Biomass Supply in the EU" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Freiburg, Institut für Forst- und Umweltpolitik durchgeführt. INFRES is a three year EU FP7 funded study focused on developing innovative technology and logistics for the forest residual biomass supply chain. The goal is to improve the overall competitiveness of forest residue biomass throughout the EU by accelerating technological (equipment and software) development and demonstrations. Following the directive for renewable energy targets in the EU, forest residue will continue to play an leading role in the renewable energy sector. This overall study focuses on the efficient collection, processing and delivery of woody feed stock for heating, power and emerging bio-refining uses. This research and demonstration project involves 23 partners, including nine research universities and organizations and 14 SMEs FELIS: FELIS will be leading Work Package 3, titled 'Business innovations and adaptations of forestry practices to bioenergy supply'. This research effort first evaluates the future customers and markets of forest biomass to 2050 and then focuses on how existing forestry practices may be modified in order to enhance and improve biomass recovery. Partnering with both software companies and regional bioenergy firms, this work task develops business and service innovations in order to improve organization efficiency, lowering cost and improving service.

Assessment of satellite constellations for monitoring the variations in earth s gravity field

Das Projekt "Assessment of satellite constellations for monitoring the variations in earth s gravity field" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Stuttgart, Geodätisches Institut durchgeführt. More than a decade has passed since the launch of the GRACE satellite mission. Although designed for a nominal mission lifetime of 5 years, it still provides valuable science data. An eventual systems failure and, thus, mission termination is expected any time soon, though. Despite a relative low spatial and temporal resolution, the monthly gravity fields have proved an invaluable and novel parameter set in several geoscience disciplines, allowing new research venues in the study of Global Change phenomena. The hydrological cycle is now subject to quantification at continental scales; the state of the cryosphere, particularly ice sheet melting over Greenland and Antarctica, can be monitored; and steric effects of sea-level change have become separable from non-steric ones. The enormous success of the mission has driven the need for continuation of monitoring mass changes in the Earth system. Indeed, a GRACE Follow-On (GFO) mission has been approved for launch in August 2017. Like its predecessor it will consist of two satellites flying en echelon with intersatellite K-Band ranging as the main gravitational sensor. Despite a number of planned technological improvements, including a laser link as demonstrator, GFO will mostly be based on GRACE heritage. Given a similar orbit configuration and a similar systems setup, the quality of eventual gravity field products can be expected to be in the same range as the current GRACE products. To guarantee the continuation of such successful gravity field time series ESA has embarked several years ago on a long term strategy for future gravity field satellite missions, both in terms of technology development and in terms of consolidating the user community. Scientists from academia and industry held a workshop on The Future of Satellite Gravimetry at ESTEC premises, 12-13 April 2007, (RD-9). Similar workshops have been organized by other organizations, e.g. the joint GGOS/IGCP565 workshop Towards a Roadmap for Future Satellite Gravity Missions in Graz, September 30 - October 2, 2009. ESA furthermore played a key role in consolidating the international user community by funding a series of study projects, cf. (RD-1) to (RD-5). Similar projects have been funded and conducted at national level, e.g. the German BMBF-funded Geotechnologies III project Concepts for future gravity field satellite missions (PI: N. Sneeuw). These studies, together with GRACE experience, have provided a clear understanding of the current limitations of a GRACE-type mission. In particular the limitations in sampling and sensitivity of a single pair of satellites with in-orbit in-line sensitivity are well documented. At the same time, these studies have shown the design options and a roadmap towards a next generation gravity field mission.

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