Special Issues

Upcoming Special Issues

2013 Special Issue: Applied Economic Analysis of Marine Resource Management Issues in the 21st Century

Call for Papers

Co-Editors: Jean Boncoeur, Professor, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, Brest, France, and Director, UMR AMURE; Ralph Townsend, Dean of Liberal Arts, Winona State University, Minnesota, USA, and President Elect, International Institute of Fisheries Economics and Trade (IIFET); James Wilson, Professor, Université du Québec, Rimouski, Québec, Canada, and Co-Editor, Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics.

Motivation: Economic activities conducted in the oceans merit special attention, in part because of common property management issues. Until recently, oceans and coastal areas were considered by many to be "final frontiers". However, these frontiers have rapidly changed, and in some cases deteriorated, due in part to the growing number of competing uses of ocean services. This deterioration has been exacerbated by the often slow institutional development that could reinforce and coordinate individual and collective property rights. This has led to an intensification of uses of the oceans and coastal zones, not only for food production, but also as a sink for wastes and as a source of other environmental services. There has also been rapid development of theoretical tools and data sources that allow natural scientists and economists to analyze problems and to propose policy and management solutions.

This special issue of the Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics, to appear in 2013, will showcase new issues in marine resources economics and management that will likely dominate policy debates for the rest of the 21st century. Examples include fisheries, epidemiology, invasive species, bio-prospecting and biodiversity, aquaculture, sea-ranching, multi-trophic systems, recreational uses of the ocean, protected area management, climate change issues, renewable and non-renewable energy, and water/land management in coastal areas.

The Co-Editors for this special issue are looking for contributions that cover all three of the following important elements: 1) A new or emerging economic issue or problem related to marine resources and coastal zone use; 2) An innovative application of economic theory, broadly defined, including a detailed analysis; 3) A policy or management discussion based upon the findings in the analysis.

The Co-Editors are especially interested in seeing new applications that draw upon the various branches of economics, including institutional/law and economics, spatial economics, evolutionary economics and technological change, macro-economics/general equilibrium, and experimental economics. Contributions that have a strong level of economic analysis but which are jointly produced by economists and natural scientists or engineers are especially welcome. We have no geographical preference, nor any preferences for economic methodology or approach, although we are looking for applied work.

How to participate: Authors should, first, provide an extended abstract, which covers the three elements of interest above. The abstract should include the title, the text and a list of key words, supported by a covering letter with the names of the authors and the principal contact person. The abstract should be presented on two pages (A4 or 8.5x11), single spaced, using a 12 point font. The due date for abstract submission is 1 November 2011; however, we may continue to accept submissions until 1 December 2011 if the selection of submissions warrants it. Please send your abstract by e-mail to . Full manuscripts are due on 30 April 2012. These papers will be sent out for a full peer review and final acceptance in the special edition will be based upon that review.

2012 Special Issue: Forest Economics and Management

A special issue devoted to forest economics and management will be published in June 2012. The issue will include 12-15 topical papers relating to economic methods, models, applications and institutions relevant to forestry issues in Canadian and global jurisdictions. Although all manuscripts relevant to the topic will be considered, priority will be given to studies that advance theory or methods, or have broad policy relevance. Editors: Brad Stennes, Sen Wang (Canadian Forest Service), G. Cornelis van Kooten (University of Victoria)

Motivation: Forest ecosystems are among the most important in the world, both from an economic development and environmental perspective. Forest products are important to the everyday well being of people in developing and developed countries. For example, timber products are used as fuels and in the chemical, paper and construction industries, while non-timber products include various plants and animals that are used for food, medicinal and other purposes. In this regard, forests are part of the broader agricultural system and are intimately connected to agriculture in many places. Forests also constitute a major carbon sink for mitigating climate change, provide habitat for wildlife, store and regulate water flows, absorb and neutralize waste from human activities, and provide recreational, cultural and other values. It is possible that the non-market, non-timber values of forest ecosystems exceed their commercial value, but the two types of values need not be in conflict. Forests are also affected by random natural events, such as wildfire or disease and pests, whose functions are not well understood. This reality generates serious challenges for sound management and economic analysis. Finally, forests provide employment and economic wealth/surplus that can drive economic development.

The complexity of forest ecosystems, its many values and the large variety of forest activities pose challenges for establishing sound forest policy. In recognition of these challenges and the important role of forests in society, a special issue of the Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics will be devoted to forest management and economics.

Past Special Issues

2011 Special Issue: Wetlands Management, Economics and Policy

A special issue devoted to wetlands management, economics and policy, resulting from the on the "Wetlands Management, Economics and Policy" workshop held jointly by the University of Victoria and the University of Alberta from January 13-15, 2010 in Victoria, British Columbia. The complexity of wetland ecosystems poses challenges for management, valuation and the establishment of sound policy to conserve them. In recognition of these challenges and the important but often neglected role of wetlands in society, selected papers from the workshop will be published in a special issue of the Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics. Editors: G. Cornelis van Kooten (University of Victoria) and Peter Boxall (University of Alberta)

2010 Special Issue: Water in the 21st Century

A special issue relating to economic methods, models, applications and institutions relevant to water issues in different jurisdictions and watersheds was published in the December 2010 Special Issue. Editors: Terry Veeman (retired, University of Alberta), Mark Eiswerth (University of Wisconsin, Whitewater), G. Cornelis van Kooten (University of Victoria), Elwin Smith (Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge)

2009 Special Issue: Computational Economics: Applications in Agriculture, Bio-resources and the Environment

A special issue on the applications of modern computational economics to the environment and the agricultural and forestry sectors, and more broadly, natural resources, was published in the December 2009 Special Issue. Editors: James Nolan (University of Saskatchewan), Dawn Parker (George Mason University) and Richard Schoney (University of Saskatchewan).

2008 Special Issue: Agricultural Policy Changes: Canada, EU and the World Trade Organization

A special issue on the WTO and Agricultural Policy Changes in Canada and the EU was published in the December 2008 Special Issue. Papers were selected from the conference "Agricultural Policy Changes: Canada, EU and the World Trade Organization" held at the University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia. Editors: Paul Schure (University of Victoria) and Andrew Schmitz (University of Florida).

2007 Special Issue: Crises in Agricultural and Resource Sectors Workshop: Analysis of Policy Responses

A special issue on policy responses to agricultural and resource crises was published in the December 2007 Special Issue. Papers were selected from the joint conference of the Canadian Agricultural Economics Association (CAES), Farm Level Policy (FLP) Network and Canadian Agricultural Trade Policy Research Network (CATPRN) held in October 2006 in Calgary, Alberta. Editors: Vic Adamowicz (University of Alberta), Kathy Baylis (University of British Columbia), and Jim Unterschultz (University of Alberta).