Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/45189 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
1999
Series/Report no.: 
UFZ Discussion Paper No. 2/1999
Publisher: 
UFZ-Umweltforschungszentrum Leipzig-Halle, Leipzig
Abstract: 
In this paper a method is developed to derive prices for natural goods from information about material and energy flows within ecosystems. The derivation is based on an analogy between ecological and economic systems: both systems are characterized by flows of material and energy. To derive ecosystem prices the mathematical structure of Koopmans economic linear production model his activity analysis is applied to a material flow model of ecosystems. The ecological interpretation of these prices is discussed and the uniqueness of the price system is investigated. An algorithm for price calculation is derived and demo nstrated with a numerical example. Finally, it is discussed whether ecosystem prices may be suitable as surrogates for economic valuations of natural goods.
Subjects: 
Price theory
evaluation of natural goods
activity analysis
general equilibrium theory
ecosystems
material flows
energy flows
JEL: 
Q2
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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