Resource Economics and Planing

INA

Degradation of woodland in Africa

Contact:
Ole Hofstad


Apply a bio-economic model of the activities in one or a few villages in order to study the relationships between population growth, technological development and local markets on the one hand and degradation of woodlands on the other. Collection of biological and socio-economic data from rural areas of a selected African country is an integrated part of the thesis work.

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Considerations of sustainability and economics of firewood harvesting in developing countries

Contact:
Ole Hofstad


Cutting firewood and burning charcoal are among the most important forestry activities in many developing countries. This is often a thriving private business in rural areas, but is not always undertaken in a sustainable manner. Various Master theses may be designed around aspects of such production and its sustainability and contribution to economic development and poverty alleviation. A thesis may study the occurrence and (re-) growth of suitable trees, the production of firewood and/or charcoal, transport and distribution, or the consumption of bio-energy in rural or urban areas. The department has long experience in arranging fieldwork for such theses in some African countries, and may assist students who would like to visit other parts of the world as well.

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Analysis of forest degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa by using bio-economic models


Contact:
Prem Sankhayan

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Role of trees in sustainable management of arid and semi-arid ecosystems in Africa

Contact:
Prem Sankhayan


The emphasis is on analyzing the role of trees in complex ecological and socio-economic environment characteristics of African arid and semi-arid ecosystems. The main aim is to quantify absolute productivities, and define and suggest sustainable management of trees and forests by using optimal restoration and rehabilitation techniques and harvesting strategies consistent with optimal benefits to the community and biodiversity. The study will combine field studies with modelling approaches in systems framework, under alternate economic and technological scenarios. The findings are expected to be useful to national planners and policy makers, international development agencies, and local communities interested in sustainable management of tree resources for securing maximum ecological and economic gains in arid and semi-arid ecosystems in Africa.

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Sustainable management of agriculture for increased food security, environmental protection and socio–economic improvements in China

Contact:
Prem Sankhayan



Growing population and economic development has exerted increased pressure on ecosystems, leading to loss and underutilization of certain species useful for diversification and conservation of biodiversity. A number of crops still remain excluded from the existing cropping systems and, therefore, their full potential is not harnessed in different regions of China. This may be partly due to lack of awareness on the part of farmers. There is thus a potential for the diversification of agriculture through wider integration of such crop species into the cropping systems. Ideally agricultural management should make use of common varieties as well as underutilised species in a way that is economically feasible, environmentally sound, provides greater food security and is socially acceptable to the local populations. Examination of such crucial issues through bio-economic modelling approach forms the subject matter of this type of research proposal.



Updated: 01.01.06
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