Octavio A. Ramirez

Bio: Octavio A. Ramirez is an academic researcher from University of Georgia. The author has contributed to research in topics: Crop insurance & Savings account. The author has an hindex of 8, co-authored 24 publications receiving 339 citations.

Income Earning Potential versus Consumptive Amenities in Determining Ranchland Values

Abstract: The relative importance of income earning potential versus consumptive values in setting ranchland prices is examined using a truncated hedonic model The market value of New Mexico ranches is related to annual income earning potential and other ranch characteristics including ranch size, location, elevation, terrain, and the amount of deeded, public, and state trust land on the ranch We found ranch income to be a statistically important determinant of land value, but yet a relatively small percentage of ranch value was explained by income earnings Ranch location, scenic view, and the desirable lifestyle influenced ranch value more than ranch income

Estimation and use of the inverse hyperbolic sine transformation to model non-normal correlated random variables

Abstract: During the past .20 years, there has been growing recognition of the consequences of the randomness of crop yields and prices for farm management and agricultural policy decisions. Concomitantly, researchers have recognized the possibility and implications of the non-normality of yields and prices. This study demonstrates a method for estimating multivariate non-normality in crop yields and prices over time, using the inverse hyperbolic sine transformation of corn, soya bean and wheat yields. The resulting estimates are used to simulate a multivariate distribution of crop yields.

A Flexible Parametric Family for the Modeling and Simulation of Yield Distributions

Abstract: The distributions currently used to model and simulate crop yields are unable to accommodate a substantial subset of the theoretically feasible mean-variance-skewness-kurtosis (MVSK) hyperspace. Because these first four central moments are key determinants of shape, the available distributions might not be capable of adequately modeling all yield distributions that could be encountered in practice. This study introduces a system of distributions that can span the entire MVSK space and assesses its potential to serve as a more comprehensive parametric crop yield model, improving the breadth of distributional choices available to researchers and the likelihood of formulating proper parametric models.

Amenity migration: diverse conceptualizations of drivers, socioeconomic dimensions, and emerging challenges

Abstract: Rural communities throughout the postindustrial world are in the midst of a significant transition, sometimes referred to as rural restructuring, as traditional land uses, economic activities, and social arrangements transition to those associated with “post-productivist” or “multifunctional” landscapes. Amenity migration, the movement of people based on the draw of natural and/or cultural amenities, can be thought of as both driver and implication of this transition, resulting in significant changes in the ownership, use, and governance of rural lands, as well as in the composition and socioeconomic dynamics of rural communities. In concert with other social, economic and political processes, amenity migration is contributing to the fundamental transformation of rural communities throughout the world. This paper presents a review of the social science literature related to the concept of amenity migration, focusing on the ways in which it has been conceptualized, theorized, and documented by different communities of scholars. We then profile and summarize diverse perspectives on drivers and socioeconomic impacts, highlighting emerging challenges and opportunities related to this type of migration occurring at multiple scales and in multiple sites. The paper also identifies and discusses particular areas where further research is needed.

The international energy agency

Abstract: This chapter surveys the role of the IEA as a key component of the international energy security system. First, it gives an overview of the nature of the energy security challenges and the key governance regimes that have been set up historically to manage these challenges, including the IEA. Then, it elaborates on the specific roles taken up by the IEA in global energy governance, particularly in light of the dramatic changes that characterize the global energy security system. Finally, it gives a comparative overview of the three oil market interventions that the IEA has so far coordinated, before presenting the conclusions.

Woody Plant Encroachment: Causes and Consequences

Abstract: Woody vegetation in grasslands and savannas has increased worldwide over the past 100–200 years. This phenomenon of “woody plant encroachment” (WPE) has been documented to occur at different times but at comparable rates in rangelands of the Americas, Australia, and southern Africa. The objectives of this chapter are to review (1) the process of WPE and its causes, (2) consequences for ecosystem function and the provision of services, and (3) the effectiveness of management interventions aimed at reducing woody cover. Explanations for WPE require consideration of multiple interacting drivers and constraints and their variation through time at a given site. Mean annual precipitation sets an upper limit to woody plant cover, but local patterns of disturbance (fire, browsing) and soil properties (texture, depth) prevent the realization of this potential. In the absence of these constraints, seasonality, interannual variation, and intensity of precipitation events determine the rate and extent of woody plant expansion. Although probably not a triggering factor, rising atmospheric CO2 levels may have favored C3 woody plant growth. WPE coincided with the global intensification of livestock grazing that by reducing fine fuels, hence fire frequency and intensity, facilitated WPE. From a conservation perspective, WPE threatens the maintenance of grassland and savanna ecosystems and its endemic biodiversity. Traditional management goals aimed at restoring forage and livestock production after WPE have broadened to support a more diverse portfolio of ecosystem services. Accordingly, we focus on how WPE and management actions aimed at reducing woody plant cover influence carbon sequestration, water yield, and biodiversity, and discuss the trade-offs involved when balancing competing management objectives.