Benefit Transfer Research Articles

Assessment of Seagrass Ecosystems’ Goods and Services of India

Nearly every shallow coastal region on Earth is home to seagrass, a type of marine flowering plant. They grow down to depths where just 11% of surface light reaches the bottom after colonizing soft substrates like mud, sand, and cobbles. Seagrasses often choose wave-sheltered environments where sediments are shielded from waves and currents. The seagrass environment serves as a home to large animals like dugongs and marine mammals like ducks and geese. The seagrass serves as a feeding and refuge area for the related creatures for the entirety or a portion of their life cycles. Raw materials and food, medicine, fertilizer, coastal protection, erosion control, water purification, fisheries maintenance, nursery grounds, invertebrate habitats, carbon sequestration, tourism, recreation, support for education, and research are just a few of the goods and services provided by seagrass to the coastal community. The value of a seagrass ecosystem's products and services to human well-being can be measured, and this can be used to support the need for seagrass ecosystem preservation, transfer, and regeneration. Many valuation studies are conducted to estimate the various goods and services produced by the seagrass ecosystem. The total area of seagrass distribution in the coastal States and UTs of India is 51822 ha, distributed in 4162 seagrass patches. Using meta-analysis and an average of Benefit Transfer (BT) method, the Total Economic Value (TEV) of seagrass has been estimated as Rs. 2594342/ha/yr. ($ 55,637/ha/yr.) with a maximum of Rs. 5948650 ha/yr. ($1,27,571/ha/yr.) and a minimum of 791448/ha/yr. ($ 16,973/ha/yr.). Subsequently, the total equivalent economic benefit from seagrass beds in India has been quantified at Rs.13444 crore/yr. ($ 2,88,31,22,453/yr.).

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN Scheme): Assessing the effectiveness of direct benefit transfer to farmers

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN Scheme): Assessing the effectiveness of direct benefit transfer to farmers

Spatially non-stationary relationships between landscape fragmentation and soil conservation services in China, 2000–2018

Soil conservation (SC), which supports ecosystems by retaining vegetation, controlling erosion, retaining sediment, cycling nutrients, retaining water, maintaining diversity, and forming soil, is threatened by human-induced soil erosion and landscape fragmentation (LF). Therefore, revealing the spatial relationship between LF and SC can provide a scientific basis for ecosystem conservation policy-making and landscape planning. However, previous studies failed to reveal the spatially non-stationary response of SC to LF, especially at the national scale in China. To compensate for the research gaps, this study first measured the SC at the county scale with the benefit transfer method, then the LF was characterized with landscape pattern indices, and finally the spatial relationships between the SC and LF from global and local perspectives through regression models were analyzed. Results showed that national values of SC services per unit area in 2000, 2010, and 2018 were $134.73/ha, $132.30/ha, and $130.71/ha, respectively, showing a continuous decreasing trend. The high-value areas were distributed in the south of the Qinling-Huaihe River, Greater Khingan Mountains, and Changbai Mountain areas. In contrast, the low-value areas were mainly distributed in northwest China. LF was low in the northwestern region, while Shanxi, Shaanxi, Hebei, and southern Gansu presented highly fragmented landscapes. The spatial regression results showed that the higher the regional LF, the lower the value of SC. Meanwhile, there was significant spatial heterogeneity in the response of SC to LF, which was closely related to population distribution and resource endowment. In the future, landscape planning, land use structure and layout can take the impact mechanism of LF on SC as the essential basis.

Using benefit transfer to estimate housing value increases from improved water clarity: A case study of lakes in Kosciusko County, Indiana.

This study provides step-by-step guidance for practitioners and local stakeholders on how to use existing study results to conduct benefit transfer (BT), and ultimately make informed predictions of how improvements in lake water clarity may benefit surrounding communities. The procedures are demonstrated using a publicly available meta-dataset developed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and a subsequent meta-analysis that synthesizes the literature on how improvements in water clarity impact home values. The BT procedures are demonstrated using a case study of 14 large lakes in Kosciusko County, Indiana. Lake-specific average increases in home values, as well as the value of the housing stock in aggregate, are calculated for illustrative improvements in lake water clarity. This analysis provides a critical bridge to better connect high-quality, academic research with real-world policy analysis, and ultimately serves to better equip local governments and stakeholders to make more informed policy and land use decisions.

Assessment of the utilisation of monetary aid and its indicators among patients on anti-tubercular treatment in north India: a cross sectional study

Background: A good dietary practices are for plays a crucial role in influencing recovery from tuberculosis and it is a modifiable risk factor. Adequate nutrition is needed for faster recovery along with proper drug absorption and other thermodynamics of drugs besides adherence to drug treatment. It helps in better weight gain besides others benefits. So, the government of India started Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) and providing monetary aid in form of Direct Benefit Transfer since March 2018 for patients. As there are very few studies which have tried to analyze and explore the effect of direct monetary benefits in many schemes. Aim and objectives of current study was to assess monetary support indicators and its utilization among TB patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted where the patients were taken using sequential sampling from Designated Microscopic Centers from January 2020 to December 2021. Data was analyzed using SPSS 20.0 and results were presented in tabular form. Results: Approximately 63.9% patients received Direct Benefit Transfer money. Approximately 69.5% of those who received money used it. However, no significant association ascertained between DBT money used and under-nutrition. Conclusions: Knowledge about TB and DBT should be provided through already existing ICT tool. Purpose of DBT money should be stressed at initiation of treatment to eliminate TB by 2025 as envisioned under National TB elimination program.

Ecosystem degradation or restoration? The evolving role of land use in China, 2000-2020.

Dramatic land use change in China affects ecosystem degradation and restoration. Identifying the evolving role of land use in ecosystem degradation and restoration in China is essential for sustainable land policy making. However, it is not clear how land use affects ecosystem degradation and restoration over time. Here, we used the revised benefit transfer approach and spatial statistics based on land use data to determine the evolving role that land use plays in ecosystem degradation and restoration in China during 2000-2020. The study results pointed out that the deterioration of the forestland ecosystem during the study period was the main reason for ecosystem degradation, while the conversion of arable land to forestland was the main cause for ecosystem restoration. Every 1% increase of land use intensity in the periods 2000-2005, 2005-2010, 2010-2015, and 2015-2020 resulted in -1.754%, 0.697%, 1.098%, and -0.058% of the changes in ecosystem services, respectively. This study provided important policy implications for future sustainable land use management in China.

Valuation of Ecosystem Services for Driving Community-assisted Forest Landscape Restoration in Endane Biodiversity Corridor, Sri Lanka

The ecosystem services: direct or indirect benefits of ecosystems to human well-being, need to be recognized in conservation and restoration decision-making. In the human-dominated southwest Sri Lanka, we have established a forest landscape restoration project (Endane Biodiversity Corridor) linking a peripheral forest reserve to Sinharaja Rainforest Complex. The ecosystem services provided by tea monocultures, abandoned tea lands, and lowland home gardens were estimated employing a range of methods for estimating respective ecosystem service values with data collected from household surveys, key stakeholder interviews, and survey of tree flora in 20 m × 20 m plots for estimating aboveground carbon stock. The benefit transfer approach was used to value the supporting and regulating services. The total value of ecosystem services provided by this forest corridor landscape was 6,465 USD ha/yr in 2021. This amount included: provisioning services of 1,950 USD ha/yr, supporting services of 645 USD ha/yr, regulating services of 3,807 USD ha/yr, and cultural services of 38.8 USD ha/yr. Overall, our forest corridor landscape of 59.3 ha provided 382,362 of USD of ecosystem services a year. In comparison to tea monoculture, species-rich home gardens generate a high amount of provisioning services. Our study site is prone to ecosystem degradation due to human activities like forest land encroachment, illegal gem mining, and over-harvesting of forest products. However, we recognize the opportunity of enhancing the biodiversity of monoculture tea gardens and home gardens of the corridor following the principles of agroforestry and enrichment planting. These results i.e., the ecosystem service values among different land uses, are imperative for financing and encouraging community participation for forest restoration activities.
 Keywords: Forest resources assessment, Forest restoration, Common-based restoration

Valuation of Ecosystem Services for Driving Community-assisted Forest Landscape Restoration in Endane Biodiversity Corridor, Sri Lanka

The ecosystem services: direct or indirect benefits of ecosystems to human well-being, need to be recognized in conservation and restoration decision-making. In the human-dominated southwest Sri Lanka, we have established a forest landscape restoration project (Endane Biodiversity Corridor) linking a peripheral forest reserve to Sinharaja Rainforest Complex. The ecosystem services provided by tea monocultures, abandoned tea lands, and lowland home gardens were estimated employing a range of methods for estimating respective ecosystem service values with data collected from household surveys, key stakeholder interviews, and survey of tree flora in 20 m × 20 m plots for estimating aboveground carbon stock. The benefit transfer approach was used to value the supporting and regulating services. The total value of ecosystem services provided by this forest corridor landscape was 6,465 USD ha/yr in 2021. This amount included: provisioning services of 1,950 USD ha/yr, supporting services of 645 USD ha/yr, regulating services of 3,807 USD ha/yr, and cultural services of 38.8 USD ha/yr. Overall, our forest corridor landscape of 59.3 ha provided 382,362 of USD of ecosystem services a year. In comparison to tea monoculture, species-rich home gardens generate a high amount of provisioning services. Our study site is prone to ecosystem degradation due to human activities like forest land encroachment, illegal gem mining, and over- harvesting of forest products. However, we recognize the opportunity of enhancing the biodiversity of monoculture tea gardens and home gardens of the corridor following the principles of agroforestry and enrichment planting. These results i.e., the ecosystem service values among different land uses, are imperative for financing and encouraging community participation for forest restoration activities.
 
 
 
 
 Keywords: Forest resources assessment, Forest restoration, Common-based restoration
 
 
 

Payment banks — A new milestone for banking penetration in India

The purpose of the banking sector in the country is to provide banking services to all the people with a simple and easy manner with this view, PMJDY was introduced in 2014 to provide bank account to unbanked people free of cost and with simplification of KYC norms. All the incentives and monetary benefits to the targeted people will reach only through direct benefit transfer scheme which is linked with bank account and Aadhar. Banks also concentrate on urban and unbanked areas through single window banking and post office savings bank scheme. With this view, payment banks play a key role in banking penetration in the country. This paper made an attempt to discuss performance of payment banks with respect to financial performance.

A double-bounded risk-risk trade-off analysis of heatwave-related mortality risk: Evidence from India

As climate variability is increasing, extreme events such as temperature fluctuations are expected to become more frequent. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are especially vulnerable to heat-related variability and its ensuing impacts on mortality. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand how citizens in LMICs trade-off climate-related mortality risks with other risks such as traffic accidents, and what values they place on reducing such risks. As populations in LMICs are income-constrained, we adopt a non-monetary, risk-risk trade-off (RRTO) valuation method instead of the standard willingness-to-pay stated preference-based approach. We estimate the resulting risk premium for heatwave-related mortality risks through an adapted double-bounded, dichotomous choice approach to establish whether, on average, people value avoiding these risks more compared to reducing traffic risks. Using a sample of over 2,300 individuals from across seven states in India, a country with one of the highest heat-related mortality globally, we estimate the heatwave risk mortality premium to be between 2.2–2.9, indicating that on average, individuals weigh reducing heatwave-related mortality risks more than two times that of reducing traffic accident mortality risks. Based on a standard benefit transfer methodology for LMICs, this premium translates to a Value of Statistical Life (VSL) of USD 0.37–2.61 million for India.

The role of Kampar watershed in achieving sufficient rice production and sustaining agriculture

Abstract Agriculture is the largest global water consumer, crucial to understanding its impact on watersheds. This study was conducted in the Kampar watershed in Riau province, covering Kampar and Pelalawan regencies. It assesses the watershed's suitability for meeting agricultural water needs, particularly for rice cultivation. The study utilizes quantitative methods, applying the Penman–Monteith technique and benefit transfer analysis to measure the water footprint of agriculture. Key indicators include blue, green, and gray water footprints. The water footprint in the Kampar watershed is 173.84 m3/t, with rice cultivation in the Kampar regency having 57.96 m3/t blue, 32.19 m3/t green, and 14.52 m3/t gray water footprints. In the Pelalawan regency, the values were 41.09 m3/t blue, 25.59 m3/t green, and 2.49 m3/t gray water footprints. The findings suggest a significant need for ample water usage from surface and groundwater in both Kampar and Pelalawan regencies for rice cultivation. Regarding the water availability in each district: Kampar regency has 1,063,281,652 m3/year and Pelalawan regency has 987,542,991 m3/year. This surplus in the Kampar watershed ensures sufficient water for rice cultivation in both districts, especially in the Kampar regency. These hold promising further agricultural development in the Riau province.

Direct benefit transfer for nutritional support of patients with TB in India—analysis of national TB program data of 3.7 million patients, 2018–2022

BackgroundPatients with TB have additional nutritional requirements and thus additional costs to the household. Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana(NPY) is a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme(NTEP) in India which offers INR 500 monthly to all notified patients with TB for nutritional support during the period of anti-TB treatment. Five years after its implementation, we conducted the first nationwide evaluation of NPY.MethodsIn our retrospective cohort study using programmatic data of patients notified with TB in nine randomly selected Indian states between 2018 and 2022, we estimated the proportion of patients who received at least one NPY instalment and the median time to receive the first instalment. We determined the factors associated (i) with non-receipt of NPY using a generalised linear model with Poisson family and log link and (ii) with time taken to receive first NPY benefit in 2022 using quantile regression at 50th percentile.ResultsOverall, 3,712,551 patients were notified between 2018 and 2022. During this period, the proportion who received at least one NPY instalment had increased from 56.9% to 76.1%. Non-receipt was significantly higher among patients notified by private sector (aRR 2.10;2.08,2.12), reactive for HIV (aRR 1.69;1.64,1.74) and with missing/undetermined diabetic status (aRR 2.02;1.98,2.05). The median(IQR) time to receive the first instalment had reduced from 200(109,331) days in 2018 to 91(51,149) days in 2022. Patients from private sector(106.9;106.3,107.4days), those with HIV-reactive (103.7;101.8,105.7days), DRTB(104.6;102.6,106.7days) and missing/undetermined diabetic status (115.3;114,116.6days) experienced longer delays.ConclusionsThe coverage of NPY among patients with TB had increased and the time to receipt of benefit had halved in the past five years. Three-fourths of the patients received at least one NPY instalment, more than half of whom had waited over three months to receive the first instalment. NTEP has to focus on timely transfer of benefits to enable patients to meet their additional nutritional demands, experience treatment success and avoid catastrophic expenditure.

Assessing vegetation cover and valuing ecosystem services in southwestern Ethiopia: Implications for conservation.

The Bench-Sheko zone, parts of the Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot, is characterized by its rich biodiversity. However, recent reductions in vegetation cover have drawn concern, highlighting the critical role of remote sensing in monitoring these alterations is critical. Furthermore, this study evaluates the economic value of the ecosystem services rendered by the diverse types of vegetation cover class in the area. The classification of vegetation types and measuring their ecosystem benefits are crucial for monitoring vegetation and analyzing land cover changes. estimating the value of ecosystem services is vital for environmental impact assessments, cost-benefit analyses, and creating payment schemes for these natural services. For the vegetation cover map, it uses Sentinel-2 satellite data and a Random Forest classifier using Google Earth Engine. Based on a properly chosen reference, ecosystem service assessment approaches include benefit transfer, direct market value, and the social cost of carbon. The results highlight the vegetation classes' enormous value and the services they offer. The largest value for Supporting Services (2829.3 USD ha⁻1yr⁻1) is found in the Remnant Forest, which makes up 30.98% of the total area. With the highest value for both cultural services (2847.7 USD ha⁻1yr⁻1) and regulatory services (5063.9 USD ha⁻1yr⁻1), the wetlands, which make up 4.35% of the total area, stand out. The total annual value of all ecosystem services provided by all vegetation classes is estimated to be 2.089 billion USD. When paired with methods for tracking and assessing changes in vegetation cover over time, high-resolution satellite images and precise classification algorithms can offer insightful information on the condition of the environment and support informed decision-making. In order to evaluate and convey to society and policymakers the advantages of vegetation cover, the value of ecosystem services is essential.

Economic Valuation of Mangrove Forest Ecosystem in Zamboanga City, Philippines

Mangrove forests are considered one of the most productive and biologically diverse ecosystems in the world. The purpose of conducting this economic valuation study of the mangrove forest ecosystem is to ensure the effective use of mangrove resources by raising the public and decision-maker's awareness of the potential use and benefits of mangroves to the community and the environment. This study assessed the total economic value of the mangrove forest ecosystem in Zamboanga City, Philippines by taking into account the direct use values of mangroves (for example; shrimp value, crab value, and mollusks value), indirect use values of mangroves (for example, the fish value obtained from the nursery and breeding grounds potential of mangroves, coastal protection value of mangroves which include sediment trap for erosion prevention and mangrove protection from strong waves and flooding, and sequestering carbon in the atmosphere), and the people’s willingness-to-pay and willingness-to-work for the option value of the mangrove forest (for example; future potential direct use and indirect use of mangroves). A research survey was conducted to the mangrove beneficiaries (for example, fisherman, crab and shrimp seeker, shellfish/mollusks picker) of Barangay Mampang, and Barangay Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City. Data was collected in April 2022. The market price method was used to calculate the direct use value of mangroves. Replacement cost and Benefit transfer methods were used to assess the indirect use value of mangroves. While the Contingent valuation method was used to determine the option value of mangroves by assessing the willingness-to-pay and willingness-to-work of the respondents for the mangrove conservation and protection program. The total economic value of mangroves in Barangay Mampang and Barangay Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City amounts to 1,559,918.88 United States Dollars/year. The direct use value of mangroves reached 661,703.47 United States Dollars/year from the operational costs and market prices of the various fishery resources provided by the mangrove forest. While the Indirect use value of mangroves reached 881,524.30 United States Dollars/year obtained from the potential of mangroves to provide nursery, feeding, and breeding grounds for fish, protect the coast from flooding and storm surges, and sequester carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The average willingness-to-pay of the respondents for the mangrove conservation and protection program is 8.16 United States Dollars/household/year. Their mean willingness-to-work is 6 labor days/month, equivalent to 184.86 United States Dollars/year in monetary terms at the local wage rate. The total option value of mangroves obtained by adding the amount willing-to-pay and amount willing-to-work of the respondents reached 22,296.11 United States Dollars/year. Mangrove Forest benefits the coastal communities by providing nursery, feeding, and breeding grounds for fishery resources, protecting coastal communities from strong waves, and flooding, and sequestering carbon in the atmosphere. To sustainably maintain the provision of goods and services provided by the mangroves, participation in cash or in kind of the beneficiaries are essential as part of the mangrove conservation initiatives in Zamboanga City. The researchers of the study recommend the policymakers, and the local government unit of Zamboanga to use this economic valuation study as a reference in implementing mangrove conservation programs and developing policies concerning the effective use and management of mangrove resources.

Who found it easy to avail nutritional support through direct benefit transfer under national TB elimination programme in Eastern India: an early evidence from Jharkhand

Background: National TB Programme of India launched Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in April 2018, to provide financial support for additional nutritional requirement during TB treatment. This study aims to understand the enabling attributes in availing Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) among notified TB patients from the Indian state of Jharkhand for the year 2019. Methods: This is a retrospective cross sectional descriptive study using secondary data obtained from Nikshay web portal for the Indian state of Jharkhand in the year 2019. State level data on TB Notification and NPY DBT scheme is downloaded from the Nikshay portal in excel format and analysed using Excel 2016 version. Odds Ratio and P value are calculated and analysed to prove any statistically significant associations. Results: The study found higher odds (1.08, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.14; P value 0.004) of having patients who belong to 15 to 65 years, female sex (odds ratio 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.09; P value 0.018), seeking care in public sector (odds ratio 4.05, 95% CI: 3.83, 4.27; P value <0.00001) and with drug sensitive TB (DS TB) (odds ratio 1.39, 95% CI: 1.1, 1.59; P value <0.00001), among those who received at least one instalment of DBT. Conclusions: TB patients belonging to productive age group, female sex, seeking care in public sector and with DS TB have higher odds of receiving NPY among the study population.

Impact of Nikshay Poshan Yojana on tuberculosis outcomes: preliminary evidence from eastern India

Background: National TB programme of India implemented Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) through direct benefit transfer (DBT) in April 2018. This is to address the dual evils of under nutrition and unfavourable outcomes among tuberculosis patients in the country. This study aimed to understand the impact of Nikshay Poshan Yojana (NPY) through direct benefit transfer (DBT) on the outcomes of notified TB patients from the Indian state of Jharkhand for the year 2019. Methods: This was a retrospective cross sectional descriptive study using secondary data obtained from Nikshay web portal for the Indian state of Jharkhand for the year 2019. State level data on TB notification and NPY DBT scheme was downloaded in excel format and analysed using Excel 2016 version. Results: The study found higher odds (odds ratio 3.14, 95% CI: 2.97, 3.33; p value <0.00001) of having successful outcomes, among those who received at least one instalment of NPY. The risk of lost to follow up (LTFU) was 2.44 times (95% CI: 2.2-2.8, p value: 3.9×10-43) higher among those who did not receive any DBT payments as compared to those who received at least one DBT instalment. Conclusions: The ‘individual and health system enablers’ have a crucial role to play in successful TB treatment outcomes than NPY. However, LTFU rate reduces significantly with timely payment of NPY. This would facilitate improved treatment adherence and thus a favourable outcome.

Estimasi Nilai Manfaat Ekonomi Pengelolaan Minyak Jelantah Rumah Tangga di Kampung Kebon Kopi, Desa Cibanteng, Kabupaten Bogor

Waste Cooking Oil (WCO) refers to the residual oil or by-products resulting from food frying. Typically, Indonesians dispose of WCO into the environment. However, if appropriately managed, WCO can serve as a secondary raw material for non-food products, offering economic benefits. Kebon Kopi Village in Bogor Regency has initiated WCO collection programs. This study aims to estimate WCO generation in Kebon Kopi Village households and evaluate the economic benefits of WCO management. Quantitative descriptive methods, employing the SNI-19-3964-1994 approach, income analysis, and benefits transfer, were utilized. Findings revealed that, on average, households in Kebon Kopi Village produce 9,42 liters of WCO annually. The collective WCO generation by all households in the village amounts to an estimated 3.118,44 liters per year. The economic benefits derived from WCO management for households equate to IDR 2.024.853 per household per year. Overall, the direct economic benefits of used cooking oil management in Kebon Kopi Village appear modest due to the relatively small amount of WCO produced by each household.

The impacts of land use/cover changes on values of ecosystem service in Tul watershed, Northwest Ethiopia

There has been a rise in interest in the relationship between ecosystem service values and land cover change resulting from sustainable land management. Changes in land use/cover caused by soil and water conservation practices combined with plantation practices can have an impact on the values systems of ecosystem service. The study aims to address the issue of how changes in land use/cover influence ecosystem values in Ethiopia’s Tul watershed. To estimate ecosystem service values in the study watershed, the benefits transfer method of the modified value coefficient was used. The total ESV decreased by US$4.2 million between 1990 and 2010 while increasing by US$4.3 million between 2010 and 2021. The expansion of plantation practices in the watershed contributes to the improvement of the values of ecosystem service. The major ecosystem functions that influence changes in the ecosystem service values are climate regulation, erosion control, waste treatment, and the nutrient cycle. It is concluded that there needs to be scaled up the controlled management of natural forests and shrublands in steep slope areas, and sustainable plantation practices enhance the values of ecosystem service.

Impact of Land Use Changes on Ecosystem Services Supply: A Meta Analysis of the Italian Context

Changes in land use and land cover (LULC) are caused by several factors, including climate change, socio-demographic dynamics, human pressures and urban sprawl. These factors alter the structure and functionality of ecosystems and their capacity to provide ecosystem goods and services to society. The study of LULC changes is important for understanding the dynamics of relationships between environmental, social and economic components and for analyzing the factors affecting natural capital. Including ecosystem services (ES) in spatial planning tools and sectoral policies is useful for improving governance. In this paper, the impact of LULC changes on ES provision has been estimated. To this end, we carried out a literature review (Step 1) to select the biophysical and economic coefficients of ES supply by land cover classes and collect them in a database (Step 2). We subsequently aggregated the economic and biophysical coefficients by macro classes (Step 3) and, using the benefit transfer approach, we estimated the change in the supply of ESs concerning permanence and transition phenomena in Italy from 1990 to 2018 (Step 4). The transition phenomena analysis also allowed us to evaluate the consequences of urbanization and urban green space governance on ES supply. Indeed, these urban green spaces can help reduce risks to people’s health and safety and mitigate the effects induced by climate change. In total, approximately 800 coefficients (biophysical and economic) of ESs supplied by Corine Land Cover classes were acquired. The results show a reduction in the annual supply of ecosystem services of EUR 927 million (2022) caused by LULC changes between 1990 and 2018. This research proposes a methodology to improve knowledge of ESs concerning anthropogenic impacts and to support land-use planning policies regarding Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals.

Legal characteristics of the contract on non-disclosure of confidential information

The article examines the legal characteristics of a non-disclosure agreement. The author determines the place of a non-disclosure agreement among causal, abstract, equivalent and aleatory contracts and the possibility of its recognition as a public, conditional, mixed and accession agreement. The author emphasises that the Causa of a non-disclosure agreement is clearly defined and consists of the creation of negative obligations which must be reflected in the contract. The purpose is of fundamental importance for its validity and is reflected in the wording of its subject matter and other provisions of its content. The paper proves that since the agreement on non-disclosure of confidential information is aimed at creating negative obligations and, in most cases, is gratuitous, it is advisable to speak not of the transfer of benefits by the parties to each other but of the creation of counter-obligations on non-disclosure. It is noted that a non-disclosure agreement is concluded not to transfer a benefit (information) but to enable the fulfilment of employment duties, service obligations, etc. The author notes that the contract under study is not a substitute contract but a preventive one, creating conditions for preventing disclosure of information. As a result of the research, the author concludes that in most cases, a non-disclosure agreement is causal, aleatory, mutually agreed, comprehensive and not public. However, due to this agreement's lack of detailed legal regulation, the parties may enter into a mixed agreement on non-disclosure of confidential information, which may be a conditional transaction, etc.