Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe - Volume 1, issue 4

Authors: Rapport, D.J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The Stress-Response Environmental Statistical System (STRESS), developed by Statistics Canada provides a basis for describing change in the Laurentian Lower Great Lakes. Indicators of environmental change include primary productivity, nutrient concentration, biotic composition, and contaminants found in biota and sediments. Sources of stress include generation of waste residuals, physical restructuring (particularly the loss of wetlands), overharvesting and the introduction of non-native biota. Existing data suffice to reflect the main features of STRESS. In cases where direct measures of ecosystem response were not available, surrogates were generally found. Ecosystem data is inherently highly variable and only for long-term intensive …monitoring series can trends through time be firmly established. Currently, available data are more useful in making inter-regional comparisons, than in establishing time trends. The stress data proved to be the most difficult to document. This is particularly true for pollutant loadings from diffuse sources (e.g. from the atmosphere or the drainage basin). STRESS serves to integrate water quality and fisheries perspectives within an ecosystem context. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1983-1401

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 377-405, 1983

Authors: Polfeldt, Thomas

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The concern about changes in environmental conditions has increased rapidly in the last decades. At the UN conference on the human environment in Stockholm in June, 1972, the problems were expressed and steps towards solutions were initiated. The Declaration and the Recommendations of the conference point to four fairly wide areas of concern: (1) the control of natural resources, including land use and energy resources; (2) pollution and its health effects; (3) the state of the environment; (4) environmental protection. In Sweden, there are three main laws governing activities with an impact on the environment. These laws, as well …as a great number of committee reports, the programmes of the political parties, the research in the area, all confirm that the items 1–4 are the main areas of concern. The most important uses of information in the four areas are tied to the management of natural resources and energy, the identification of harmful effects, particularly in humans, the prevention of harmful effects by control and protection measures, and the checks of law enforcements and effects. The main users are decision-makers in government and industry, political parties, the media, environmental protection groups, scientists, universities and schools. Important problems of statistical methodology encountered in environmental statistics still remain unsolved. This is true in particular for the fundamental issues of population, frame and suitable parameters in the case of e.g., air and water quality statistics. Some related problems concern the possibilities to use monitoring data for statistics. Time series are of great interest in environmental statistics, not least in view of our limited knowledge of many ecological interconnections. One reason is that time series, and trends, are often easier to interpret than the numbers indicating levels. The closely connected theory and techniques of spatial variation must also be expected to play an important role in environmental statistics. Another set of problems is connected with the geographical units used for presentation of the data. A number of such areas, which are not now used in statistics, seem to be desirable for various parameters. A search for some compact form of environmental information is natural in view of the wealth of environmental variables and data. It gives rise to the compilation of both indices and indicators. Mathematical models are an important tool for, e.g., meteorologists and hydrologists, and some statistics are based on such models. The problems of assessing the accuracy or, more generally, the quality of the data must be tackled in co-operation with the data supplying agencies. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1983-1402

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 407-417, 1983

Authors: Weber, J.-L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The lack of statistical assessments of the natural patrimony has often entailed its neglect in economic decision-making. Statistical data on the natural patrimony are currently prepared by both scientists and managers at various levels. For example, ministries of the environment in a number of countries have, over the past years, begun to collect data and to compile materials on energy balances for several key products. However, in decision-making and in the social and political debate which precedes it, a factor can only be fully taken into account if two conditions are met: (a) the various specialists and decision-makers must share …a common language; and (b) there must be a limited quantity of aggregated statistical data making it possible to maintain an argument. These are the two general purposes for which French natural patrimony accounts are intended. Natural patrimony accounts are meant to be management tool in order to encourage decision-makers to take the environment into account. In other words, managers should take stock of the impact of their actions upon the environment and they should account for the use which they make of the natural resources under their responsibility. At the same time, central authorities are provided with an overall supervisory and decision-making tool. It is possible to set up an account for each component of the natural patrimony on the basis of existing knowledge. The aggregate of these elementary accounts can be compiled using procedures derived from national economic accounting practices. Furthermore, the existence of aggregates which are representative of the overall trends of the natural patrimony, defined from three specific viewpoints (ecological, economic, and socio-cultural) can be assumed. At the present time, the result of the preparatory work on the natural patrimony accounts is the proposal of a set of consistent frameworks for the compilation of statistics. These frameworks have been defined on the basis of four observational approaches, each covering the totality of the natural patrimony. They are: (a) the demography of objects; (b) the functioning of ecosystems; (c) the competition to occupy a finite space; and (d) the appropriation by man (including the indirect effects of human activities). These observational approaches are complementary and the frameworks derived from them are interconnected. Furthermore, they are linked to the national economic accounts. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1983-1403

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 419-444, 1983

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The decision to provide for information on the state and development of natural resources in Norway was taken in the early seventies. The decision aimed at the establishment of resource accounts as well as of resource budgets, which were intended for the co-ordination and presentation of proposals for future resource use. The system of Norwegian resource accounts (SRA), as of the start of its development, was designed as being fully compatible with national accounts. The inventory of existing resources as well as the functions they serve in human activities are seen as inputs to governmental decision-making. The SRA thus …calls for two types of general classification. The ‘functional’ classification is primarily based on the physical characteristics of natural resources. The ‘managerial’ classification distinguishes material resources from environmental resources. At a more detailed level, the SRA starts with measurement of stocks and equivalents of stocks of natural resources. It proceeds with an assessment of the services rendered by such resources and their uses in human activities. The circle is closed by the measurement of the impact of human activities on natural resources. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1983-1404

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 445-461, 1983

Authors: Jeays, T.M.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Registers of business entities are maintained by many national statistical offices, and are used as survey frames for economic censuses and sample surveys. They can be created and maintained from administrative data sources such as taxation files. Classification data is normally added by the statistical office, and it should be correct and timely, and applied in a consistent manner throughout the register. Although businesses must often be represented by complex reporting structures, hierarchical numbering systems are not recommended. Record linkage techniques are important in merging administrative lists with the register, and in detecting duplicates within it. Computer systems designed to …maintain a register will usually employ modern data base techniques, and may make use of dedicated equipment. Data dictionary techniques are needed to make the register maintenance system sufficiently flexible to adapt to new demands. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1983-1405

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 463-475, 1983

Authors: Oleński, Józef

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A re-definition of the concept of statistical meta-data can be based on the concept of ‘statistical indicator’. The structural (semiotic) model of ‘statistical indicator’ is seen as the fundamental semantic structure of statistical meta-data. Relations between statistical indicators (i.e. partitive, procedural, hierarchical, lexical, associative and attributive) also merit discussion. The main structural forms of meta-data can be developed and specified on this basis: classification, nomenclature, systematized list and descriptor language. These structural forms of meta-data are used for the design of statistical surveys and the development and maintenance of registers and dictionaries, which are the instruments for the realization of …meta-data functions in the statistical information system: interpretation, identification, organization and co-ordination of data and surveys. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1983-1406

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 477-484, 1983

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/SJU-1983-1407

Citation: Statistical Journal of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, vol. 1, no. 4, pp. 485-486, 1983