Title: Managing natural capital at a NZ University: toward a comprehensive accountability model

Authors: Grant Samkin; Brennan Allen; Jessica Horrox; Annika Schneider

Addresses: Department of Accounting, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand ' Department of Accounting, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand ' CooperAitken Ltd, Morrinsville, New Zealand ' Department of Accounting, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

Abstract: The objective of this paper was to use a modified Jones (1996) natural capital inventory model to construct a baseline inventory of species, as well as the number of individual specimens against which future increases and decreases in the fern inventory of NZ University can be measured. By comparing historical records to the fern inventory, the paper provides some preliminary views on the university's stewardship of ferns. The study found that although the natural inventory model developed by Jones (1996) has utility in informing research into measuring and inventory of biodiversity and natural assets, it has inherent limitations when applied to situations involving complex accountabilities. While the relative simplicity of the model makes it a helpful tool for thinking about management of natural capital in 'wilderness' contexts, its usefulness in urban and already modified environments is more doubtful. A new model which takes into account complex accountability relationships was developed. This is the first paper that considers the accounting for biodiversity by a higher education provider.

Keywords: biodiversity; natural capital management; environmental stewardship; ferns; accountability models; universities; New Zealand; natural capital inventory; fern inventory; higher education.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2014.065027

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2014 Vol.15 No.4, pp.215 - 238

Received: 08 Mar 2014
Accepted: 22 May 2014
Published online: 30 Sep 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article