'What we need to do is inventory the different types of agricultural landscapes and bring to light the typical rural architecture, such as the acequias and desagües (irrigation supply canals and excess water drains). We need to find ways of conserving the landscape, including the flora and fauna as well as the role the agricultural landscape has played in the evolution of the surrounding area. Before we abandon the past (flood irrigation) for the contemporary (drip irrigation), we need a thorough analysis of the pros and cons of each system for the whole cultural landscape. The future may be one where the old and new learn to coexist, such as the hoe with the plow' (Arellano, 2014, p. 204).

a b s t r a c tThis paper investigates the production of Nannochloropsis sp. algae at five different sites located in the southwestern region of the United States. Studies of the economic viability of algae production typically calculate the Capital and Operating Expenses of stylized algal production firms with minimal understanding of the linkages between production and input variables that drive the costs being estimated. These results work towards filling this gap by estimating several production functions using real world data. Our dataset includes 10,316 days of algae growth, from which we generate 495 growth period observations. Particularly, the study analyzes the relationship between variation in input factors over a growth period and the resulting algae production measured by ash free dry weight. We carry out several multivariate econometric regression analyses. The variables photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), length of growth periods, and the growth of Nannochloropsis salina result in increased algae production. Algae production at the Texas AgriLife at Texas A&M University in Pecos, Texas, and Flour Bluff, Texas, resulted in higher algae production than the three sites in New Mexico. Increases in the initial algae inoculation levels and average precipitation consistently indicated a negative relationship with algae production in our model. These results should be useful for further studies aiming to connect real world algae production decisions with measures of costs and profitability.

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From a traditional market economy perspective, the productivity attained when water and land is used for acequias is much lower than the productivity achieved when applying these same resources to urban and industrial uses. An analysis of key stakeholders has indicated that there are cultural and environmental attributes of acequia agriculture landscapes that are not captured in the market-assigned value of acequias. This analysis revealed the motivations behind the value placed on acequias by government, developers, policy organizations, religious groups, and other stakeholders. Such context may not be fully captured in a quantitative nonmarket valuation study. This research also identified potential policy and management initiatives that could improve the nonmarket value of acequias. These include investments in less water intensive acequia infrastructure and agriculture techniques; supporting education and research of the cultural and environmental contributions of acequias; and promoting the interests in tourism in acequia communities.

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