The implicit market price of soil erosion: An estimation using a hedonic model with spatial spillovers

Submitted by Cristóbal Vásquez on

We estimate the implicit market price of soil erosion using quarterly data of 2824 agricultural farms traded in Uruguay between 2000 and 2014. A unique feature of our estimation is that we allow for possible spatial spillovers. We find evidence of a negative and statistically significant association between erosion and land values. On average, an additional loss of 1% of the original topsoil due to erosion is associated with a direct (own) decrease of .24% in the per‐hectare price of agricultural land (P‐value: .012, 95% CI: −.0042, −.0005).

Climate Change, Conservation

Out of sight, not out of mind: The effect of access to conservation sites on the willingness to pay for protecting endangered species

Submitted by Cristóbal Vásquez on

According to the latest global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services, nature and biodiversity have experienced a global decline, making the development of conservation policies urgent. Herein, we used a contingent valuation survey to estimate the economic value of a reintroduction program for the huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus), an endangered charismatic species in Chile. Our novel approach exploits changes in the access to the site to disentangle nonuse value from use value.

Conservation

Eco‐Innovation: Drivers and Obstacles for Agriculture Firms in a Developing Country

Submitted by Cristóbal Vásquez on

Sustainable agriculture is becoming increasingly vital for food security and economic growth, particularly as the agricultural sector grapples with challenges posed by climate change. This study, grounded in the environmental innovation theory, resource‐based view, and dynamic capabilities approach, uses logistic and multinomial logistic regression models to evaluate the eco‐innovation behavior of agricultural firms in Chile. We focus on the impact of technology push, market pull, regulatory push or pull, and firm‐specific factors on eco‐innovations.

Agriculture

Laser land leveling technology for paddy mono-cropping system in Vietnam: addressing land fragmentation, demand heterogeneity and productivity

Submitted by Luat Do on
EfD Authors:

PurposeThe study investigates determinants of willingness to pay (WTP) for laser land leveling (LLL) technology, its demand heterogeneity across individual farmers and plot characteristics and the technology's empirical impact on paddy productivity.Design/methodology/approachThe study applies the Becker-DeGroote, Marschak style to elicit the WTP for LLL technology and the Cragg model to examine the determinants of the WTP to capture both the demand decision and affordability.

Land, Policy Design

Toward a relational biodiversity economics: Embedding plural values for sustainability transformation

Submitted by Agha Inya on

The prioritization of market over nonmarket values of nature is a key driver of the global biodiversity crisis. Recognizing nature’s diverse values in decisions is a fundamental lever for sustainability transformation. While economic valuation of nature has a long history, it has struggled to recognize the full suite of nature’s values, particularly the broad, relational, intrinsic, and shared values reflecting the complexity of human–nature relationships.

Biodiversity

Protected areas can serve as infrastructure against extreme events

Submitted by Daniela Rivera… on

Protected areas are not only key to biodiversity conservation but can also function as natural infrastructure that could reduce the impact of extreme weather events. This policy brief explores how forests, mangroves, and wetlands in Guatemala and Costa Rica can mitigate floods and landslides, and under what conditions these benefits are realized.

Climate Change, Conservation, Land, Policy Design, Water

Essays on Agricultural Productivity and Climate Resilience in Ethiopia: Insights into Conservation Practices, Public Works, and Land Cover Change

Submitted by Petra Hansson on
EfD Authors:

Abstract

This dissertation explores the interconnected dynamics of agricultural productivity, climate resilience, and sustainable land management in rural Ethiopia. It evaluates the effects of targeted conservation information on productivity, examines the role of public works in resource conservation and labor engagement, and analyzes the impact of land cover changes on agricultural output.

Agriculture, Climate Change, Conservation, Experiments, Land, Water