Contagious development: Neighbor interactions in deforestation

A-Tier
Journal: Journal of Development Economics
Year: 2012
Volume: 97
Issue: 2
Pages: 427-436

Score contribution per author:

2.011 = (α=2.01 / 2 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

We estimate neighbor interactions in deforestation in Costa Rica. To address simultaneity and the presence of spatially correlated unobservables, we measure for neighbors' deforestation using the slopes of neighbors' and neighbors' neighbors' parcels. We find that neighboring deforestation significantly raises the probability of deforestation. Policies for agricultural development or forest conservation in one area will affect deforestation rates in non-targeted neighboring areas. Correct estimation of the interaction reverses the naive estimate's prediction of multiple equilibria.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:eee:deveco:v:97:y:2012:i:2:p:427-436
Journal Field
Development
Author Count
2
Added to Database
2026-01-29