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Synergies between livestock production and hydrological function in Arenal, Costa Rica

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  • Aylward, Bruce
  • Echeverría, Jaime

Abstract

Conventional wisdom amongst environmentalists holds that the cutting of tropical forest for livestock production is not only bad business but also bad for the environment. In particular, it is thought that conversion to pasture leads to a rise in the sedimentation of waterways and reservoirs, an increase in flooding and loss of dry season water supply. Using the case of the Rio Chiquito watershed (which drains into Lake Arenal, Costa Rica), the paper questions this conventional wisdom. The paper demonstrates that both livestock production and the associated downstream hydrological impacts represent important values to the local economy; values that significantly outweigh expected returns from options for reforestation or forest regeneration. Given that non-hydrological externalities associated with livestock production are expected to be of minimal importance in the watershed, there is little reason – as is often proposed – to foster large-scale reforestation of the watershed or to purchase land for protection. Instead efforts should focus on how to maximize the complementary returns from livestock and the support to hydroelectric power provided by water production.

Suggested Citation

  • Aylward, Bruce & Echeverría, Jaime, 2001. "Synergies between livestock production and hydrological function in Arenal, Costa Rica," Environment and Development Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 6(3), pages 359-381, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:cup:endeec:v:6:y:2001:i:03:p:359-381_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Lele, Sharachchandra & Srinivasan, Veena, 2013. "Disaggregated economic impact analysis incorporating ecological and social trade-offs and techno-institutional context: A case from the Western Ghats of India," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 98-112.
    2. Sáenz, Leonardo & Mulligan, Mark, 2013. "The role of Cloud Affected Forests (CAFs) on water inputs to dams," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 5(C), pages 69-77.
    3. Edward B. Barbier & Angela Cindy Emefa Mensah & Michelan Wilson, 2023. "Valuing the Environment as Input, Ecosystem Services and Developing Countries," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 84(3), pages 677-694, March.
    4. Sharachchandra Lele, 2009. "The Economic Impact of Forest Hydrological Services on Local Communities: A Case Study from the Western Ghats of India," Working Papers id:1820, eSocialSciences.

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