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Deforestation and economic development: Evidence from national borders

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  • Crespo Cuaresma, Jesús
  • Heger, Martin

Abstract

Does economic development result in tree cover loss for poor countries, but not so for already more developed countries? Using a new subnational dataset and employing a quasi-experimental method, this paper addresses this question using tree cover loss data for 14 contiguous countries. The analysis uses geographical regression discontinuity (using national borders as discontinuities) and our findings show that Sub-Saharan Africa and low-income countries in general have the highest development-deforestation elasticity.

Suggested Citation

  • Crespo Cuaresma, Jesús & Heger, Martin, 2019. "Deforestation and economic development: Evidence from national borders," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 347-353.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:84:y:2019:i:c:p:e347-e353
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.12.039
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Maria Alice Moz-Christofoletti & Paula Carvalho Pereda & Wesley Campanharo, 2022. "Does Decentralized and Voluntary Commitment Reduce Deforestation? The Effects of Programa Municípios Verdes," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 82(1), pages 65-100, May.
    3. Wilfredo L. Maldonado & Jessica A. Barbosa, 2023. "Determinants of Agricultural Fires: An Aggregative Games Approach," Working Papers, Department of Economics 2023_12, University of São Paulo (FEA-USP).
    4. Leijten, Floris & Sim, Sarah & King, Henry & Verburg, Peter H., 2021. "Local deforestation spillovers induced by forest moratoria: Evidence from Indonesia," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 109(C).
    5. Nicolae Stef & Sami Ben Jabeur, 2020. "Climate Change Legislations and Environmental Degradation," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 77(4), pages 839-868, December.
    6. Badoubatoba Mathieu DISSANI & Kossi AYENAGBO & Kodjo N’SOUVI, 2021. "The Impact of Deforestation on CO2 Emissions: Evidence from WAEMU," International Journal of Science and Business, IJSAB International, vol. 5(5), pages 75-87.
    7. Heger, Martin Philipp & Zens, Gregor & Bangalore, Mook, 2020. "Land and poverty: the role of soil fertility and vegetation quality in poverty reduction," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 115658, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Deforestation; Poverty; Economic development;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • O44 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Environment and Growth
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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