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Tree Cover Perforation and Malaria: Evidence from Colombia

Author

Listed:
  • Allen Blackman

    (Inter-American Development Bank)

  • Emilio Leguízamo

    (Inter-American Development Bank)

Abstract

A growing literature seeks to econometrically identify the link between tree cover change and malaria, two of the most pressing problems facing the Global South. However, we know little about the effect of tree cover fragmentation on malaria transmission, even though correlational evidence suggests that this effect may be important. We use municipality-level panel data from Colombia along with two-way fixed effects models to identify the effect on malaria incidence of changes in two measures of tree cover fragmentation—perforation and edge—as well as of a conventional measure of aggregate tree cover loss. We find that perforation in core areas of tree cover spurs malaria transmission. Evidence for the effects of changes in edge and aggregate loss is weaker. On average, a one-percentage-point increase in contemporaneous perforation leads to a 12.7% increase in malaria cases. This effect is stronger in municipalities with gold production and in those with coca production. These findings provide further evidence that forest conservation has significant benefits for local communities. They can also help stakeholders improve the efficacy of policies to stem malaria transmission.

Suggested Citation

  • Allen Blackman & Emilio Leguízamo, 2024. "Tree Cover Perforation and Malaria: Evidence from Colombia," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 87(8), pages 2067-2093, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:enreec:v:87:y:2024:i:8:d:10.1007_s10640-023-00830-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s10640-023-00830-1
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Coca; Deforestation; Fixed effects; Fragmentation; Gold; Health; Panel data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q23 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Forestry
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • Q57 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Ecological Economics
    • I15 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health - - - Health and Economic Development

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