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Evaluating Interactions of Forest Conservation Policies on Avoided Deforestation

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  • Juan Robalino
  • Catalina Sandoval
  • David N Barton
  • Adriana Chacon
  • Alexander Pfaff

Abstract

We estimate the effects on deforestation that have resulted from policy interactions between parks and payments and between park buffers and payments in Costa Rica between 2000 and 2005. We show that the characteristics of the areas where protected and unprotected lands are located differ significantly. Additionally, we find that land characteristics of each of the policies and of the places where they interact also differ significantly. To adequately estimate the effects of the policies and their interactions, we use matching methods. Matching is implemented not only to define adequate control groups, as in previous research, but also to define those groups of locations under the influence of policies that are comparable to each other. We find that it is more effective to locate parks and payments away from each other, rather than in the same location or near each other. The high levels of enforcement inside both parks and lands with payments, and the presence of conservation spillovers that reduce deforestation near parks, significantly reduce the potential impact of combining these two policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Juan Robalino & Catalina Sandoval & David N Barton & Adriana Chacon & Alexander Pfaff, 2015. "Evaluating Interactions of Forest Conservation Policies on Avoided Deforestation," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(4), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0124910
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0124910
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Robalino, Juan A., 2007. "Land conservation policies and income distribution: who bears the burden of our environmental efforts?," Environment and Development Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 12(4), pages 521-533, August.
    2. Alexander Pfaff & Juan Robalino, 2012. "Protecting forests, biodiversity, and the climate: predicting policy impact to improve policy choice," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 28(1), pages 164-179, Spring.
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    7. Pfaff, Alexander & Robalino, Juan & Lima, Eirivelthon & Sandoval, Catalina & Herrera, Luis Diego, 2014. "Governance, Location and Avoided Deforestation from Protected Areas: Greater Restrictions Can Have Lower Impact, Due to Differences in Location," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 7-20.
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