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Science, economics and the design of agricultural conservation programmes in the US

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  • Madhu Khanna
  • Amy Ando

Abstract

Conservation programmes in the US have emphasised retirement of land from crop production as a mechanism for achieving multiple environmental benefits. Several features of these programmes, such as their eligibility criteria, participation incentives and length of contract, influence the performance of these programmes and their ease of implementation. The design of these programmes has evolved over time in an effort to increase environmental benefits while lowering costs. This paper reviews the key features of land retirement programmes in the US and their implications for programme effectiveness. In particular, it examines the potential benefits from spatial targeting of programme participants, linking contract length to the ecological services being targeted and relying more on science-based models for improving programme outcomes. Targeted land management focuses conservation practices on those portions of the landscape where they will achieve the greatest gains in environmental quality using limited programme budgets. The scientific basis for targeting conservation efforts is improving through better understanding of ecological and hydrological processes; however, better guidelines need to be developed to incorporate this understanding in developing decision support tools that local programme administrators can use effectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Madhu Khanna & Amy Ando, 2009. "Science, economics and the design of agricultural conservation programmes in the US," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(5), pages 575-592.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:jenpmg:v:52:y:2009:i:5:p:575-592
    DOI: 10.1080/09640560902958115
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ragot, Lionel & Schubert, Katheline, 2008. "The optimal carbon sequestration in agricultural soils: Do the dynamics of the physical process matter?," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 32(12), pages 3847-3865, December.
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    3. Russell, Noel P. & Sauer, Johannes, 2012. "Beneficial selection and the efficient procurement of ecosystem services," 2012 Annual Meeting, August 12-14, 2012, Seattle, Washington 124894, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    4. Polyakov, Maksym & Dempster, Fiona & Park, Geoff & Pannell, David J., 2023. "Joining the dots versus growing the blobs: Evaluating spatial targeting strategies for ecological restoration," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 204(PA).
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    6. Liu, M. & Huang, G.H. & Liao, R.F. & Li, Y.P. & Xie, Y.L., 2013. "Fuzzy two-stage non-point source pollution management model for agricultural systems—A case study for the Lake Tai Basin, China," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 121(C), pages 27-41.
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    8. Agata Spaziante & Carlo Rega & Mirko Carbone, 2013. "Spatial Analysis of Agri-environmental Measures for the SEA of Rural Development Programmes," SCIENZE REGIONALI, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2013(2), pages 93-115.
    9. Sharma, Bijay P. & Cho, Seong-Hoon, 2021. "Analyzing how forest-based amenity values and carbon storage benefits affect spatial targeting for conservation investment," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    10. David Evans & Andrew Reeson, 2022. "The Performance of a Repeated Discriminatory Price Auction for Ecosystem Services," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 81(4), pages 787-806, April.
    11. Drechsler, Martin & Grimm, Volker, 2022. "Land-use hysteresis triggered by staggered payment schemes for more permanent biodiversity conservation," MPRA Paper 110361, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    12. Meyer, Claas & Chen, Cheng & Matzdorf, Bettina, 2018. "Qualitative comparative institutional analysis of environmental governance: Implications from research on payments for ecosystem services," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 34(PB), pages 169-180.
    13. Lennox, Gareth D. & Armsworth, Paul R., 2011. "Suitability of short or long conservation contracts under ecological and socio-economic uncertainty," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 222(15), pages 2856-2866.
    14. Russell, Noel P. & Sauer, Johannes, 2012. "Efficient Procurement of Ecosystem Services – Adverse versus Beneficial Selection," 86th Annual Conference, April 16-18, 2012, Warwick University, Coventry, UK 134988, Agricultural Economics Society.
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    16. Messer, Kent D. & Duke, Joshua M. & Lynch, Lori & Li, Tongzhe, 2017. "When Does Public Information Undermine the Efficiency of Reverse Auctions for the Purchase of Ecosystem Services?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 212-226.

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