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Cloud Cover and Satellite Images of Deforestation

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  • J. S. Butler
  • Christine Moser

Abstract

Most studies of deforestation rely on land-cover data interpreted from satellite images. However, it is often difficult, particularly in moist forest areas, to obtain cloud-free images. Dropping or imputing missing values from satellite data relies on the assumption of independence of irrelevant alternatives (IIA), which implies that clouds are independent of the occurrence of forests. We test whether IIA holds for the case of Madagascar. We reject IIA for the amount of forest lost, demonstrating that estimates of deforestation and studies that use deforestation data from satellite images could potentially be biased without the proper corrections for cloud cover.

Suggested Citation

  • J. S. Butler & Christine Moser, 2007. "Cloud Cover and Satellite Images of Deforestation," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 83(2), pages 166-173.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:landec:v:83:y:2007:i:2:p:166-173
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cropper, Maureen & Puri, Jyotsna & Griffiths, Charles, 2001. "How the location of roads and protected areas affects deforestation in North Thailand," Policy Research Working Paper Series 2583, The World Bank.
    2. Chomitz, Kenneth M & Gray, David A, 1996. "Roads, Land Use, and Deforestation: A Spatial Model Applied to Belize," The World Bank Economic Review, World Bank, vol. 10(3), pages 487-512, September.
    3. Pfaff, Alexander S. P., 1999. "What Drives Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon?: Evidence from Satellite and Socioeconomic Data," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 37(1), pages 26-43, January.
    4. Gerald C. Nelson & GVirginia Harris & Steven W. Stone, 2001. "Deforestation, Land Use, and Property Rights: Empirical Evidence from Darién, Panama," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 77(2), pages 187-205.
    5. Maureen Cropper & Jyotsna Puri & Charles Griffiths, 2001. "Predicting the Location of Deforestation: The Role of Roads and Protected Areas in North Thailand," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 77(2), pages 172-186.
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    Cited by:

    1. Luiza Andrade & André Luis Squarize Chagas, 2016. "Spillover effects of blacklisting policy in the Brazilian Amazon," Working Papers, Department of Economics 2016_32, University of São Paulo (FEA-USP).
    2. Moser, Christine M., 2014. "Voter Response to Conservation Policies in Madagascar," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 93-103.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Q23 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Forestry

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