Deforestation and economic development: Evidence from national borders. (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crespo Cuaresma, Jesús; Heger, Martin
• Is Part Of: Land use policy. Volume 84(2019)
• Page Start: e347
• Page End: e353
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: O13 -- O44 -- R11; Deforestation -- Poverty -- Economic development; Land use -- Periodicals; Land use -- Government policy -- Periodicals; Sol, Utilisation du -- Périodiques; Sol, Utilisation du -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 333.7305
• DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.12.039
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-8377

Abstract

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.