Chapter 59 Land Use: Forest, Agriculture, and Biodiversity Competition

摘要: Abstract Since at least the time of von Thunen's contributions to subject, economists have been interested in explaining land use hinterlands. This interest has grown with increasing societal demands on remaining forested areas and concern for nonmarket resources generated by such habitats. However, situation is not nearly as dire one might expect based more alarming pronouncements. Despite both economic population growth, forest much developed world increasing, declining. Improvements growing processing technology, combination increased resources, enabled increases productivity that largely offset growth demand. While record quite good developing countries, a slowing rate increase are also reducing pressures forests poorer nations. these trends promising, remains decline natural habitats, particularly moist tropical forests, where biological diversity most concentrated. Biologists conservation advocates advanced number arguments “biodiversity” imperiled felled values services systems justify their preservation. often plausible, remain unproved. It seems unlikely prospects commercializing products ecosystems will prove sufficient motivate large scale. Other instruments must, then, be employed if under intense pressure conversion preserved.