Forest management and competing land uses : an economic analysis for Costa Rica

摘要: This note aims at explaining why sustainable natural forest management, is rarely observed in the Latin America and Caribbean region, even though this sustainability a declared governments' goal. Private landowners mine forests, either for cattle ranching, or conversion to plantations - only few exceptions of no commercial relevance, are accounted for. Using site specific data from Costa Rica as an example, it argues that management cannot compete financially with alternative types land management. It indicates existing structural policies not conducive promote but likelihood economically viable solution, may lie direct incentives, best policy instrument, be offered small farmers, rather than corporate owners, better effectiveness. The paper develops analytical model investigation factors affecting use deforestation, applicable other countries, and, because environmental benefits, certain extent, accrue world whole. Special attention given importance discount rates regarding deforestation decisions, since results show incentives deforest increase, decreases.