Do roads cause deforestation? Using satellite images in econometric analysis of land use

Nelson, Gerald and Hellerstein, Daniel (1997): Do roads cause deforestation? Using satellite images in econometric analysis of land use. Published in: American Journal of Agricultural Economics , Vol. 1, No. 79 (February 1997): pp. 80-88.

Abstract

In this paper we demonstrate how satellite images and other geographic data can be used to predict land use. A cross-section model of land use is estimated with data for a region in central Mexico. Parameters from the model are used to examine the effects of reduced human activity. If variables that proxy human influence are changed to reflect reduced impact, "forest" area increases and "irrigated crop" area is reduced.

• Item Type: MPRA Paper
• Language: English
• Keywords: geographic data, land use, remotely sensed data, spatial econometrics.
• Subjects: R - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics > R1 - General Regional Economics > R12 - Size and Spatial Distributions of Regional Economic Activity; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q0 - General > Q01 - Sustainable Development; C - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods > C3 - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models ; Multiple Variables > C35 - Discrete Regression and Qualitative Choice Models ; Discrete Regressors ; Proportions; Q - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics ; Environmental and Ecological Economics > Q5 - Environmental Economics > Q57 - Ecological Economics: Ecosystem Services ; Biodiversity Conservation ; Bioeconomics ; Industrial Ecology

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