We model biological invasions as an unintended by-product of capital accumulation. We distinguish three spillover effects: (1) a negative production externality, (2) a negative or positive consumption externality and (3) an increase in the risk of future welfare loss. We also consider the...

An empirical investigation is undertaken into the impact of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) on Forest and biodiversity loss in Ghana between the period 1965-1995. In the first part of the analysis, a four-equation recursive model, consisting of forest loss, cocoa land, maize land and...

This article explores the effects of tenure insecurity on the migrant's decision to convert tropical frontier forestland to unsustainable agriculture. We develop and extend a Faustmann model to explore the effects of insecure property rights and unsustainability on the migrant's decision to...

This paper examines a number of key issues concerning agricultural land expansion, resource booms and economic growth in Latin America. The structural characteristics of agricultural development, represented by cropland share of total land area, agricultural export share of total exports and...

Several hydrological studies forecast a global problem of water scarcity. This raises the question as to whether increasing water scarcity may impose constraints on the growth of countries. The influence of water utilisation on economic growth is depicted through a growth model that includes...

This paper models the economic and hydrological impacts of upstream water diversion on downstream floodplain activities. The model is illustrated and applied to the example of the Hadejia-Jama'are River Basin, northern Nigeria. Full implementation of all the upstream dams and large-scale...

Tropical moist forests provide a range of goods and services to society. Traditionally, decisions regarding tropical forest land use have been made on the basis of major direct uses of forest land that generate local and national benefits. Typically, this has meant timber extraction and the...

The following paper analyzes the economic and demographic factors determining the conversion of mangroves in the coastal provinces of Thailand to commercial shrimp farming. Mangrove conversion is therefore determined by the returns to shrimp farmers (i.e. the price of shrimp), the input costs to...

Mangroves line one quarter of the world's tropical coastlines, and approximately 117 countries and territories have mangrove resources within their borders. Although over recent years mangrove deforestation has occurred at a phenomenal rate worldwide, there have been few economic studies of the...

Economists now recognize that, along with physical and human capital, environmental resources should be viewed as important economic assets, which can be called. Three recent debates have emerged over the role of natural capital in economic development. First, as many ecological services are...