In most developing countries deforestation has reached alarming rates. In view of their relevance for the local economy (e.g., as a source of foreign exchange earnings and supply of fuelwood), an adequate management of forest resources should be pursued. In these economies forest exploitation...

Long-term growth convergence has extensively been investigated based on economic variables. Indicators of social development and health status are generally focused on their contribution to growth or on assessing national health care systems. Yet, as a general yardstick of well-being, life...

Mineral commodity prices and, to a lesser extent, supply have typically experienced substantial fluctuations as well as sudden, largely unanticipated, breaks. Instability has severe consequences in term of returns on mining investment and the balance of payments of the countries concerned....

Many empirically observed time series, even when behaving as stationary processes (eventually after differencing), exhibit characteristics of extremely high persistence. Unit root tests and autocorrelation functions do not always provide unequivocal indications regarding long-run dynamic...