Devolution of tenure rights in forestland in China: Impact on investment and forest growth

Yuanyuan Yi

Forest Policy and Economics, 2023, vol. 154, issue C

Abstract: I investigate whether devolution of forestland tenure rights to households in China triggered forest investment and the impact on forest conditions. I use a panel dataset of a two-round survey of over 10,000 forestland plots held by 1500 households in eight provinces before and after the devolution. Using a quasi-experimental regression approach, I find that forestland devolved to households has higher per-area-unit, yearly labor input and capital investment. I also find larger forest cover in regions devolving more. The findings support that clearly-defined and well-protected household property rights offer an effective alternative to common-pool resources management in small-scale forestry.

Keywords: Devolution; Household management; Forest investment; Deforestation; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q23 Q24 Q58 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:forpol:v:154:y:2023:i:c:s138993412300120x

DOI: 10.1016/j.forpol.2023.103025

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