Evaluating the Impact of Government Land Use Policies on Tree Canopy Coverage

Jeffrey Dorfman (), Elizabeth Hill and Elizabeth Kramer

No 9863, 2007 Annual Meeting, July 29-August 1, 2007, Portland, Oregon from American Agricultural Economics Association (New Name 2008: Agricultural and Applied Economics Association)

Abstract: Many communities are experiencing the negative effects associated with not sustaining a sufficient level of tree canopy coverage. Tree canopy plays a crucial role in the environment, providing benefits such as clean water and air, erosion prevention, climate control, and sustained ecological resources and native species habitat. Additionally, tree canopy plays an economic role by increasing housing values, alleviating expenditures related to erosion destruction, decreasing spending on sewer standards, increasing energy efficiency, and reducing medical costs related to health issues, such as asthma, that are associated with environmental degradation. To study how local government policies may be related to changes in tree canopy, an empirical study was performed using Greater Metropolitan Atlanta as the study area. The statistical analysis identifies local government policies that are effective, such as specific tree ordinance clauses and zoning regulations. Policies that are ineffective (e.g., a tree board) are also identified.

Keywords: Land; Economics/Use (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 28
Date: 2007
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:aaea07:9863

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.9863

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