Economic linkages to changing landscapes

Environ Manage. 2014 Jan;53(1):55-66. doi: 10.1007/s00267-013-0116-7. Epub 2013 Jul 4.

Abstract

Many economic processes are intertwined with landscape change. A large number of individual economic decisions shape the landscape, and in turn the changes in the landscape shape economic decisions. This article describes key research questions about the economics of landscape change and reviews the state of research knowledge. The rich and varied economic-landscape interactions are an active area of research by economists, geographers, and others. Because the interactions are numerous and complex, disentangling the causal relationships in any given landscape system is a formidable research challenge. Limited data with mismatched temporal and spatial scales present further obstacles. Nevertheless, the growing body of economic research on these topics is advancing and shares fundamental challenges, as well as data and methods, with work in other disciplines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Agriculture / economics
  • Climate
  • Conservation of Natural Resources
  • Decision Making*
  • Economics*
  • Ecosystem*
  • Environment
  • Feedback
  • Human Activities
  • Time Factors
  • United States
  • Water Supply