A spatial panel data analysis of tree planting in the US South.

摘要

This study used panel data models with spatial error correlation to analyse private tree planting in southern USA from 1955 to 2003. Controlling for statewide, fixed effects allowed us to disentangle the effect of spatial interaction from that of state heterogeneity and omitted variables. The results show that there is significant spatial interdependence among the southern states in private tree planting. Harvest rates, softwood sawtimber price, income levels, cost of capital, and federal and state cost-share programmes are important factors affecting non-industrial private (non-industrial private forestland (NIPF)) tree planting. Harvest rates, softwood sawtimber and pulpwood prices, and planting cost are important factors affecting forest industry (FI) tree planting. Finally, the Soil Bank Programme has had substitution effects on southern FI tree planting and non-subsidized NIPF tree planting.