| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91433 | Forest Policy and Economics | 2011 | 8 Pages |
Southern pine beetle (SPB) prevention cost-share programs provide a financial incentive to private forest landowners in exchange for undertaking forest management practices that improve stand health. Healthy pine trees in low density stands offer the best defense against the SPB, helping to ensure that timber resources and other benefits of forests are protected against infestations. This study evaluates the preferences of forestland owners for selected forest management treatment practices (e.g., thinning) offered under this program. An attribute-based choice experiment approach was used to achieve the task. Results indicate that replanting is the option most favored by forestland owners, while prescribed burning is observed to produce disutility. Thinning was statistically insignificant, as were spatial interaction terms and a variable representing the relative rate of landowner participation in the choice scenario.
Research Highlights► Preferences for forest management were studied using a choice experiment. ► Owners of forestland in 6 southern states were surveyed. ► Treatments assessed are found in Southern Pine Beetle mitigation cost-share programs. ► Replanting with more resistant pine species was the most favored treatment. ► The programs’ reach can be improved by better targeting of prospective enrollees.
