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Habitat loss and the risk of disease outbreak

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  • Barbier, Edward B.

Abstract

Evidence suggests that emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19, originate from wildlife species, and that land-use change is an important pathway for pathogen transmission to humans. We first focus on zoonotic disease spillover and the rate at which primary human cases appear, demonstrating that a potential outbreak is directly related to the area of wildlife habitat. We then develop a model of the costs and benefits of land conversion that includes the effect of habitat size on the risk of disease outbreak. Our model and numerical simulations show that incorporating this risk requires more wildlife habitat conservation in the long run, and how much more should be conserved will depend on the initial habitat size. If the area is too small, then no conversion should take place. Any policy to control habitat loss, such as a tax imposed on the rents from converted land, should also vary with habitat area.

Suggested Citation

  • Barbier, Edward B., 2021. "Habitat loss and the risk of disease outbreak," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:jeeman:v:108:y:2021:i:c:s0095069621000346
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeem.2021.102451
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    2. William Brock & Anastasios Xepapadeas, 2024. "Land-use, climate change and the emergence of infectious diseases: A synthesis," DEOS Working Papers 2409, Athens University of Economics and Business.
    3. Roa, Diana & Navrud, Ståle & Rosendahl, Knut Einar, 2023. "Accounting for unintended ecological effects of our electric future: Optimizing lithium mining and biodiversity preservation in the Chilean High-Andean wetlands," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    4. Edward B. Barbier, 2022. "The Policy Implications of the Dasgupta Review: Land Use Change and Biodiversity," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 83(4), pages 911-935, December.
    5. William Brock & Anastasios Xepapadeas, 2023. "Natural world preservation and infectious diseases: Land-use, climate change and innovation," DEOS Working Papers 2319, Athens University of Economics and Business.
    6. Vargas-Hernández José G. & Rakowska Joanna & Vargas-González Omar C., 2022. "Green Economic Development as the Framework for Green Finance and Green Investment," Economic and Regional Studies / Studia Ekonomiczne i Regionalne, Sciendo, vol. 15(3), pages 304-322, September.

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