Assessing Technical Inefficiency in Ecosystem Service Provision from an Input Perspective in the Cross Timbers region, United States

We modeled the efficiency of ecosystem service provision—specifically timber production, carbon sequestration, and water yield—in the Cross Timbers region of the United States using stochastic frontier analysis from an input perspective. Inputs considered included natural capital and control variables such as temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, and natural disturbances, among others, that impact ecosystem service production. Inefficiency was modeled as a function of factors such as ownership, forest productivity, and natural disturbances. We utilized forest plot-level data obtained from the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program between 2008 and 2019. Our results indicated that ecosystem service production increased with higher levels of natural capital, higher temperatures, mesic soils, the presence of oaks, and damage caused by abiotic factors. We found evidence of technical inefficiency in the simultaneous provision of ecosystem services. From an input perspective, our findings revealed that, on average, 15.9% more input is used due to technical inefficiency in the Cross Timbers region. Specifically, private ownership and damage caused by abiotic factors resulted in excess input use of 16.4% and 14.3%, respectively, due to technical inefficiency. Managing the encroachment of invasive species like eastern redcedar can enhance ecosystem service production in the region, despite the high implementation costs. Collaboration among multidisciplinary extension professionals can help create comprehensive land management plans for the Cross Timbers, while landowners can also utilize cost-share programs to lower management expenses.