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Protecting the Breadbasket with Trees? The Effect of the Great Plains Shelterbelt Project on Agriculture

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  • Tianshu Li

Abstract

Wind erosion is detrimental to agriculture. Planting shelterbelt trees is a common strategy to protect vulnerable areas. I estimate the impact of shelterbelts on agriculture while instrumenting the endogeneity of planted location with a designated zone under the Great Plains Shelterbelt Project—a massive tree-planting operation implemented in 1935–1942. I find a shift from cropland to pasture associated with higher shelterbelt coverage due to differential productivity changes in livestock and crop production. The revenue increase from livestock was contributed by cattle, while the decline in crop production mainly occurred in western counties owing to obstacles to adopting new irrigation technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Tianshu Li, 2021. "Protecting the Breadbasket with Trees? The Effect of the Great Plains Shelterbelt Project on Agriculture," Land Economics, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 97(2), pages 321-344.
    • Handle: RePEc:uwp:landec:v:97:y:2021:i:2:p:321-344
    Note: DOI: 10.3368/le.97.2.321
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • Q15 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Land Ownership and Tenure; Land Reform; Land Use; Irrigation; Agriculture and Environment

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