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Article
Beetles, trees, and people: Regional economic impact sensitivity and policy considerations related to the mountain pine beetle infestation in British Columbia, Canada
Forest Policy and Economics (2006)
  • Mike N. Patriquin, Canadian Forest Service
  • Adam Wellstead, Canadian Forest Service
  • William A. White, Canadian Forest Service
Abstract
This article investigates the regional economic impact sensitivity to the current mountain pine beetle infestation in five study areas of British Columbia, Canada, using a computable general equilibrium framework. Baseline general equilibrium economic databases are constructed for each region using a hybrid data collection approach involving primary and secondary sources. A computable general equilibrium model is constructed for each region and used to simulate the sensitivity of a suite of economic indicators to changes in forestry sector exports resulting from the impacts of mountain pine beetle on the available timber supply. The computable general equilibrium models constructed for each region provides an indication of economic vulnerability to the infestation and can assist decision-makers with the identification of policy considerations and priority areas for mitigation planning in response to the anticipated fluctuations in timber supply.
Keywords
  • computable general equilibrium,
  • Mountain pine beetle,
  • Natural disturbance,
  • Economic impact analysis,
  • Transition,
  • Community stability
Publication Date
October 11, 2006
DOI
10.1016/j.forpol.2006.08.002
Publisher Statement
Published by Elsevier B.V. Publisher's version of record: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2006.08.002
Citation Information
Mike N. Patriquin, Adam Wellstead and William A. White. "Beetles, trees, and people: Regional economic impact sensitivity and policy considerations related to the mountain pine beetle infestation in British Columbia, Canada" Forest Policy and Economics Vol. 9 Iss. 8 (2006) p. 938 - 946 ISSN: 1389-9341
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/adam-wellstead/37/