Essays on the Economics of Conservation Policy: Impacts of Protected Areas, Wildfire Dynamics, and Species Delisting

This dissertation examines the multifaceted interactions between environmental conservation policies and economic dynamics through three distinct but interrelated studies spanning the contiguous United States from 1998 to 2018.

The first chapter focuses on the economic impacts of Protected Area Designations (PADs) on land-intensive sectors (LIS), such as agriculture, forestry, and construction. Using a Poisson Pseudo-Maximum Likelihood model with High-Dimensional Fixed Effects (PPMLHDFE), this study uncovers non-linear relationships between PAD coverage and business dynamics, including establishment births, exits, and relocations at both intra- and inter-state levels. Results emphasize the critical role of conservation stringency in shaping regional economies.

The second chapter evaluates the economic consequences of wildfires in California, analyzing the frequency and intensity of wildfires and their differential effects on LIS and non-land-intensive sectors (non-LIS). Findings reveal that wildfire frequency destabilizes LIS through increased establishment deaths and outward relocations, while wildfire intensity generates opportunities for recovery-oriented sectors like construction. This study provides actionable insights into disaster resilience and sectoral adaptation.

The third chapter examines the post-recovery economic impacts of delisting the Louisiana Black Bear under the Endangered Species Act. Using proprietary establishment-level data, it highlights the temporal and spatial dimensions of delisting effects on LIS and non-LIS, revealing trade-offs between economic growth and conservation recovery. Findings underscore the importance of monitoring post-delisting dynamics to align economic and environmental goals.

Together, these studies contribute to the fields of conservation economics, disaster economics, and land-use policy by offering a nuanced understanding of how conservation interventions influence economic landscapes. Policymakers can leverage these insights to design adaptive, spatially targeted strategies that balance ecological preservation with economic development.