|
Major Uses of Land in
the United States, 2002—This publication presents
the results of the latest (2002) inventory of U.S.
major land uses, drawing on data from the census, public
land management and conservation agencies, and other
sources. The data are synthesized by State to calculate
the use of several broad classes and subclasses of
agricultural and nonagricultural land over time.
Manure Management for
Water Quality: Costs to Animal Feeding Operations of
Applying Manure Nutrients to Land—Nutrients
from livestock and poultry manure are key sources of
water pollution. Ever-growing numbers of animals per
farm and per acre have increased the risk of water
pollution. New Clean Water Act regulations compel the
largest confined animal producers to meet nutrient
application standards when applying manure to the land.
This report examines the costs to producers and consumers
of meeting nutrient management requirements.
Economics of Sequestering
Carbon in the U.S. Agricultural Sector—Atmospheric
concentrations of greenhouse gases can be reduced by
withdrawing carbon from the atmosphere and sequestering
it in soils and biomass. This report analyzes the performance
of alternative incentive designs and payment levels
if farmers were paid to adopt land uses and management
practices that raise soil carbon levels.
Environmental Effects of Agricultural Land-Use Change: The Role of Economics and Policy—This
report examines evidence on the relationship between
agricultural land-use changes, soil productivity, and
indicators of environmental sensitivity. ERS examines
environmental outcomes of land-use conversion prompted
by two agricultural programs that others have identified
as potentially having important influences on land use
and environmental quality: Federal crop insurance subsidies
and the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Nation's
largest cropland retirement program. See the related Amber Waves feature article.
Economics of Water Quality Protection from Nonpoint Sources: Theory and Practice—Water quality is a major environmental issue. Pollution from nonpoint sources is the single largest remaining source of water quality impairments in the United States. Agricultural nonpoint pollution reduction policies can be designed to induce producers to change their production practices in ways that improve the environmental and related economic consequences of production. This report outlines the economic characteristics of five instruments that can be used to reduce agricultural nonpoint source pollution and discusses empirical research related to the use of these instruments.
Wetlands and Agriculture:
Private Interests and Public Benefits—Society
has recently increased the value it places on the services
that wetlands provide, including water quality improvements,
flood control, wildlife habitat, and recreation. However,
owners of wetlands are often unable to profit from
these services because the benefits created are freely
enjoyed by many. This report examines differences between
public and private incentives regarding wetlands.
See the complete
catalog of related readings.
|
