Biophysical and socioeconomic factors explaining the extent of forest cover on private ownerships in a Midwestern (USA) agrarian landscape |
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Authors: | E?A?Frimpong Email author" target="_blank">A?L?Ross-DavisEmail author J?G?Lee S?R?Broussard |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 715 West State Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2061, USA;(2) Department of Agricultural Economics, Purdue University, 403 West State Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2056, USA;(3) Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, 195 Marsteller Street, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907-2033, USA |
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Abstract: | As landscape fragmentation continues to escalate, it is imperative that we improve our understanding of the factors that contribute
to the creation and retention of forest on privately-owned land to most effectively design and implement conservation policy.
This article presents the percentages of variation in the proportion of forest on private ownerships across an agriculturally-dominated
landscape in north-central Indiana, USA that can be explained by biophysical characteristics, landowner (socioeconomic) attributes,
and private landowner assistance programs. While biophysical characteristics of the land accounted for the majority of variation
explained (17.35%, p < 0.0001, n = 194), attitudinal and demographic attributes of the landowners contributed significantly to explaining additional variation
(7.97%, p<0.0001), and overlapped with biophysical characteristics to explain another 17.31%. Program familiarity and enrollment did
not explain a significant amount of the variation independent of either biophysical or landowner attributes. Private landowner
assistance programs should broaden their objectives and increase incentives to appeal to the variety of landowners who possess
the decision-making authority for most of the land in the region and the nation as a whole. |
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Keywords: | Biophysical attributes Conservation programs Indiana Landowner attributes Midwest Nonindustrial private forest Private lands policy USA Variation partitioning |
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