Tradable Set-Aside Requirements (TSARs): Conserving Spatially Dependent Environmental Amenities

Abstract

In the lab, we examine the effectiveness of two land use conservation policies: a tradable set aside requirements (TSARs), and the TSARs combined with an agglomeration bonus. Evaluated by bioeconomic efficiency, our experimental results suggest: 1) TSARs is a cost-effective land conservation tool; and 2) combining TSARS with the agglomeration bonus increases habitat connectivity but at a price—lower economic efficiency.Conservation, tradable development rights, spatial conservation, market instruments