Determinants of Forest Degradation under Private and Common Property Regimes: The Case of Ethiopia

Abstract

This study considers the endogenous determination of land ownership systems to rigorously compare differences in the changes in forest quality between private and common property regimes. By employing the propensity score matching method, we found that there was significantly less forest degradation in private property areas than in common property areas. We also found that good accessibility, a flat surface, and good light conditions significantly induced forest deterioration in private property areas. In contrast, we found completely opposite results for common property areas. (JEL Q23, Q24)