RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Rainfall Shocks, Resilience, and the Effects of Crop Biodiversity on Agroecosystem Productivity
JF Land Economics
JO Land Econ
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 83
OP 96
DO 10.3368/le.84.1.83
VO 84
IS 1
A1 Salvatore Di Falco
A1 Jean-Paul Chavas
YR 2008
UL http://le.uwpress.org/content/84/1/83.abstract
AB This paper investigates the dynamic effects of rainfall shocks on agroecosystems productivity. The analysis estimates a panel data model of cereal production in southern Italy. It documents the adverse effects of a reduction in rainfall on the agroecosystem productivity both in the short run and the long run. It investigates how increasing the level of spatial crop diversity can mitigate this negative impact. The empirical evidence shows how higher diversity supports resilience and maintains the system productivity under challenging climatic conditions. (JEL Q24, Q54, Q57)