RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Over-perception about land use changes: Assessing empirical evidence and linkage with decisions and motivated beliefs JF Land Economics JO Land Econ FD University of Wisconsin Press SP 040920-0052R DO 10.3368/le.98.2.040920-0052R A1 Hongli Feng A1 Tong Wang A1 David A. Hennessy A1 Gaurav Arora YR 2021 UL http://le.uwpress.org/content/early/2021/11/04/le.98.2.040920-0052R.abstract AB Perception biases documented in the literature often pertain to subject matters that are difficult to observe or measure such as one’s ability. We study perception biases with respect to a concrete indicator that can be objectively measured: land use changes in a local area. We examine four hypotheses about land use change perceptions and test them with farm survey data complemented by satellite data. We discover systematic biases in farmers’ perceptions about local land use changes that are consistent with motivated beliefs, and also evidence that links perceptions with intended future land conversions. Alternative explanations and policy implications are discussed.