DEMOGRAPHIC, ECONOMIC, AND POLITICAL DETERMINANTS OF LAND DEVELOPMENT IN THE U.S.
Two reduced-form, econometric models of developed land area were estimated with the data from the USDA's National Resource Inventory and numerous other sources for 49 states during 1982-1997. In these linear and semi-quadratic fixed-effects models, developed land area is smaller where the average real gas price or conservation- reserve-program payment per enrolled acre during the previous five years is higher. This area also decreases as the average share of lower-house Democrats or real per-capita agricultural and mining production during the previous five years grows.