On the economics of ecological nuisance

Abstract

This paper analyses the economics of pest and nuisance relating to wild animals. It studies stylised models where wild animals represent a direct nuisance to agricultural production through grazing and crop damage. Such damage is particularly relevant in poor rural communities, where people are dependent on livestock and crop production and at the same time are living close to nature and wildlife. The analysis encompasses both situations involving nuisance costs only and cases where the wildlife may also have a harvesting value. In both instances, the emphasis is on large mammals and criteria for optimal species eradication are analysed in particular.