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Introductions of Invasive Species: Failure of the Weaker Link

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 September 2016

Kimberly M. Burnett
Kimberly M. Burnett*
Affiliation:
Department of Economics at the University of Hawaii at Manoa
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Abstract

The prevention of invasive species is modeled as a “weaker link” public good. Under the weaker link aggregation technology, individual contributions beyond the lowest level will provide benefits, but these benefits progressively decline as contributions exceed the minimum. A two-region model is constructed, assuming incomplete information concerning costs of provision. This framework allows us to explain why we observe underinvestment in prevention, how information facilitates efficiency, and under what conditions information is most relevant. Specific implications regarding improved invasive species prevention policy are extracted and discussed.

Keywords

weaker linkinvasive speciespublic good aggregation
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Agricultural and Resource Economics Review , Volume 35 , Issue 1 , April 2006 , pp. 21 - 28
Copyright
Copyright © 2006 Northeastern Agricultural and Resource Economics Association 

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