Econometrica Vol. 66 No. 6 1998
The Noah's Ark Problem
Abstract
This paper is about the economic theory of biodiversity preservation. A cost-effectiveness methodology is constructed, which results in a ranking criterion sufficiently operational to be useful in suggesting what to look at when determining actual conservation priorities. The formula is firmly rooted in a mathematically rigorous optimization framework, so that its theoretical underpinnings are clear. The underlying model, called the 'Noah's Ark Problem, ' is intended to be a kind of canonical form that hones down to its analytical essence the problem of best preserving diversity under a limited budget constraint.
- DOI
- 10.2307/2999617
- Volume
- 66
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1279
- Sources
- bibtex:phds-export.bib crossref openalex