@inproceedings{polyakov_pannell_2016, title={Accounting for private benefits in ecological restoration planning}, DOI={10.22459/lfaesa.05.2016.14}, abstractNote={Opportunity cost constitutes a substantial component of the costs of ecological restoration projects undertaken in agricultural landscapes. Private benefits generated by restored environmental assets are also important in determining the success of restoration projects. In this study, we compare the implications of using different assumptions about private benefits and opportunity cost for the optimal spatial pattern of ecological restoration of a cleared agricultural landscape in north-central Victoria, Australia. We employ a spatially explicit bio-economic model that optimizes ecological restoration through revegetation of a cleared landscape. We compare implications of using different assumptions about opportunity cost: (a) fixed marginal opportunity costs based on property value, and (b) variable marginal opportunity costs that take into account land value and private benefits generated by environmental assets on the property. Using variable marginal opportunity costs that account for private benefits captured by the landowners gives a better biodiversity outcome than using fixed marginal opportunity cost subject to the same budget constraints. Spatial patterns of ecological restoration of these scenarios differ substantially, with ecological restoration pattern shifting towards smaller properties (lifestyle landowners) in the variable-marginal-value scenario. Our results show that in order to avoid providing misleading recommendations to environmental managers about priorities for ecological restoration on private lands, it is important to take into account amenity values to land owners of native vegetation and variable opportunity costs.}, booktitle={Learning from Agri-Environment Schemes in Australia: Investing in Biodiversity and Other Ecosystem Services on Farms}, author={Polyakov, M. and Pannell, D.}, year={2016}, pages={181–190} }
 @inproceedings{iftekhar_polyakov_gibson_2016, title={Restoring ecosystem services on private farmlands: Lessons from economics}, DOI={10.22459/lfaesa.05.2016.10}, abstractNote={Key lessons• Biological conservation attempts to preserve and maintain existing habitat, while ecological restoration attempts to reverse an environmental degradation process.• The higher cost per unit area (or per ecological outcome) to implement restoration projects, compared with conservation projects, could negatively influence their formation and acceptance.• Broad support for restoration projects can be difficult to achieve, due to people's loss aversion behaviour.• Uncertainty in expected biodiversity benefits can influence the acceptance and success of restoration projects.• Social value could influence the objectives of restoration projects; the more aligned the social and environmental objectives are, the higher the chances of acceptance.• Some of the biophysical and social benefits of restoration projects could be privately captured, which could increase acceptance of restoration projects.}, booktitle={Learning from Agri-Environment Schemes in Australia: Investing in Biodiversity and Other Ecosystem Services on Farms}, author={Iftekhar, M. S. and Polyakov, M. and Gibson, F.}, year={2016}, pages={127–137} }
 @article{polyakov_zhang_2008, title={Property tax policy and land-use change}, volume={84}, ISSN={["1543-8325"]}, DOI={10.3368/le.84.3.396}, abstractNote={In this study, we analyze the effect of property taxes on changes between agricultural, forestry, Conservation Reserve Program, and developed land uses in Louisiana. We estimate a random parameters logit model of land-use conversion from the National Resources Inventory plot data. Our results indicate that land-use changes are inelastic with respect to property taxes. Simulation shows that current use valuation policy, while slowing down development of rural lands, also affects changes between rural land uses. (JEL Q15, H23)}, number={3}, journal={LAND ECONOMICS}, author={Polyakov, Maksym and Zhang, Daowei}, year={2008}, month={Aug}, pages={396–408} }