Ethanol Production and Changes in Land Use in the United States

Abstract

Corn ethanol is becoming an increasingly important source of fuel in the United States. There are concerns that increased corn ethanol production will lead to higher food prices. Furthermore, increased usage of agricultural land for ethanol production and displaced agricultural land can lead to increased conversion of marginal land into cultivated land. This study shows that increased ethanol production, along with other variables, influences land use in the United States.