Applications of Optimal Stopping in Resource Economics*

Abstract

Some applications of optimal stopping rules in the analysis of resource economic problems are surveyed. The conceptual foundation for the approach stems from the dual roles of uncertainty and irreversibility in these problems. A stochastic adaptation of Wicksell's ‘tree‐cutting’ paradigm is exposited and shown to provide a rigorous methodology that is as intuitive as more familiar contingent‐asset approaches. Four resource economic applications are considered: environmental problems, urban development, bioeconomic harvesting and resource project timing and valuation.

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