Spatial convergence of the gross value of production of firewood in the mesoregions of the Brazilian Northeast

Abstract

This paper analyzed the process of convergence in the gross value of wood production in mesoregions of Northeast Brazil, in the period of 1994 and 2013. The object of study was the Gross Value of Production (GVP) of firewood per km2 of the mesoregions of the Northeast of Brazil. In the methodology the Absolute Convergence Model was applied and estimated through the classical model and spatial models. In the spatial approach we used the Spatial Autoregressive Model (SAR) and the Spatial Error Model (SEM). From the results obtained, the following conclusions were reached: The mesoregions of the Northeast of Brazil had an average fall of 3.94% a.a. of the GVP/km2 of native wood for the period 1994 to 2013. Considering the classical linear regression model, convergence was verified and also the presence of spatial dependence for GVP/km2 of firewood. In order to correct the spatial dependence, the SAR and SEM Models were adequate and according to Akaike’s Information Criterion and used the rook matrix the SEM was configured the best model. This study showed the importance of the involvement of the spatial question in the models, either by the overlap of information of the GVP and in the development of public policies that positively affect the neighborhood.