Jonathan D. Kaplan, Ph.D.

Jonathan Kaplan is an economist with expertise in water resource management, agricultural production modeling, and economic experiments. His work has looked at such topics as the consequences of water salinity management in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, to the cost of salinity on animal feeding operations in California, to the value of wetlands in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

The majority of his work has focused on developing mathematical programming models to better understand the economic consequences of agri-environmental policy. Dr. Kaplan has built numerous models depicting such problems as nonpoint source pollution, nutrient and salinity loading from animal feeding operations at local, regional, and national scales. His most recent programming model captures California wine grape production, and is currently being used to explore the ramifications of Pierce's Disease management.

His work in experimental economics has examined the efficiency of water options markets, the role of information in mitigating congestion externalities, and the design of solicitation mechanisms to reduce free-riding in public good provision. He has consulted with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the California Water Resources Control Board, and Environmental Defense, among others.