Deforestation driven by rural exodus and agricultural trade

Deforestation in the tropics is being driven by people moving from villages to cities and the global demand for agricultural products, according to a recent study. The researchers suggest that forest conservation policies which target small landowners should be extended to also target industrial-scale, mechanised farming if such initiatives are to be effective.

Quelle: European Commission

Deforestation in the tropics is being driven by people moving from villages to cities and the global demand for agricultural products, according to a recent study. The researchers suggest that forest conservation policies which target small landowners should be extended to also target industrial-scale, mechanised farming if such initiatives are to be effective.

Under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, reduced emissions from avoided deforestation and degradation (REDD) is considered to be a cost-effective option for storing carbon in forests and a means of mitigating climate change. It is argued that these initiatives will only be effective in reducing deforestation if the drivers of forest loss are understood.

In many African, Latin American and Asian tropical countries urban populations are growing far more rapidly than rural populations. In addition, many of these countries are increasing their agricultural exports. Currently, there are debates about the impact of population and economic influences on the clearing of tropical forests. Some think the present trend of villagers moving to urban centres will relieve pressure on forests and reduce demand for agricultural land in rural areas; others suggest large-scale, mechanised farming will replace small-scale farming and cause further deforestation.

The researchers used satellite images for the years 2000-2005 to calculate the area of forest loss for 41 countries in the humid tropics. They then assessed which demographic, agricultural and economic factors could be linked to the loss of forest areas.

Of these factors, urbanisation in tropical countries and, particularly in Asia, agricultural exports to other countries appeared to be linked with forest loss. The researchers suggest the higher rate of forest loss between 2000 and 2005, (compared with a 1980 base), was driven by demand for agricultural products in urban markets, both domestically and internationally, rather than by the behaviour of rural populations.

Villagers in the tropics who move to the cities tend to have higher incomes and consume more processed foods and animal products than rural dwellers. This in turn encourages commercial, large-scale agricultural production in rural areas and expansion into forests. Traditional clearing of forests for small-scale subsistence farming and local market production is thus no longer the prime reason for deforestation in many regions.

In addition, the study revealed differences between countries with high and low rates of forest loss. The highest forest loss occurred in countries with relatively high agricultural trade and high urban growth. These countries also have the least amount (2 per cent) of forest remaining in the humid tropics. Countries with relatively low agricultural trade and urban growth have about 60 per cent of the forest remaining in the humid tropics. However, these areas are likely to experience increasing pressure as agricultural demand grows in the future.

The researchers suggest policies should be flexible enough to adjust to the shifting causes of deforestation. Governments should focus on incentives to maximise yields on already-cleared land instead of clearing more land in order to meet both agricultural demand and preserve forests.

The satellite images provided general patterns of forest clearing but were unable to provide details for specific circumstances. For example, in some instances harvesting plantations rather than clearing of primary forests may be the cause of forest loss. The researchers suggest forest losses in each country should be analysed in order to develop appropriate policies to reduce forest loss under different circumstances.

Further information:

http://www.un-redd.org/AboutREDD/tabid/582/language/en-US/Default.aspx