Economics of Deforestation: The Example of Ecuador

by Sven Wunder

Overview

Tropical forests are disappearing at an unaltered pace, giving way to alternative land uses. This book gives an economic perspective on deforestation. Following a survey of different deforestation definitions, theories and empirical evidence, a case-study of Ecuador provides a versatile historical picture of factors affecting forest loss throughout different periods, regions and ecosystems. It is shown that policy and market failures alone cannot explain rapid deforestation; decision-makers follow a composite economic rationale in their continuous clearing of forests which can only be counteracted by concerted action.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780333731468
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	07/19/2000
Series:	St Antony's Series
Edition description:	2000
Pages:	262
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

SVEN WUNDER studied at the Universities of Copenhagen and Oxford. He works at the Centre for Development Research, Copenhagen, as a Senior Project Researcher and is author or co-author of several books on the subject of deforestation.

Table of Contents

List of Tables List of Figures Preface List of Acronyms Introduction PART I: DEFORESTATION: FACTS AND THEORIES Some Basic Concepts The Wealth of Theories Latin American Patterns of Deforestation PART II: ECUADOREAN DEFORESTATION A Closer Look Oil, Macroeconomy and Forests PART III: HIGHLAND LAND-USE PATTERNS Deforestation - The Poor Man's Lot? Feeling the Forest for the Trees? Institutions and Policies Conclusion and Reflections Literature Index

Editorial Reviews

Policy and market failure alone cannot explain rapid deforestation, concludes Wunder (Centre for Development Research, Copenhagen), and finds that with current technologies, market prices, and disparate stakeholder interests, natural forest uses in Ecuador tend to yield less income than alternative land uses, mainly agro-pastoral. The only effect curb on deforestation, he says, would be payments for global forest benefits as an integral element of conservation incentives on the ground. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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