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.

Autorentext

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.

Inhalt

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