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Institutional analysis of causes of deforestation in REDD+ pilot sites in the Equateur province: Implication for REDD+ in the Democratic Republic of Congo

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  • Samndong, Raymond Achu
  • Bush, Glenn
  • Vatn, Arild
  • Chapman, Melissa

Abstract

As DRC moves from REDD+ readiness to implementation, analysis of the causes of deforestation at the local level is paramount. The present study contributes to this by assessing both proximate and underlying causes of deforestation in two REDD+ pilots of the Équateur province. The study found that agricultural expansion through shifting cultivation is the main proximate cause of deforestation. This activity is accelerated by logging that simplifies clearing of land. Logging also contributes to the total biomass loss from the forest. Shifting cultivation is driven by the poverty conditions of the study area. Poverty is also linked to the political and institutional structures of forest governance. These structures are controlled by political elites who influence local decisions to clear forests. While actions to curb deforestation might be challenging, this study suggests that addressing the underlying causes through effective land use planning and developing robust accountable institutions while providing alternative economic opportunities to the local population are necessary.

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  • Samndong, Raymond Achu & Bush, Glenn & Vatn, Arild & Chapman, Melissa, 2018. "Institutional analysis of causes of deforestation in REDD+ pilot sites in the Equateur province: Implication for REDD+ in the Democratic Republic of Congo," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 664-674.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:76:y:2018:i:c:p:664-674
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.02.048
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    1. Ranjan, Ram, 2021. "Land use decisions under REDD+ incentives when warming temperatures affect crop productivity and forest biomass growth rates," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
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    3. Edward A. Morgan & Glenn Bush & Joseph Zambo Mandea & Melaine Kermarc & Brendan Mackey, 2022. "Comparing Community Needs and REDD+ Activities for Capacity Building and Forest Protection in the Équateur Province of the Democratic Republic of Congo," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-21, June.
    4. Wenseslao Plata-Rocha & Sergio Alberto Monjardin-Armenta & Carlos Eduardo Pacheco-Angulo & Jesus Gabriel Rangel-Peraza & Cuauhtemoc Franco-Ochoa & Zuriel Dathan Mora-Felix, 2021. "Proximate and Underlying Deforestation Causes in a Tropical Basin through Specialized Consultation and Spatial Logistic Regression Modeling," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-18, February.
    5. Majaliwa Gilbert Jackson Mwanjalolo & Barasa Bernard & Mukwaya Isolo Paul & Wanyama Joshua & Kutegeka Sophie & Nakyeyune Cotilda & Nakileza Bob & Diisi John & Ssenyonjo Edward & Nakangu Barbara, 2018. "Assessing the Extent of Historical, Current, and Future Land Use Systems in Uganda," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(4), pages 1-17, November.
    6. Jack Baynes & Geoff P. Lovell & John Herbohn, 2021. "Psychological outcomes of REDD + projects: evidence from country case studies," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 26(4), pages 1-27, April.
    7. Sohag, Kazi & Gainetdinova, Anna & Mariev, Oleg, 2023. "Economic growth, institutional quality and deforestation: Evidence from Russia," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    8. Morgan, Edward A. & Osborne, Natalie & Mackey, Brendan, 2022. "Evaluating planning without plans: Principles, criteria and indicators for effective forest landscape approaches," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).

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