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The expansion of the agricultural frontier in the northern Amazon region of Ecuador, 2000–2011: Process, causes, and impact

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  • Viteri-Salazar, Oswaldo
  • Toledo, Lucía

Abstract

The Amazon forest has been characterized as one of the areas with the most extraordinary biodiversity in the world. However, the implementation of public policies throughout history has been one cause of an increasing presence of farmers who exert pressure on resources. The need to determine agricultural frontier growth and document the problem has been addressed by many authors who have focused their research on methodologies based on the use of geographic information systems. However, an approach based on quantitative and qualitative data could be constructive in validating and/or complementing such studies. In our case, from a historical contextualization, we identify the main causes of agricultural frontier expansion and, by analyzing information compiled from surveys and interviews, attempt to establish its main impacts. We found that the rate of deforestation for the period under review is at odds with rates determined by other methodologies. We also conclude that rapid population growth and the implementation of government projects in the area have led, first, to a division of land (farms) and a change in land use and, second, to a significant reduction in the forest cover.

Suggested Citation

  • Viteri-Salazar, Oswaldo & Toledo, Lucía, 2020. "The expansion of the agricultural frontier in the northern Amazon region of Ecuador, 2000–2011: Process, causes, and impact," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:99:y:2020:i:c:s0264837720302787
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2020.104986
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    Cited by:

    1. Lucía Toledo & Gloria Salmoral & Oswaldo Viteri-Salazar, 2023. "Rethinking Agricultural Policy in Ecuador (1960–2020): Analysis Based on the Water–Energy–Food Security Nexus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-22, August.
    2. Jouf, C. & Lawson, L.A., 2022. "European farmers’ responses to higher commodity prices: Cropland expansion or forestlands preservation?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    3. Gricelda Herrera-Franco & Néstor Montalván-Burbano & Carlos Mora-Frank & Lady Bravo-Montero, 2021. "Scientific Research in Ecuador: A Bibliometric Analysis," Publications, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-34, December.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Ecuadorian Amazon; Agricultural frontier; Agricultural policies; Population growth;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N56 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - Latin America; Caribbean
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q18 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Policy; Food Policy; Animal Welfare Policy

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