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Explaining forest transitions: The role of governance

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  • Barbier, Edward B.
  • Tesfaw, Anteneh

Abstract

We analyze how governance may influence competing land uses for forests, and thus the occurrence of forest transitions, across different low and middle-income countries. We develop a model of competing land uses that allows for governance to impact the risk of future versus current agricultural and forested land allocations. The resulting hypothesis on the relationship between governance and the likelihood of a forest transition is then tested using cross-country data. The empirical analysis offers strong support for the competing land use framework, and indicates that rule of law, forest policy and regulatory quality influence forest transitions. These findings inform not only the ongoing debate on forest transitions but also policy options for managing such transitions in developing economies.

Suggested Citation

  • Barbier, Edward B. & Tesfaw, Anteneh, 2015. "Explaining forest transitions: The role of governance," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 252-261.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolec:v:119:y:2015:i:c:p:252-261
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2015.09.010
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    5. Cochard, Roland & Gravey, Mathieu & Rasera, Luiz Gustavo & Mariethoz, Grégoire & Kull, Christian A., 2023. "The nature of a ‘forest transition’ in Thừa Thiên Huế Province, Central Vietnam – A study of land cover changes over five decades," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    6. Wolfersberger, Julien & Delacote, Philippe & Garcia, Serge, 2015. "An empirical analysis of forest transition and land-use change in developing countries," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 241-251.
    7. Gennaro Punzo & Rosalia Castellano & Emma Bruno, 2021. "The determinants of land use in Italy from a spatial perspective: a re-interpretation at the time of covid-19," RIEDS - Rivista Italiana di Economia, Demografia e Statistica - The Italian Journal of Economic, Demographic and Statistical Studies, SIEDS Societa' Italiana di Economia Demografia e Statistica, vol. 75(2), pages 72-82, April-Jun.
    8. Iriarte-Goñi, Iñaki & Ayuda, María-Isabel, 2018. "Should Forest Transition Theory include effects on forest fires? The case of Spain in the second half of the twentieth century," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 789-797.
    9. Kristine Hermanrud & Indra de Soysa, 2017. "Lazy thinking, lazy giving? Examining the effects of Norwegian aid on forests in developing countries," International Area Studies Review, Center for International Area Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, vol. 20(1), pages 19-41, March.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Developing countries; Forest transition; Land use; Probit estimation; Cross-country regression;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q23 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Forestry
    • Q24 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Renewable Resources and Conservation - - - Land
    • O13 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Agriculture; Natural Resources; Environment; Other Primary Products

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