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Driving forces of forest cover rehabilitation and implications for forest transition, environmental management and upland sustainable development in Vietnam

Author

Listed:
  • Van Quy Khuc

    (VNU University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University)

  • Bao Quang Tran

    (Vietnam National University of Forestry)

  • Duy Nong

    (The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
    Griffith University)

  • Trung H. Nguyen

    (Regrow Ag)

  • Minh-Hoang Nguyen

    (Phenikaa University)

  • Tam-Tri Le

    (Phenikaa University)

  • Hoang Khac Lich

    (VNU University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University)

  • Patrick Meyfroidt

    (UCLouvain
    Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique F.R.S.-FNRS)

  • Dien Pham

    (Vietnam National University of Forestry)

  • Stephen J. Leisz

    (Colorado State University)

  • Mark W. Paschke

    (Colorado State University)

Abstract

Since the 1990s, forests have changed dramatically, transitioning from net forest loss to net forest increase in Vietnam. This study aims to advance the understanding of the factors driving forest transition at local scales. We employed GIS tools and a structural regression model to quantify the areas of rehabilitated forests and their determinants at the commune scale in Dien Bien province. We found that approximately 118,000 hectares of forest were rehabilitated during 1990 and 2010. Rehabilitated forests accounted for a large share of total forest gain (i.e., above 84%), and this proportion increased from 1990 to 2010. The presence of these rehabilitated forest was associated with both biophysical and accessibility factors. While no evidence regarding the effect of smallholder land use intensity or economic development was found, we did find that forestry land tenure policies facilitate the expansion of rehabilitated forests. The findings of this study can inform the development of policies that support small scale forest transition, environmental management, and upland sustainable development in Vietnam and other countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Van Quy Khuc & Bao Quang Tran & Duy Nong & Trung H. Nguyen & Minh-Hoang Nguyen & Tam-Tri Le & Hoang Khac Lich & Patrick Meyfroidt & Dien Pham & Stephen J. Leisz & Mark W. Paschke, 2025. "Driving forces of forest cover rehabilitation and implications for forest transition, environmental management and upland sustainable development in Vietnam," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 6619-6639, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:endesu:v:27:y:2025:i:3:d:10.1007_s10668-023-04159-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-04159-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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