Title: Economic determinants of deforestation in developing countries

Authors: Collins Ayoo

Addresses: Department of Economics, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6, Canada

Abstract: Forests are an important natural resource that provides to society several valuable goods and services that include timber, fuel, food, chemicals, medicines, climate regulation, and soil protection. Forests in several developing countries are however being destroyed at a rapid rate with adverse impacts such as increased soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and increased emissions of greenhouse gases that cause climate change. The causes of deforestation are complex and diverse and depend on the socio-economic, political, cultural, legal and institutional contexts of the countries in which the affected forests are located. This paper examines the deforestation trends in developing countries and discusses the key drivers of deforestation in these countries. The paper also identifies and discusses some approaches that can be used to reduce deforestation. The insights provided by the paper can be practically applied to formulate policies, strategies and action plans for improving forest management and enhancing both their economic contribution and role in sustainable development.

Keywords: forests; deforestation; sustainable development; biodiversity; poverty.

DOI: 10.1504/IJESD.2022.123928

International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2022 Vol.21 No.3, pp.285 - 311

Accepted: 02 Oct 2020
Published online: 05 Jul 2022 *

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