Forests as landscapes of social inequality: tropical forest cover and land distribution among shifting cultivators

Coomes, Oliver T.; Takasaki, Yoshito; Rhemtulla, Jeanine M.

doi:10.5751/es-08684-210320

Cited by 31 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Increased built-up area and reduced agricultural area, water bodies and forest area have also been reported elsewhere [28]. There is reported correlation between land holding, land use and forest cover distribution [29]. The results from this study however differ from that of Ouedraogo, et al [30] covering 1990, 2000 and 2013.…”

Section: Land Cover Transitions (1973-2013)supporting

confidence: 42%

Land Cover Changes in the Malewa River Basin, Kenya

Cheruiyot¹,

Gathuru²,

Koske³

et al. 2019

JESE-A

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Detection of land cover change helps in the understanding of how humans modify the natural environment. Modification is attributed to both restoration and degradation processes. Such information guides decisions on mitigating landscape degradation and advancing restoration. This study sets to determine land cover changes from 1973 to 2013 in the Malewa River Basin (1,760 km 2) in central rift valley, Kenya. Satellite imageries from Landsat (Landsat Multispectral Scanner, 1973; Landsat TM (Thematic Mapper), 1986; ETM+ (Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus), 2000; and SPOT, 2013) were analyzed using various imaging techniques available in ArcGIS 10.1 and ERDAS Imagine software. The results showed a cumulative growth of 25,617.0 ha (28.8%) in area under cropland, an increase of 4,310.1 ha (11.3%) in forestland and 688.0 ha (490.7%) of wetland. There was a net decrease of 28,953.8 ha (72.2%) in the area under shrubland and 1,747.4 ha (19.2%) under grassland. The findings suggest that increased demand for arable land is mainly driven by food and income needs of the human population. This exerted enormous pressure particularly on shrublands and grassland. Increased forest cover suggests an improvement in forest restoration efforts during the last ten years. There is need to manage expansion into new arable areas by improving land productivity and tackling the drivers of land cover change.

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Section: Land Cover Transitions (1973-2013)supporting

confidence: 42%

Land Cover Changes in the Malewa River Basin, Kenya

Cheruiyot¹,

Gathuru²,

Koske³

et al. 2019

JESE-A

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“…resources), which leads to inequality and poor land management. Inequality is driven by different land-use practices and investment choices that fail to distribute resources equally (Coomes et al, 2016). Inadequate distribution forces more land to be converted, which can lead to a cycle of poor land management and social inequality and pushes development away from environmental sustainability (Hasegawa et al, 2019;Boyce, 1994;Cumming and von Cramon-Taubadel, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unequal access to resources undermines global sustainability

Henderson

Loreau

2021

Science of The Total Environment

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We are a global society with various land use patterns, inequality, and the movement of people and goods. The various practices and behaviours associated with our current society raise questions about the future sustainability of the human population and the natural environment. We derive a model of a global socio-ecological system to explore the connections between human well-being and land resources, specifically looking at resource accessibility, conservation initiatives and human migration between two economically diverse regions. We find that the spatial aspect of a global system with two distinct regions, allows for faster development of technology, higher peaks in population size, greater natural land degradation, and generally speaking lower population well-being in the long-term. The unequal access to resources and differences in technological progress, alter the outcome of land management (i.e., conservation) and social behaviours (i.e., migration). We conclude that any socio-ecological management practices should be conscientious of the diversity in land access, population size, population well-being and development within the global society, as the potential for unintended consequences is high. Inequality needs to be addressed to promote sustainability.1 reserved. No reuse allowed without permission.

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“…Experience in Asia has shown that providing broader livelihood options and alternative income generating activities outside forestry sector could help in poverty reduction activities for forest dependent activities [24]. This is in line with opinion that ecological conditions is an important pre-requisite used by resource users to develop their livelihood activities and also leverage on sustainable development [25]. (3) Another means of supporting the communities is to provide some fund for micro-finance on a revolving basis.…”

Section: Recommendationmentioning

confidence: 62%

An Assessment of Social and Economic Indicators in Pilot REDD+ Communities of Afi/Mbe in Cross River State, Nigeria

Akanni¹

2018

IJEPP

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Poverty alleviation for forest dependent communities is one of the key objectives of Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation-plus (REDD+), apart from climate change mitigation and biodiversity conservation. There is need to avoid adverse social and economic consequences by adopting strong safeguard and measures if REDD+ is to have positive impacts for climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation. A Participatory Community Wellbeing Assessment (CWA) tool was used to measure some socioeconomic indicators as it relates particularly with regard to basic needs, safety needs, belonging needs, self-esteem as well as spiritual needs in eight selected communities in Afi/Mbe, one of the pilot REDD+ project sites in Cross-River State, Nigeria. The findings reveal that 62.5% of the communities sampled had much decline in their food security from pre-REDD+ period while 37.5% of the communities had slight decline on the same indicator. The trend in reduction in food security in the communities particularly with reference to pre-REDD+ era is also reflected in trends in savings. 62.5% of the communities' sampled had decline in savings indicator. This has some implication on the security need due to inability to buffer for the future. The alternative livelihood indicator showed that only 25% of communities sampled has one form of alternative livelihood or the other. The effect of REDD+ on the basic need indicator is also reflected in the inability of resident farmers to build new houses of their own. Outsiders like Civil servants now come into the communities to erect houses. This poses a serious equity issue for local residents. A set of recommendations for improving alternative livelihoods, health and education in the communities are proffered in addition to means of leveraging REDD+ to achieve sustainable development objectives in Nigeria. The study can form a basis for formulation of policies and measures with regards to REDD+ social safeguards and equity in REDD+ process in line with UN-REDD proposed social and environmental safeguards criteria.

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Forests as landscapes of social inequality: tropical forest cover and land distribution among shifting cultivators

Cited by 31 publications

References 39 publications

Land Cover Changes in the Malewa River Basin, Kenya

Land Cover Changes in the Malewa River Basin, Kenya

Unequal access to resources undermines global sustainability

An Assessment of Social and Economic Indicators in Pilot REDD+ Communities of Afi/Mbe in Cross River State, Nigeria

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