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Exploring the Association Between People and Deforestation in Madagascar

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Book cover Human Population

Part of the book series: Ecological Studies ((ECOLSTUD,volume 214))

Abstract

An island widely recognized for remarkably high biological diversity, Madagascar continues to experience considerable deforestation. This study explores possible causes of forest loss between 1990 and 2000. Applying a multivariate probit model, the study considers a range of human geographic, physical geographic, and infrastructure data to identify likely reasons for deforestation during the final decade of the twentieth century. Results indicate that protected areas substantially slow forest loss. They also show that access via roads and footpaths were important prerequisites for deforestation during the 1990s. Neither population density nor poverty seemed to be related to forest loss, though data shortcomings may help explain this lack of relationship. The issues that appear to be linked to deforestation in Madagascar are sensitive to policy decisions, suggesting that development strategies can help stem forest loss in this important repository of biological diversity.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    The analysis of satellite imagery sought to identify deforestation between 1990 and 2000. However, as often is the case with islands clouds on parts of images occasionally obscured the ground. As a result, for some locations analysts had to analyze imagery dating slightly earlier or later than the 1990 and 2000 target dates in order to fill in these clouded areas.

  2. 2.

    Joanna Durbin and Bart Minten kindly commented on an earlier version of this paper, helping to improve both clarity and accuracy. Mark Denil recommended key improvements in the design of Figs. 11.1, 11.2, and 11.3.

  3. 3.

    The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank and its affiliated organizations, or those of the Executive Directors of The World Bank or the governments they represent.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Landscape Architecture, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    L. J. Gorenflo

  2. Program in Environmental Studies, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA, 01075, USA

    Catherine Corson

  3. Independent Evaluation Group, The World Bank, 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC, 20036, USA

    Kenneth M. Chomitz

  4. 4165 Downy Court, East Helena, MT, 59635, USA

    Grady Harper

  5. Science and Knowledge Division, Conservation International, 2011 Crystal Drive, Suite 500, Arlington, VA, 22202, USA

    Miroslav Honzák

  6. Development Research Group, The World Bank, 1818 H Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20036, USA

    Berk Özler

Authors
  1. L. J. Gorenflo
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  2. Catherine Corson
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  3. Kenneth M. Chomitz
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  4. Grady Harper
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  5. Miroslav Honzák
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  6. Berk Özler
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Correspondence to L. J. Gorenflo .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Demographer-in-residence, The Stimson Center, 19th St. NW. 1111, Washington, 20036, District of Columbia, USA

    Richard P. Cincotta

  2. , Department of Landscape Architecture, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, 16802-1912, Pennsylvania, USA

    Larry J. Gorenflo

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Gorenflo, L.J., Corson, C., Chomitz, K.M., Harper, G., Honzák, M., Özler, B. (2011). Exploring the Association Between People and Deforestation in Madagascar. In: Cincotta, R., Gorenflo, L. (eds) Human Population. Ecological Studies, vol 214. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-16707-2_11

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