Geography of Tropical Deforestation

Abstract

The article takes a preliminary look at tropical deforestation in light of the latest data provided in the Forest Resources Assessment 1990, Tropical countries, by FAO. The phenomenon of deforestation is studied from the spatial point of view by discussing different land use options and their requirements and consequences. The variables included are forest cover, relative annual rate of deforestation, population density, and per capita GNP, as well as GNP per km². The meaning of population density as the main variable in explaining the rate of deforestation is expanded with a classification of deforestation into three types: natural deforestation, subsistence deforestation and deforestation caused by profit maximization. These three types of deforestation each have their own causes and they vary both in time and space. The present state (1990) of deforestation and the above mentioned variables in the tropical countries are described in thematic maps in order to give a global view to the problematics of deforestations a glance. Finally a few conclusions on Africa, Asia and Latin America are drawn. As this is a preliminary look at the phenomena, no statistical analysis has been included.