Global Prospects on Deforestation and Forest Transition

Abstract

This book introduces new research results in ten articles by fourteen scientists from nine countries in five continents. A multilevel and multidisciplinary research approach was adopted in analyzing forest transition and deforestation issues. The purpose of this article is first to give an overview of the contents of this book, and secondly to identify global prospects on effective policy instruments in deforestation control as well as to support transition towards post-industrial sustainable forest management. Until the beginning of the 20th century, deforestation was common in the North. During the industrialization period about a century ago, the interactions of the markets, forest policies and other sectoral policies as well as their effective implementation have transformed deforestation into sustained yield forestry. In most countries of the North, the forestry has gradually been transformed into multiple use and in a few cases towards sustainable forestecosystem management. In the South degradation and deforestation are still expanding. This has appeared most difficult to stop with forestry legislation only. Other preconditions, such as appropriate political, juridical and institutional infrastructures and an efficient market mechanism, are needed. Strengthening of property rights, firm establishment of user rights, land tenure and privatization of forests do play key roles in this process. Multisectoral market and public policy instruments are recommended.