Tree planting by small producers in the tropics: A comparative study of Brazil and Panama
Background
Forest regrowth is a widespread phenomenon across the tropical forest latitudes. Such reforestation takes place in the wake of land abandonment, occurs cyclically in a rotational agricultural system, and may result from the deliberate planting of trees by farmers. Although less extensive than successional forest regeneration, tree planting by small farmers can have potentially important environmental impacts at both the site and global scale.
Research goals & methods
This paper examines tree-planting efforts by small farmers in the tropical frontier regions of Panama and Brazil in order to gauge the magnitude of reforestation activities, and to identify factors that influence these efforts. The paper discusses the environmental regulations, forestry law, and tenure institutions in both countries, and performs a comparative analysis of reforestation efforts with information derived from household surveys (n = 356) and in-depth tree planting interviews (n = 35). Results from logistic regression are also presented.
Conclusions & takeaways
Results suggest that tree planting occurs more frequently in Panama, which the authors attribute to greater external support in the provisioning of extension and materials and strong market incentives. The authors suggest that the proximity of the study sites to Panama City facilitates external support and market drivers. Finally, results suggest that land tenure security is an influential determinant of reforestation activities in both countries.
Reference:
Tree planting by small producers in the tropics: A comparative study of Brazil and Panama. Agroforestry Systems. 2002;56:89–105. doi:10.1023/a:1021377231402.
.Affiliation:
- Central Michigan University Department of Geography, MI, US
- Michigan State University Department of Geography East Lansing, MI, US
- University of Florida, Center for Latin American Studies, Gainesville, FL, US