IUFRO Spotlights

2017-02-22

IUFRO Spotlight #44 - Evidence linking community forest rights and improved forest condition inconclusive

Researchers at Michigan State University conclude that research on linkages between forest tenure and forest condition needs to be broader.


A group of researchers led by Dr. Runsheng Yin of MSU was tasked by the United States Agency for International Development with reviewing, summarizing and commenting evidence on the assumption that there is a correlation between the devolution of forest governance and improved forest condition. In their review of the literature, they found the assumption deserves, at best, a "maybe."

"Reforming forest tenure/governance systems is increasingly viewed as a key factor in fulfilling a whole host of development and environmental goals predicated on managing forest ecosystems sustainably," said Dr. Yin. The literature review can benefit policy makers, businesses, researchers, international donors and many other organizations by improving their understanding of the complex linkages between devolved tenure systems and forest conditions.

The literature review has been published as a four-article special feature in Forest Policy and Economics 73: 271-299: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/13899341/73


Further reading:

Files:
spotlight44-devolution-forest-governance.pdf519 Ki