From deforestation to forest expansion in the tropics
In contrast to the general picture of deforestation, in some tropical countries forests are expanding. The question of where and why these forest transitions occur will be the theme of a symposium to be held in Ede on June 19. The meeting is organized by Wageningen University in cooperation with other Dutch knowledge institutions.
During the recent 9th Conference of Parties of the Biodiversity Convention of the United Nations in Bonn, representatives of 60 countries agreed that tropical deforestation must be stopped by 2020. In some countries this is already the case. They have gone through a transition from deforestation to forest expansion. This are important developments, even though the new forests often have a different nature quality than the original forests. Gradually it becomes clear which factors cause whether such transitions take place. Is it caused by economic growth or by a rural exodus? And to what extend is it influenced by policy regulations? An increased understanding of these factors can help in predicting and facilitating forest transitions. The history of forest transitions in Europe may assist in creating such understanding.
The symposium ‘Forest transitions in the tropics. Are tropical forests on their way to recovery?’ aims to present the present understanding of forest transitions in the tropics and to discuss the policy repercussions of these developments. Various Dutch and international experts will present the present state-of-knowledge regarding the forest dynamics in tropical countries.