The Social Dynamics of Deforestation in the Philippines

The Social Dynamics of Deforestation in the Philippines Synopsis

This work offers a detailed case study into the dynamics of forest use, degredation and loss in North East Luzon, Philippines. Following an interdisciplinary approach, the degredation and loss of forest cover in this area between 1950 and 1990 is related to the social and political context of logging, forest migration and changes in upland agriculture. The work makes a contribution to knowledge both in the field of Philippine studies and in relation to deforestation, environmental change, political ecology and development. Based on ten years of research, five in the Sierra Madre region, the author introduces us to the actions, livelihood options and motives of all the principal groups of actors. Using a balance between systematic survey data and the qualitiative, almost anecdotal, reporting of conversations with these key actors, the book offers an insight into the long history of national, regional and local outsiders gaining access to the natural resources and lands of this last large forest frontier in the Philippines.