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Forest Cover Changes in Lao Tropical Forests: Physical and Socio-Economic Factors are the Most Important Drivers

Author

Listed:
  • Chittana Phompila

    (Faculty of Forest Science, The National University of Laos, Vientiane Capital 0100, Lao People’s Democratic Republic
    School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

  • Megan Lewis

    (School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

  • Bertram Ostendorf

    (School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

  • Kenneth Clarke

    (School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

Abstract

Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) has been experiencing significant forest depletion since the 1980s, but there is little evidence to demonstrate the major causes and underlying drivers for the forest cover changes. In this study, we investigated the relationship between forest cover decrease and increase in the south of Lao PDR between 2006 and 2012 and selected physical and socio-economic factors. We used a map of forest cover changes derived from analysis of Landsat ETM+ imagery in 2006 and 2012, together with socio-economic and physical environmental data from the national authorities. The study area has experienced noticeable forest cover changes: both forest decreases and increases were unevenly distributed throughout the region. Logistic regression models were used to test relationships between forest cover decrease or increase and selected physical and socio-economic factors. Forest clearance was associated strongly with elevation, distance to main roads and shifting cultivation practices. Meanwhile, forest cover increase was more likely to correlate with rubber plantations. Native forest and shifting cultivation lands were vulnerable to being converted into rubber plantations. This research provides much-needed information on which to base forestry policy and decision making to minimize and prevent current deforestation, as well as manage potential risks in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Chittana Phompila & Megan Lewis & Bertram Ostendorf & Kenneth Clarke, 2017. "Forest Cover Changes in Lao Tropical Forests: Physical and Socio-Economic Factors are the Most Important Drivers," Land, MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-14, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:6:y:2017:i:2:p:23-:d:94342
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Deng, Xiangzheng & Huang, Jikun & Uchida, Emi & Rozelle, Scott & Gibson, John, 2011. "Pressure cookers or pressure valves: Do roads lead to deforestation in China?," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 79-94, January.
    2. Casse, Thorkil & Milhoj, Anders & Ranaivoson, Socrate & Romuald Randriamanarivo, Jean, 2004. "Causes of deforestation in southwestern Madagascar: what do we know?," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 6(1), pages 33-48, January.
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    Cited by:

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    3. Skutsch, Margaret & Turnhout, Esther, 2020. "REDD+: If communities are the solution, what is the problem?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
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    5. Ayoob REZAEE MOTLAQ & Aidin PARSAKHOO & Kamran ADELI & Mohamad Hadi MOAYERI, 2018. "The influence of rural road development on forest extent changes over the three time periods: A case study of Chegeni region, Lorestan province," Journal of Forest Science, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 64(7), pages 313-318.
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    9. Yu Feng & Zhenzhong Zeng & Timothy D. Searchinger & Alan D. Ziegler & Jie Wu & Dashan Wang & Xinyue He & Paul R. Elsen & Philippe Ciais & Rongrong Xu & Zhilin Guo & Liqing Peng & Yiheng Tao & Dominick, 2022. "Doubling of annual forest carbon loss over the tropics during the early twenty-first century," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 5(5), pages 444-451, May.

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