Tens of millions of rural households in tropical countries gain significant income, food, fuel and shelter from forests, which also contribute to the wider local and national economy. However, the part forests play in human well-being and prosperity is often underappreciated or overlooked by strict conservation approaches and poverty-reduction policies. As a result, missed opportunities and unintended consequences can further drive forest loss and undercut rural livelihoods. New patterns – such as rapid land use changes and fast growth in migration and urbanization in developing countries – raise additional questions and require novel approaches.
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) is building evidence of how forests contribute to human wellbeing, to give policy makers the solid base they need to make effective decisions that support both forests and people.
Download:
Publication year
2017
Authors
Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)
Language
English
Keywords
livelihoods, ecosystem services
