Decentralization can help reduce deforestation when user groups engage with local government

Glenn D. Wright, Krister P. Andersson, Clark C. Gibson, Tom P. Evans

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

92 Scopus citations

Abstract

Policy makers around the world tout decentralization as an effective tool in the governance of natural resources. Despite the popularity of these reforms, there is limited scientific evidence on the environmental effects of decentralization, especially in tropical biomes. This study presents evidence on the institutional conditions under which decentralization is likely to be successful in sustaining forests. We draw on common-pool resource theory to argue that the environmental impact of decentralization hinges on the ability of reforms to engage local forest users in the governance of forests. Using matching techniques, we analyze longitudinal field observations on both social and biophysical characteristics in a large number of local government territories in Bolivia (a country with a decentralized forestry policy) and Peru (a country with a much more centralized forestry policy). We find that territories with a decentralized forest governance structure have more stable forest cover, but only when local forest user groups actively engage with the local government officials. We provide evidence in support of a possible causal process behind these results: When user groups engage with the decentralized units, it creates a more enabling environment for effective local governance of forests, including more local government-led forest governance activities, fora for the resolution of forest-related conflicts, intermunicipal cooperation in the forestry sector, and stronger technical capabilities of the local government staff.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)14958-14963
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume113
Issue number52
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 27 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Bolivia
  • Decentralization
  • Forests
  • Governance
  • Peru

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Decentralization can help reduce deforestation when user groups engage with local government'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this