Reforestation and smallholder livelihoods in the humid tropics

Liz Ota; John L Herbohn; Nestor O Gregorio; Steve R Harrison

doi:10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.104455

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Reforestation and smallholder livelihoods in the humid tropics

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Reforestation and smallholder livelihoods in the humid tropics

Liz Ota, John L Herbohn, Nestor O Gregorio and Steve R Harrison

Land Use Policy, Vol.92, 104455

2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.104455

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Abstract

agroforestry systems

forest restoration

forest and landscape restoration

livelihood portfolios

sustainable

livelihoods

framework

Smallholder livelihoods and the restoration of tropical forests are intimately intertwined. To address the question of how reforestation affects livelihoods and how they in turn affect reforestation, a meta-synthesis was undertaken of 339 scientific publications identified from a systematic literature search. This study is focused on smallholders in the humid tropics, and uses the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, which was developed by the UK Department for International Development as the framework for analysis. The links between reforestation and livelihoods are found to be diverse and highly interconnected. Reforestation is only one of a smallholder's activities and typically forms part of a mosaic of land uses across a landscape. Therefore, reforestation should be designed, managed and evaluated under the perspective of a diverse livelihood portfolio, and not as a single activity isolated from other portfolio components, especially under current landscape approaches. It is important for reforestation to be a complementary rather than a competitive livelihood activity. Reforestation has great potential to address poverty, and to increase smallholder socio-ecological resilience and local social equity. However, reforestation outcomes are often suboptimal. Assessing smallholder capacity and the surrounding environment prior to reforestation, and addressing limiting local capacities and conditions in a timely manner, may enhance the likelihood of optimal benefits.

Details

Title: Reforestation and smallholder livelihoods in the humid tropics
Authors: Liz Ota (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
John L Herbohn (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Nestor O Gregorio (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast
Steve R Harrison (Author) - University of Queensland
Publication details: Land Use Policy, Vol.92, 104455
Publisher: Elsevier Ltd.
Date published: 2020
DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.104455
ISSN: 0264-8377
Organisation Unit: Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450956502621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Environmental Studies

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