Early detection of troical deforestation: An IFRI pilot study in Uganda

Abstract

This International Forest Resources and Institutions (IFRI) pilot study explores the following idea: if ecological conditions between forest patches are the same, then major structural and biological differences between forest patches may be entirely the consequence of human rules and use patterns. This hypothesis is explored using two different forests in Uganda: the Namungo Forest and the Lwamunda Forest. The conclusion of this study is that the rules governing similar forests do make a difference in terms of the amount of degradation. The Lwamunda forest, which was subject to more "open access" problems than the Namungo Forest, was significantly more degraded. This finding proves the hypothesis that, when tracts of forests are similar, the rules we place on the forests will effect their rate of degradation.