Tracing forest resource development in Ghana through forest transition pathways. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Oduro, K.A.; Mohren, G.M.J.; Peña-Claros, M.; Kyereh, B.; Arts, B.
• Is Part Of: Land use policy. Volume 48(2015:Jul.)
• Page Start: 63
• Page End: 72
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Ghana -- Deforestation -- Forest plantation -- Reforestation; Land use -- Periodicals; Land use -- Government policy -- Periodicals; Sol, Utilisation du -- Périodiques; Sol, Utilisation du -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 333.7305
• DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2015.05.020
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-8377

Abstract

Highlights: We analyze trends in forest area change in Ghana through forest transition pathways. The current annual reforestation compensates for 13% of annual forest area decrease. Reforestation in Ghana is promoted for rural economic development. Currently there is no strong driver enabling transition to forest recovery in Ghana. Forest transition in Ghana requires increasing total productivity of plantations Abstract: Tropical deforestation is a serious environmental and economic problem that has become a global issue due to climate change and biodiversity loss. Reducing tropical deforestation is seen as national and international priority, given its impacts on carbon emissions, biodiversity and rural livelihoods. Some developing countries have achieved a forest transition: a shift from net deforestation to net reforestation, whereby a few generic pathways have been identified. Such pathways usually depend on the social, economic, ecological and political contexts of a country. A better understanding of trends related to the pathways at the country level is necessary to identify which factors drive forest transition. This paper analyzes forest resources development trends in Ghana by focusing on forest transition pathways and discussing the implications for a forest transition in the country. The analysis indicates that there is currently no strong force toward a forest transition through any of the generic pathways. Existing trends are either too small-scale or too ineffective. To accelerate a forest transition in Ghana, policy and management options should target measures that reduce current degradation of closed natural forests, increase the area and productivity of commercial forest plantations, promote sustainable forest management, and support and encourage forest conservation and integration of trees into farming systems.