Socioeconomic changes and environmental policies as dimensions of regional land transitions in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil

• Published in: Environmental science & policy Vol. 74; pp. 14 - 22
• Main Authors: Silva, Ramon Felipe Bicudo da, Batistella, Mateus, Moran, Emilio Federico
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2017
• Subjects: Deforestation control; Environmental history; Environmental policies; Forest regeneration; Forest transition; Deforestation control; Forest transition; Forest regeneration; Environmental history; Environmental policies
• ISSN: 1462-9011; 1873-6416
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2017.04.019

•Forest Transition worldwide has been attributed to similar land use trajectories that occur under different social and environmental conditions.•Land use and land cover data show an increase in forest cover in the region since 1962, with the highest growth rate observed from 1985 to 1995.•Former pasturelands contributed about 75% to the new forested areas during recent decades (1980–2010) in the Paraíba Valley.•73% of new forest areas occurred on slopes over 20%, unsuitable areas for agricultural mechanization, irrigation systems or even livestock.•Societal engagement to ensure policy compliance in cases of deforestation is contributing to the conservation of forest remnants. The industrialization of the Paraíba Valley, Brazil has been driven since the 1950s by an intense urbanization process, while municipalities located far from the valley's economic center stagnated. Despite the economic differences and unequal population distribution in the region, the municipalities share similar topographic characteristics with a predominance of hilly terrains. The depletion of the soils' productive capacity after numerous land use cycles without adequate management practices was a common cause of land use abandonment. This research analyzes land use/cover data, environmental policies, census-based data, and interviews with stakeholders, to understand the factors that account for a forest transition in the Paraíba Valley where gains in forest cover more than offset any remaining deforestation. Local conditions, such as topography, land use history, environmental policies, engagement of society in complying with legal regulations, commodity markets, and the action of enforcement agencies, represent dimensions which, combined, have boosted forest transitions.