The Economics of Deforestation. The Example of Ecuador.

Tropical forests are disappearing at an unaltered pace, giving way to alternative land uses. This book gives an economic perspective on deforestation. Following a survey of different deforestation definitions, theories and empirical evidence, a case-study of Ecuador provides a versatile historical picture of factors affecting forest loss throughout different periods, regions and ecosystems. It is shown that policy and market failures alone cannot explain rapid deforestation; decision-makers follow a composite economic rationale in their continuous clearing of forests which can only be counteracted by concerted action.

SVEN WUNDER studied at the Universities of Copenhagen and Oxford. He works at the Centre for Development Research, Copenhagen, as a Senior Project Researcher and is author or co-author of several books on the subject of deforestation.