The logic of livestock and deforestation in Amazonia
- Univ. of California, Los Angeles, CA (United States)
Most cleared forest in Latin America's lowland tropics will eventually become pasture. The incineration of large areas of high-biomass forest in Amazonia currently generates 10-15% of the total carbon additions to the atmosphere. This article analyzes the logic and economics of livestock in Amazonia by evaluating the various means of making profits from land and natural-resource capital. It also discusses how the Amazonian livestock sector is closely linked to virtually every other rural development activity. These links establish a framework for analyzing deforestation patterns. The analysis qualifies some of the current explanations of deforestation. Finally, current approaches to diminishing this destructive land use are discussed. 51 refs., 1 fig., 3 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 5567725
- Journal Information:
- Bioscience; (United States), Vol. 43:10; ISSN 0006-3568
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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