The logic of livestock and deforestation in Amazonia

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · Bioscience; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2307/1312340· OSTI ID:5567725

Hecht, S B ^[1]

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1. 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), Journal Name: Bioscience; (United States) Vol. 43:10; ISSN 0006-3568; ISSN BISNAS
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
DEFORESTATION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LATIN AMERICA
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS