Farming the forests

Journal Article · · Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States)

OSTI ID:6725631

Dale, V J; Pedlowski, M A ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab, TN (United States)

The Amazon Basin contains the world's largest expanse of tropical rain forest, but neither the ecosystems nor the potential food, medicinal, and industrial uses have been fully explored. The authors review the history of deforestation in Rondonia, Brazil because of the colonization program, started in 1968. The two primary factors are the number of new colonists and the number of long-time farmers moving to new land after depleating the soil. They conclude the policies that encourage massive migration and efforts to raise living standards will continue to result in tropical forest destruction in Rondonia and throughout the tropics. Sustainable agriculture practices could mean an economic pathway that allows people of the tropics to support themselves over the long-term while maintaining an ecological balance.

• OSTI ID: 6725631
• Journal Information: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States), Journal Name: Forum for Applied Research and Public Policy; (United States) Vol. 7:4; ISSN FARPEL; ISSN 0887-8218
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
291000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Conservation
553000* -- Agriculture & Food Technology
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
AGRICULTURE
BRAZIL
DEFORESTATION
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
ECOSYSTEMS
FORESTS
LATIN AMERICA
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
SOUTH AMERICA
TROPICAL REGIONS