DeForESG

Deforestation explained by social-ecological dynamics and governance shifts

Projektteam am UFZ Yves Zinngrebe (Dr.)
Diego Brizuela - Torres Dr. Calum Brown
Funding iDiv
Duration 2021 - 2025

Description


The Amazon biome is home to the world's largest tropical forest but is severely threatened by deforestation and land-use change. While much research has examined individual drivers like agriculture and resource extraction, their interactions—and the deeper social, political, and historical forces behind them—are still poorly understood. This is due in part to limited long-term data and fragmented studies across disciplines and governance levels.

The DEFORESG project addresses these gaps by examining deforestation as a multi-scale, multi-temporal process. We bring together insights from multiple disciplines to better understand the system and identify where and how interventions can support improved forest governance.


In a first stage, the DEFORESG project has compiled an unprecedented dataset on deforestation trends, land uses and demographic indicators for the past 30 years across the Amazon biome, which has been used to identify patterns of land-use change and links to observed deforestation.

In a second stage, we have dived into a regional case study, assessing the role of oil palm in deforestation and land-use change processes in Peru. Using a multidisciplinary approach, we assessed its role in deforestation and the conditions that determine whether palm expansion drives forest loss or occurs sustainably, supporting local livelihoods. We are now working closely with stakeholders in the Peruvian palm sector to develop strategies that support sustainable expansion as the industry continues to grow. 

In a third stage, we are using statistical modelling for uncovering the links of historical deforestation dynamics to patterns of land-use and their changes over time.

In a last step, we will use these insights as the basis for performing an experts’ elicitation process for explaining the changing trajectories of drivers and deforestation as a result of historical changes in indirect drivers and underlying forces, such as larger social-ecological dynamics, political and regulatory changes, or changes in market demands.