Precolonial institutions and deforestation in Africa

Larcom, Shaun; van Gevelt, Terry; Zabala, Aiora

Precolonial institutions and deforestation in Africa

Land Use Policy • Vol/Iss. 51(2016) • Elsevier • • Published In 2016 • Pages: 150-161 •

By Larcom, Shaun, van Gevelt, Terry, Zabala, Aiora

Abstract

Controlling on a wide range of factors, this article examines the relationship between precolonial systems of leadership succession and contemporary deforestation rates. In a study of areas within the boundaries of 649 precolonial societies, the article finds that areas where local leaders were appointed by social standing were more likely to have poorer institutions governing forest management. The authors emphasize the importance of local governance over forest management and argue that precolonial institutions of leadership still have a bearing on current systems of forest management.

Samples
Sample Used	Coded Data	Comment
Ethnographic Atlas (EA)		Used to determine succession type
Hansen et. al (2013) dataset		Used to determine amount of deforestation from 2000-2012

Hypotheses (3)
Hypothesis	Supported
Areas where leaders were appointed by election from above in precolonial times are now more likely to have less deforestation than those with hereditary succession.	Supported
Areas where leaders were appointed by social standing in precolonial times are now more likely to have more deforestation than those with hereditary succession.	Supported
Areas where leaders were appointed by democratic election in precolonial times are now more likely to have more deforestation than those with hereditary succession.	Partially Supported

Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Benjamin.gonzalez

Precolonial institutions and deforestation in Africa

Land Use Policy • Vol/Iss. 51(2016) • Elsevier • • Published In 2016 • Pages: 150-161 • Cite

By Larcom, Shaun, van Gevelt, Terry, Zabala, Aiora

Abstract

Samples

Hypotheses (3)

Land Use Policy • Vol/Iss. 51(2016) • Elsevier • • Published In 2016 • Pages: 150-161 •