The Post-frontier: Land use and social change in the Brazilian Amazon (1992 - 2002)

摘要: Deforestation of tropical forests is one the most pressing environmental problems twenty-first century, leading to loss services such as climate regulation and biodiversity. The expansion agricultural frontier by small landholder farmers continues be major drivers land use change in Amazon region. Much recent research Brazilian has been focused on modeling their behavior order prescribe policies that can curb current deforestation rates promote more sustainable practices. availability sophisticated remote sensing economic tools led proliferation household level models attempt explain processes at farm level. This dissertation tests life cycle theory oldest colonization fronts Amazon: Rondonia, now a postfrontier. study examines changes over time for specific aspects process tested using theory. introduces important additions consider dynamic complex set factors characterize modern processes. Specifically examines: (1) property fragmentation processes, (2) ownership, turnover change, (3) These are linked social features smallholder farmer it moves along its cycle. central hypothesis these dynamics explained corresponding evolves into It was found did not adequately time. As evolved post-frontier, labor drudgery constraints associated with initial exemplified theory, became less relevant. Sauerian concept cultural successions scale from hierarchical ecology used apparent inconsistencies between different scales analysis. useful theoretical framework which examine effects use; however, this must embedded within concepts determine differentiated impact behavior.