Do Property Rights Matter for Conservation? Family Land, Forests and Trees in Saint Lucia, West Indies

摘要: Property rights are a central topic in conservation debates, but their influence on environmental outcomes is rarely carefully assessed. This study compared land use, tree planting practices and arboreal vegetation government, estate private, smallholder private communal “family” lands Saint Lucia. The of tenure was apparent, overall not strong predictor either farmer or characteristics. Higher abundance planted trees offset by greater natural forest family lands. Tree abandonment cultivation (with ensuing afforestation) were commonplace all three types land. swamped other factors shaping decisions to plant trees, cut abandon cultivation, including local topography changing commodity labor markets. Findings from this challenge the assumption that property necessarily determine resource outcomes.