The role of shifting cultivation in deforestation in Indonesia has been an area of great debate. Some claim this farming system is the main cause of forest cover loss. Others claim that - far from being damaging - it is a key means for the conservation and sustainable management of remaining forests. The two sides of the debate are talking past each other, because each refers to different farming systems at opposite ends of what might be called the 'forest farming continuum'. Recently, there has been progress in clarifying the meaning of certain terms but the debate remains confused. In order to better understand the causes and extent of forest cover change in Indonesia, it is necessary to clearly identify the different forms of agency affecting forests and also to define key terms and concepts such as 'forest', 'deforestation', 'degradation', and 'causation'. Based on these definitions an analysis of forest cover change over time can then be carried out.
Publisher
Overseas Development Institute (ODI)
Publication year
1997
Authors
Geographic
Indonesia
Topic
Project Leader
Kristen Evans
CIFOR Associate
Julia E. Fa
CIFOR Senior Associate
Willy Daeli
Consultant
Lauren Coad
Consultant
Rebecca McLain
CIFOR Senior Associate
David Fabre
Consultant
Rodd Myers
CIFOR Associate
Boen Purnama, MSc
CIFOR Senior Associate
Shalini Dhyani
Scientist
Bishwa Nath Oli
CIFOR Associate