Deforestation in Latin America


This page is under construction and is intended as a resource for researchers or students currently in the field.  
It is not a comprehensive resource, but should serve as a good starting point for those interested in the topic.  

Website Links:
US AID Forest Conservation Program Great basic information on forests worldwide and current projects taking place.
Center for International Forestry Research CIFOR is an international research and global knowledge institution committed to conserving forests and improving the livelihoods of people in the tropics.
Forest Conservation Portal

This site provides  forest conservation news, information retrieval tools and original analysis.
Tropical Rainforest Information Center
Their mission is to provide NASA data, products and information services to the science, resource management, and policy and education communities (Landsat, other high-res satellite remote sensing data, digital deforestation maps and GIS data).
Map of Central American Forests  A small diagram of different levels of protected and non-protected forests in Central America.
World Rainforest Movement  A cool NGO with great resources and a positive message, including ways you can help.
World Rainforest Information Portal  A great guide to rainforests around the world.
Rainforest Alliance  The mission of the Rainforest Alliance is to protect ecosystems and the people and wildlife that depend on them by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. 
FAO's Forestry Home
 A broad overview of forestry and conservation issues, this site also has regional statistics and projects.
Yahoo's Deforestation Directory  This site contains links to many sites about deforestation.
World Agroforestry Centre This site gives regional examples of community conservation initiatives which make profits while helping the environment.
Neotrpoical Realm: Environmental Profile Profiles of Latin America countries and their forest resource use statistics are listed by country, as well as a bunch of other cool stuff, in this fun fact-filled website.


Research Articles:
Deforestation and the Environmental Crisis in Latin America This is a review of recent research on Latin American forests.
FAO's Latin American Forestry Sector Outlook Study Paper Broad overview of current forests and problems being faced in the region.
The Institutional Origins of Deforestation in Latin America (Source: CIESIN) This paper looks at institutional crises which lead to deforestation,with Ecuador serving as a case study.
Cattle Ranching and Deforestation (Source: FAO) Straightforward look at the connection.
The Causes of Deforestation in Developing Countries Great starting literature for anyone trying to understand the issue.
Deforestation in Costa Rica:  A Quantitative Analysis Using Remote Sensing Imagery Straightforward.