The Economics of Deforestation in the Amazon

Dispelling the Myths

João S. Campari, holds a Ph.D. in Economics and Program Director, The Nature Conservancy

This provocative new book presents the results of twenty years of research on deforestation in the Amazon. By carefully observing the changing character of human settlements and their association with deforestation over such a prolonged period, the author is able to reject much of the ‘perceived wisdom’. He skillfully dissects various models of deforestation and provides hard evidence on what is myth and what is reality.

‘Although the book is written by an economist, it can be easily read by anybody interested in Amazon deforestation. It provides a refreshing new perspective on a topic that is very emotionally charged and often burdened by lack of knowledge about what is really going on. This book merges theory, data and on-site experience in a compelling way, convincing the reader that the author really knows his topic.’
– Lykke E. Andersen, Environmental Sciences

‘The “Turnover Hypothesis” maintains that deforestation in Brazil is due primarily to small farmers who cut, farm, deplete the soil, and move on to cut again. However, this thorough analysis by João Campari marshals twenty years of data to show that deforestation now is due primarily to consolidated farms of the interior rather than small farms on the frontier. The book combines economic theory, empirical tests, and multidisciplinary approaches, all of which should prove extremely useful for policymakers who must know the true causes of deforestation in order to design policies to control it.’
– Don Fullerton, University of Texas, Austin, US

‘This is an important book. It is a much-needed volume that promises partly to set the record straight on the deforestation processes at work in the Amazon, but which will also cause some controversy because of the “corrective” nature of many of the findings. It has been meticulously researched and is extremely well written.’
– David Pearce, University College London, UK