Abstract
Vietnam has seemingly been able to shortcut the forest transition (FT) by quickly moving to the reforestation phase. Provincial-level forest cover and socio-economic trends are, however, not necessarily compatible with a standard FT framework. This article compares forest cover change and associated policy reforms in two provinces. Bac Kan is one of the poorest provinces in Vietnam, and has, after years of deforestation and forest degradation, expanded its forest cover during the past two decades. In contrast, Lam Dong province has higher GDP and population density, but has had high deforestation linked to expansion of perennial crops. This is contrary to what could be expected from a conventional FT hypothesis. Land use dynamics in Vietnam is heavily driven by its historical heritage related to the independence from French rule and heavy state-control and collectivization, and its more recent shift to “market-led socialism” (doi moi), involving export promotion, decentralization and land tenure reforms. The Vietnam experience shows that policies can trump the typical FT patterns linked to general development trends and structural changes, and that the typical FT-trajectory is not unavoidable. Yet, these policies have not primarily been guided by forest concerns, but should be viewed as a side effect of the doi moi policies pursuing economic growth and of the devolution of rights and decision-making.
Highlights
The forest transition (FT) describes a development over time where an initially stable forest cover first declines sharply before it stabilizes and slowly recovers [1]
The article is inspired by the FT policy approach framework of Angelsen and Rudel [6], who focus on how the FT can be used as a guiding framework for developing appropriate policies to reduce deforestation and forest degradation in contexts that are in different stages of the FT
Throughout the paper, we explore to what extent the observed changes fit into the FT theory’s predictions
Summary
The forest transition (FT) describes a development over time where an initially stable forest cover first declines sharply before it stabilizes and slowly recovers [1]. The article contributes to the FT literature by addressing these questions, first by reviewing the literature on structural and policy drivers, and by contrasting of forest cover change and its drivers at sub-national scales, the latter rarely done in the FT literature It represents a practical application of conceptual outlines of the policy implications of the FT approach, as developed by, inter alia, Angelsen and Rudel [6]. The empirical strategy, mirrored in the outline of the article, is as follows: Section 2 outlines the conceptual framework of the study, focusing on the underlying theoretical FT perspectives This part summarizes the literature on: (1) structural changes, (2) general policies, and (3) sector-specific policies that can drive the FT, i.e., move towards the reforestation phase.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
