Social capital and landscape: effects of monoculture forest plantations on small producers in the Mediterranean dryland of south-central Chile

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis research focuses on the socio-ecological context of small farmers in the Mediterranean dryland region of south-central Chile or Secano Interior. This area has been characterised by a long history of natural resource exploitation, especially soil and native vegetation, and the arrival and rapid expansion of monoculture forest plantations resulting in serious environmental degradation issues. Using a mixed methods approach including social network surveys, semi-structured interviews, and geospatial data, this article compares social capital indicators and socio-ecological interactions for rural households with different levels of encroachment due to forest plantations. The research objective is to contrast diverse socio-environmental scenarios with different levels of dispersion and proximity to forest plantations. Findings on local egocentric networks propose clues about the social effects of traditional agriculture loss, rural depopulation and other socio-economic and ecological issues which respondents associated with the introduction and expansion of monoculture plantations in the region.