Contrasting Patterns of Land Use in Rondonia, Brazil: Simulating the Effects on Carbon Release
In: International social science journal: ISSJ, Volume 43, p. 681-698
ISSN: 0020-8701
The Dynamic Ecological-Land Tenure Analysis (DELTA) simulation model (Southworth, F., et al, "A Dynamic Land Tenure Analysis Model Emphasizing the Ecological Impacts of Deforestation," Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Tenn, 1991) is used to examine socioeconomic & ecological features of two types of land-use change in Rondonia, Brazil: (1) a colonist scenario with rapid land clearing & shifting tenants; & (2) a sustainable agriculture scenario with intercropping & fallow land techniques. Carbon loss & recovery over various time periods & number of families is estimated by applying the model to a set of 294 plots in the Rondonia area. The usefulness of DELTA in studying land carrying capacity & other socioeconomic characteristics is discussed. 9 Figures, 2 Photographs, 39 References. M. Malas