Drivers of Deforestation in the Miombo Woodlands and Their Impacts on the Environment

Abstract

One fundamental concern of decision-makers is focused on the need to foster sustainable economic development. In order to achieve this, there arises a need to engage in comprehensive development planning. The basic aim of development plans is to reduce the risk and uncertainty inherent in economic activity by making a range of projections about the future. This is especially important in the Miombo woodlands (Northern Zambia) where a causal combination of poverty and resource depletion translates into an urgent need of sustainable development planning. Unfortunately, very little has been done to analyze the likely future environmental and social impacts in this economy. Therefore, the overall purpose of this research is to unravel and contribute meaningful information to decision-making processes. This paper addressed the research question about the drivers of deforestation in the Miombo woodlands and their environmental and social impacts by a quantitative research approach. Based on percentage of forest cover and the rate of forest area change, a study area was picked and questionnaires were administered. Results show that 45,000 kilometer squared of forests have been lost to unsustainable agro practices. Further, data collected from 300 farmers shows that the major controls of deforestation in Northern Zambia are lack of farmer support services and population growth. These results can be taken into consideration by decision-makers to avert the losses associated with deforestation.