The Deforestation of the Amazon

By Philip Camill

Abstract

In this case study, students examine tropical deforestation in the Amazon from the perspective of three dominant stakeholders in the region: a peasant farmer, logger, and environmentalist. As part of the exercise, students perform a cost-benefit analysis of clearing a plot of tropical forest in the Amazon from the perspective of one of these stakeholder groups. Developed for a course in global change biology, this case could also be used in courses in general ecology, environmental science, environmental ethics, environmental policy, and environmental/ecological economics.

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Date Posted

12/15/1999

Overview

Objectives

Understand the political, cultural, and economic history leading to tropical deforestation in Amazonia. Understand issues facing the major stakeholders in the Amazon.
Understand the concern for such a large loss in biodiversity.
Understand the concepts of market and non-market valuation of ecosystems, benefit-cost analysis, and opportunity cost.
Perform a cost-benefit analysis of clearing a plot of tropical forest in the Amazon, from the perspective of a peasant farmer, logger, and environmentalist.
Critically evaluate economic vs. ethical valuation of ecosystems.
Appreciate the political, social, economic, and ecological complexity of tropical deforestation.
Appreciate how difficult decisions must me made in the face of limited or nonexistent data.

Keywords

Deforestation; Amazon; tropical forest; rainforest; ecosystem; biodiversity; bioprospecting; ecotourism; ecological economics; cost-benefit analysis; tropics; developing world; South America

Subject Headings

Agriculture

Botany / Plant Science

Business / Management Science

Ecology

Economics

Environmental Science

Forestry

EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

High school, Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper division

FORMAT

PDF

TOPICAL AREAS

Ethics, Policy issues, Social issues, Social justice issues

LANGUAGE

English

TYPE/METHODS

Analysis (Issues), Role-Play

Teaching Notes & Answer Key

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Answer Key

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