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Cited by 554Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource ManagementForest Management and PolicyForest Ecology and Conservation

Exploring the forest--poverty link: key concepts, issues and research implications

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A., Angelsen, S., Wunder·2003·Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) eBooks
DOI 10.17528/cifor/001211
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Abstract

This paper provides a global review of the link from forests to poverty alleviation. Definitions are clarified and the key concepts and indicators related to livelihoods and policy reduction and prevention are explored--distinguishing between the analysis and the measurements of poverty. Reviewing the macro-level literature on the relationship between economic growth, inequality and poverty, the authors found that economic growth usually does trickle down to the poor and that poverty reduction without growth is in practice very difficult to achieve. The potentials and limitations of forests in regard to poverty allevition are canvassed and their possible roles as safety nets, poverty traps and pathways out of poverty are explored. The core discussion addresses how forests can contribute to poverty reduction, distinguishing three main benefit categories. Firstly, non-timber forest products serve subsistence needs, may have important gap filling or safety net functions. Secondly, timber has not traditionally been very pro-poor but the current trends of increased local ownership of natural forests, growing tree commercialisation and small scale wood processing could modify that picture. Thirdly, ecological service payments are emerging rapidly but it is uncertain how much the poor will benefit. In conclusion, this paper outlines ten promising research topics, within three broader fields: assessing current forest-based benefits to the poor; exploring emerging market opportunities; and evaluating cross-cutting institutional and extra-sectoral issues.

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  • The literature identifies three primary roles for environmental income in supporting rural livelihoods: supporting current consumption, providing safety-nets in response to shocks and gap-filling of seasonal shortfalls, and providing means to accumulate assets and a pathway out of poverty.

    “The literature identifies three primary roles for environmental income in supporting rural livelihoods: (i) supporting current consumption, (ii) providing safety-nets in response to shocks and gap-filling of seasonal shortfalls, and (iii) providing means to accumulate assets and providing a pathway out of poverty (Angelsen & Wunder, 2003).”

    From Environmental Income and Rural Livelihoods: A Global-Comparative Analysis (2014) · cites this paper as Angelsen & Wunder, 2003

    Section 4.2.2 describes forest products meeting subsistence needs, filling seasonal gaps and helping households during emergencies. Section 4.2.4 says converting forest capital into other assets can sometimes help people escape poverty, but also stresses that non-timber forest products rarely enable socioeconomic advancement. The claim presents these as three general roles of environmental income, whereas the paper discusses forest-based income and treats the pathway out of poverty as conditional. (LLM, conf=0.86)

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Authors
A., A., & S., W.
Venue
Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) eBooks
Publisher
Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)
Published
2003
DOI
10.17528/cifor/001211
OpenAlex
W1601713989
Cited by
554
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 21 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 26 · 2016: 27 · 2015: 29 · 2014: 41 · 2013: 29 · 2012: 41
FWCI
19.28
Type
book
Language
en
Open access
Licence
cc-by
Locations
  • Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) eBooks (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • CGSPace A Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Digital Library Of The Commons Repository (Indiana University) (submittedVersion)
Funders
Department for International Development
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Forest Management and Policy
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Forestry › Forest Ecology and Conservation
Keywords
poverty reduction, livelihoods, non-timber forest products, timber, social safety nets, poverty trap, economic growth and inequality

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