Driving forces of forest cover rehabilitation and implications for forest transition, environmental management and upland sustainable development in Vietnam

Khuc Van Quy (), Bao Quang Tran (), Duy Nong (), Trung H. Nguyen (), Minh-Hoang Nguyen (), Tam-Tri Le (), Hoang Khac Lich (), Patrick Meyfroidt (), Dien Pham (), Stephen J. Leisz () and Mark W. Paschke ()
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Khuc Van Quy: VNU University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University
Bao Quang Tran: Vietnam National University of Forestry
Duy Nong: The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Trung H. Nguyen: Regrow Ag
Minh-Hoang Nguyen: Phenikaa University
Tam-Tri Le: Phenikaa University
Hoang Khac Lich: VNU University of Economics and Business, Vietnam National University
Patrick Meyfroidt: UCLouvain
Dien Pham: Vietnam National University of Forestry
Stephen J. Leisz: Colorado State University
Mark W. Paschke: Colorado State University

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2025, vol. 27, issue 3, No 38, 6619-6639

Abstract: Abstract Since the 1990s, forests have changed dramatically, transitioning from net forest loss to net forest increase in Vietnam. This study aims to advance the understanding of the factors driving forest transition at local scales. We employed GIS tools and a structural regression model to quantify the areas of rehabilitated forests and their determinants at the commune scale in Dien Bien province. We found that approximately 118,000 hectares of forest were rehabilitated during 1990 and 2010. Rehabilitated forests accounted for a large share of total forest gain (i.e., above 84%), and this proportion increased from 1990 to 2010. The presence of these rehabilitated forest was associated with both biophysical and accessibility factors. While no evidence regarding the effect of smallholder land use intensity or economic development was found, we did find that forestry land tenure policies facilitate the expansion of rehabilitated forests. The findings of this study can inform the development of policies that support small scale forest transition, environmental management, and upland sustainable development in Vietnam and other countries.

Keywords: Local-scale forest transition; Socio-economic drivers; Structural regression model; Rehabilitated forests; Rural livelihood; Vietnam (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-04159-z

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