The Deforestation of the Amazon
A Case Study in Understanding Ecosystems and Their Value
Author(s)
http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/collection/detail.html?case_id=318&id=318Department of Biology
Bowdoin College
pcamill@bowdoin.edu
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.
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 AmericaEducational Level
High school, Undergraduate lower division, Undergraduate upper divisionFormat
PDFType Methods
Analysis (Issues), Role-PlayLanguage
EnglishSubject Headings
Environmental Science Ecology Economics Business / Management Science Forestry Botany / Plant Science Agriculture
Date Posted
12/15/99Teaching Notes
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