The value of tropical forest to local communities: complications, caveats, and cautions

Sheil, D. & Wunder, S . (2003)

In: Conservation Ecology (online journal) 6(2):22p. http://www.consecol.org/vol6/iss2/art9.

The methods used to value tropical forests have the potential to influence how policy makers and others perceive forestlands. A small number of valuation studies achieve real impact. These are generally succinct accounts supporting a specific perception. However, such reports risk being used to justify inappropriate actions. The end users of such results are rarely those who produced them, and misunderstanding of key details is a concern. One defense is to ensure that the ultimate users better appreciate shortcomings and common pitfalls. In this article, the authors aim to reduce such risks by discussing how valuation studies should be assessed and challenged by users. The authors consider two concise, high profile valuation papers here, by Peters and colleagues and by Godoy and colleagues. They illustrate a series of questions that should be asked, not only about the two papers, but also about any landscape valuation study.

The article highlights the many challenges faced in valuing tropical forestlands and in presenting and using results sensibly, and it offers some suggestions for improvement. Attention to complexities and clarity about uncertainties are required. Forest valuation must be pursued and promoted with caution.

Download PDF : Sheil_and_Wunder.pdf (307 Kb)