Future governance options for large-scale land acquisition in Cambodia: Impacts on tree cover and tiger landscapes

TitleFuture governance options for large-scale land acquisition in Cambodia: Impacts on tree cover and tiger landscapes
Annotated RecordNot Annotated
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsDebonne N, van Vliet J, Verburg P
Secondary TitleEnvironmental Science and Policy
Volume94
Pagination9-19
PublisherElsevier
Key themesEnvironment, FDI, Policy-law
Abstract

This paper investigates how large-scale land acquisitions (LSLAs) can be governed to avoid underuse and thereby spare room for other land claims, specifically nature conservation. LSLA underuse occurs when land in LSLAs is not converted to its intended use. Taking Cambodia as a case, we map converted and unconverted areas within LSLAs using remote sensing. We develop three scenarios of alternative LSLA policies until 2040, and use a land system change model to evaluate how governing the underuse of LSLAs affects overall land use. Specifically, we evaluate the impact of these policies on future tree cover, the size and spatial integrity of natural areas, and the potential these natural areas can offer to meet the conservation target of a successful tiger reintroduction. In 2015, only 32% of LSLA area was converted. Simulations suggest that both interventionist (reclaim unconverted areas) and preventive (avoid non-conversion) policies dramatically reduce underuse. Interventionist policies perform best in limiting tree cover loss and in preserving natural areas, but preventive measures lead to significantly less fragmentation. Noninterventionist policies (no enforced policies) make tiger reintroduction in the Eastern Plains impossible. Preventive policies with well-enforced protected areas succeed in creating the largest potential for tiger reintroduction. Our results suggest that Cambodia can reconcile LSLAs with tiger reintroduction in the Eastern Plains only when using preventive land use policies. In the absence of such policies, tiger survival in the Eastern Plains is unlikely and only the Cardamom or Virachey forest may offer such potential.

URLhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1462901118306300
Availability

Available for download

Countries

Cambodia

Document Type

Journal Article