Forest Transitions: Toward a Global Understanding of Land Use Change

This short academic paper provides an introduction to forest transitions, which occur when depleted forest ecosystems are allowed to slowly regenerate. The paper explores the links between economic development and changes in forest covers, and describes the contexts that can lead to increasing forested land. According to this report, changes in labor markets, such as rapid industrialization and urbanization, as well as the relative scarcity of forest products can lead to forest transitions. This is a useful background on the economic and environmental issues associated with reforestation efforts.