Abstract
This paper examines possible relationships between demographic processes and the environment in rural areas in developing countries. Evidence is reviewed on increasing degradation in the forms of deforestation (of highland forests as well as lowland forests), soil erosion and soil desiccation. The conceptual framework considers changes in demographics as well as economic behaviour being induced by population growth and increasing pressures upon the land, but the focus here is on economic changes in the form of land extensification—often involving internal migration—and land intenstification. Despite data problems, the expected relationships are observed: countries with higher rural population growth tend to have larger increases in the arable land area and associated deforestation, but the intensification effects appear stronger. The paper concludes with implications for policy and further research.
Résumé
Cet article examine les relations possibles qui existent entre les processus démographiques et l'environnement, dans des pays en développement. Il est fait état de l'évidence de dégradations croissantes sous forme de déterioration des forêts, tant dans les hautes terres que dans les basses terres, d'érosion et de dessication du sol. Le cadre conceptuel considère les changements de conduites, aussi bien démographiques qu'économiques, comme étant induits par l'augmentation de la population et les pressions croissantes sur la terre. Cependant on insiste ici sur les changements économiques sous la forme de l'extension des terres cultivables, impliquant souvent des migrations internes, et de l'intensification des cultures. En dépit de problèmes soulevés par les données existantes, les relations attendues sont observées : les pays où l'on observe la plus importante croissance de population rurale tendent à avoir de plus fortes extensions dans les terres cultivables et des détériorations des forêts qui leur sont associées, mais les effets de l'intensification des cultures apparaissent encore plus importantes. L'article conclut sur les implications politiques et sur les recherches à développer dans ce domaine.
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Bilsborrow, R.E. Population growth, internal migration, and environmental degradation in rural areas of developing countries. Eur J Population 8, 125–148 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01797549
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01797549