Demograficzne uwarunkowania deforestacji ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem Brazylii

Abstract

Human pressure exerted on forest ecosystems is a problem which requires permanent monitoring. In order to improve the effectiveness of monitoring, it is crucial to focus on areas where important changes, whether demographic or in forest ecosystems, are either already occurring or may occur. In the study, it has been assumed that the rate of demographic changes influences the dynamics of deforestation. Variables describing changes in total population number, urban population number and average annual changes in the share of forest area have been analyzed. The area of study has been set by the borders of the analyzed countries. Additionally, using Brazil as an example, relationships between population distribution and the rate of deforestation in smaller scale have been analyzed. In the paper, it has been proved that the process of deforestation is connected with the pace of demographic change. Fast demographic changes and the growth of population are accompanied by a low participation of forest areas and high dynamics of deforestation. However, there are additional factors which should be considered as well.