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Logging remains top draw in Amazon
04/10/2010
Research into the profitability of Brazilian land usage has shown that income from forestry and logging still outstrips that generated by cattle grazing and agriculture.
The figures, published by Brazil's Federal Rural University of Amazonia (UFRA), add weight to the value of investments in land used for the sustainable production of timber.
Reporting on the figures, the International Tropical Timber Organization said, however, that the figures only stand up for landowners who operate under the existing social and environmental laws.
The study was conducted on behalf of the Pará State Forest Development Institute (IDEFLOR). It found that "forest management" is commonly found to generate 22 reals ($13.03) per hectare per year, while agriculture generates 14 reals ($8.29) and cattle ranching follows far behind, generating just 6 reals ($3.55) per hectare per year.
The research does suggest, however, that under non-compliance with local laws, ranching is more profitable. This scenario - which can see land over processed and quickly exhausted - is important given the lack of governance on the deforestation frontier of the Brazilian Amazon. Even in this scenario the profitability is likely to be short-lived, however, as enterprise on the frontier has been seen to follow a 'boom-and-bust' model of quick but unsustainable profits.
The figures, published by Brazil's Federal Rural University of Amazonia (UFRA), add weight to the value of investments in land used for the sustainable production of timber.
Reporting on the figures, the International Tropical Timber Organization said, however, that the figures only stand up for landowners who operate under the existing social and environmental laws.
The study was conducted on behalf of the Pará State Forest Development Institute (IDEFLOR). It found that "forest management" is commonly found to generate 22 reals ($13.03) per hectare per year, while agriculture generates 14 reals ($8.29) and cattle ranching follows far behind, generating just 6 reals ($3.55) per hectare per year.
The research does suggest, however, that under non-compliance with local laws, ranching is more profitable. This scenario - which can see land over processed and quickly exhausted - is important given the lack of governance on the deforestation frontier of the Brazilian Amazon. Even in this scenario the profitability is likely to be short-lived, however, as enterprise on the frontier has been seen to follow a 'boom-and-bust' model of quick but unsustainable profits.
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