Shifts in Population Distributions Leading to Net Reforestation in China and Turkey

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Presenter(s)(s)

Chase Glick

Abstract or Description

Over the last several decades, the impacts of industrialization and population growth on the environment have brought deforestation to the forefront of ecological concerns. Previous research has provided evidence that deforestation is more likely to occur in countries with lower socioeconomic development; however, contrary to these findings, net reforestation has been observed in developing countries with significant shifts in population distributions. Therefore, we investigated whether socioeconomic development status is truly indicative of changes in forest coverage (1), and if population distribution provides a more accurate measure of net reforestation (2). To accomplish this, correlation tests between shifts in population distributions and net reforestation rates were conducted at a provincial scale for China (developing) and Turkey (developed). We found that socioeconomic development status is not representative of forest cover change. Furthermore, our research provides evidence that both countries have strong correlations with net reforestation and changes in population distribution. Going forward, forestry agencies must consider shifts in population distributions and its effect on forest regrowth to better implement afforestation strategies.

Mentor

Anping Chen