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Analysis on the Causes of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Liberia: Application of the DPSIR Framework

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Author Affiliations

  • 1UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse Study, Tongji University, Siping Rd 1239, Shanghai, 200092, CHINA
  • 2UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse Study, Tongji University, Siping Rd 1239, Shanghai, 200092, CHINA
  • 3UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse Study, Tongji University, Siping Rd 1239, Shanghai, 200092, CHINA
  • 4UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse Study, Tongji University, Siping Rd 1239, Shanghai, 200092, CHINA
  • 5UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development, State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse Study, Tongji University, Siping Rd 1239, Shanghai, 200092, CHINA

Res. J. Agriculture & Forestry Sci., Volume 2, Issue (3), Pages 20-30, March,8 (2014)

Abstract

The world's forests are of great importance in many aspects. They provide many functions and services that support livelihoods and ecosystem processes. However, deforestation and forest degradation (D&FD) have continued to be a major global environmental problems as vast areas of forest cover are lost on a daily basis. This paper reviews and analyzes the trends in forest cover and the causes of D&FD in Liberia from a period of 1990 to 2010.A thorough review of relevant and existing literatures about the study was done. Additionally, field observations were constantly carried out during the study in different forested areas in Liberia. Primary and secondary data from reputable international and national institutions were collected and analyzed. Furthermore, data and information on all the different elements in the Driver-Pressures-State-Impacts-Responses (DPSIR) analytical framework were also collected. Analysis was done using this framework, based on the identified causes of D&FD. It is evident from our results that Liberia is gradually experiencing loss of forest cover as a consequence of anthropogenic drivers of D&FD which include but not restricted to shifting cultivation, unsustainable logging practices, mining activities, population growth.

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