The Amazon rainforest is famous for its size, immense biological and social diversity, important ecological services provided, and, unfortunately, for the advance of its destruction through the unsustainable exploitation of its natural resources and the rapid conversion of forests into non-forest ecosystems. Mistaken models of regional development, based on the indiscriminate use of the region's natural resources and land, have not contributed to improving the quality of life of the local population so far. Besides, the negative environmental consequences impact the climate beyond the Amazonian borders and are felt at the global scale. With 20% of the Amazon rainforest deforested and the worsening of global warming, the forest is approaching its tipping point, where the processes of silanization and cycles of impoverishment will make recovery impossible. An urgent reaction is needed. A peacemaking solution may lie in identifying and using synergies between environment and economy, and managing trade-offs.
In the last two decades, many advances for the conservation of the Amazon have been achieved through a better understanding of land-use change impacts, the creation of protected areas, the strengthening of social inclusion and land rights, the elaboration of forest policies and non-state market-driven governance, and advances in mapping and monitoring technology. However, advances have not been translated into positive changes in the sustainable development paradigm for a region with a forestry vocation. How do we conserve vast expanses of forests and at the same time bring development to the resident population and the nations that shelter the Amazon rainforest, and still contribute to national and international forest-based bioeconomy? What is the practical contribution of national and international policies and markets, transnational efforts towards deforestation-free and sustainable supply chains, territorial planning, national and international trade systems, international cooperation, and sustainable development strategies towards positive policy and behavioral change for the conservation and development of the Amazon region? This Research Topic will discuss these issues based on scientific knowledge and eminently practical propositions from authors, based on the accumulation of experience with key themes, which may guide decision making in the near future.
This Research Topic will welcome manuscripts that are clearly propositional in terms of strategies that enable the development and conservation of the Amazon region. The propositions must be preceded by a brief contextualization about the knowledge on key themes within the scope listed below using one of the Frontiers’ short article formats, such as Opinions, Mini Reviews, Perspectives, and Policy Briefs. A limited number of key themes will narrow contributions to different schools of thought within the Research Topic, allowing the readers to focus on the diversity of ideas, controversies, gaps, and possibilities.
Specific themes:
• Amazon forest governance and development policies
• Amazon territorial planning, land tenure, and land rights
• Interactions between international trade policy and Amazon sustainable development
The Amazon rainforest is famous for its size, immense biological and social diversity, important ecological services provided, and, unfortunately, for the advance of its destruction through the unsustainable exploitation of its natural resources and the rapid conversion of forests into non-forest ecosystems. Mistaken models of regional development, based on the indiscriminate use of the region's natural resources and land, have not contributed to improving the quality of life of the local population so far. Besides, the negative environmental consequences impact the climate beyond the Amazonian borders and are felt at the global scale. With 20% of the Amazon rainforest deforested and the worsening of global warming, the forest is approaching its tipping point, where the processes of silanization and cycles of impoverishment will make recovery impossible. An urgent reaction is needed. A peacemaking solution may lie in identifying and using synergies between environment and economy, and managing trade-offs.
In the last two decades, many advances for the conservation of the Amazon have been achieved through a better understanding of land-use change impacts, the creation of protected areas, the strengthening of social inclusion and land rights, the elaboration of forest policies and non-state market-driven governance, and advances in mapping and monitoring technology. However, advances have not been translated into positive changes in the sustainable development paradigm for a region with a forestry vocation. How do we conserve vast expanses of forests and at the same time bring development to the resident population and the nations that shelter the Amazon rainforest, and still contribute to national and international forest-based bioeconomy? What is the practical contribution of national and international policies and markets, transnational efforts towards deforestation-free and sustainable supply chains, territorial planning, national and international trade systems, international cooperation, and sustainable development strategies towards positive policy and behavioral change for the conservation and development of the Amazon region? This Research Topic will discuss these issues based on scientific knowledge and eminently practical propositions from authors, based on the accumulation of experience with key themes, which may guide decision making in the near future.
This Research Topic will welcome manuscripts that are clearly propositional in terms of strategies that enable the development and conservation of the Amazon region. The propositions must be preceded by a brief contextualization about the knowledge on key themes within the scope listed below using one of the Frontiers’ short article formats, such as Opinions, Mini Reviews, Perspectives, and Policy Briefs. A limited number of key themes will narrow contributions to different schools of thought within the Research Topic, allowing the readers to focus on the diversity of ideas, controversies, gaps, and possibilities.
Specific themes:
• Amazon forest governance and development policies
• Amazon territorial planning, land tenure, and land rights
• Interactions between international trade policy and Amazon sustainable development
