deforest
ICE Case Studies
Deforestation in Haiti
CASE NUMBER: 54
MNUMONIC: HAITIDEF
NAME: DEFORESTATION IN HAITI
AUTHOR: Kristen Picariello December 18, 1997
I. CASE BACKGROUND
1. Abstract
Haiti is one of the many developing countries that has sought to increase its growth and end its cycle of poverty. One of the ways in which it has done this has been by cutting down the forests. Most of Haiti's population live below the poverty line. Nearly 70 percent of all Haitians depend on the agriculture sector, which consists mainly of small-scale subsistence farming and employs about two thirds of the economically active work force (1). However, extreme soil erosion and deforestation mean that Haiti's environment is one of the most devastated in the world. Only 30 percent of the land is suitable for cultivation, with the result that the majority of the rural poor have a desperate struggle for survival on marginal areas.
In Haiti, a substantial share of poverty is also traceable to rapid population growth pressing upon limited endowments of soils and clean water. Deforestation and population growth, coupled with years of repression and colonial intervention has caused the uprooting of hundreds of thousands of Haitians. Many of these Haitians flee Haiti and head to the United States in boats and rafts. Vast numbers of men, women and children never make it to the United States. Those who do are deported back to Haiti. A vicious cycle soon begins, with the environment and innocent Haitian people caught in the midst of it.
2. Description
Deforestation
Deforestation refers to the complete destruction of forest cover, whether this destruction is due to land-clearing for cattle ranching, small holder agriculture, (Haiti) plantation agriculture, or parking lots. Deforestation means that the land is converted permanently from forest uses to non-forest purposes. Deforestation is much more serious than forest degradation. Forest degradation may change the
Deforestation in Haiti
CASE NUMBER: 54
MNUMONIC: HAITIDEF
NAME: DEFORESTATION IN HAITI
AUTHOR: Kristen Picariello December 18, 1997
I. CASE BACKGROUND
1. Abstract
Haiti is one of the many developing countries that has sought to increase its growth and end its cycle of poverty. One of the ways in which it has done this has been by cutting down the forests. Most of Haiti's population live below the poverty line. Nearly 70 percent of all Haitians depend on the agriculture sector, which consists mainly of small-scale subsistence farming and employs about two thirds of the economically active work force (1). However, extreme soil erosion and deforestation mean that Haiti's environment is one of the most devastated in the world. Only 30 percent of the land is suitable for cultivation, with the result that the majority of the rural poor have a desperate struggle for survival on marginal areas.
In Haiti, a substantial share of poverty is also traceable to rapid population growth pressing upon limited endowments of soils and clean water. Deforestation and population growth, coupled with years of repression and colonial intervention has caused the uprooting of hundreds of thousands of Haitians. Many of these Haitians flee Haiti and head to the United States in boats and rafts. Vast numbers of men, women and children never make it to the United States. Those who do are deported back to Haiti. A vicious cycle soon begins, with the environment and innocent Haitian people caught in the midst of it.
2. Description
Deforestation
Deforestation refers to the complete destruction of forest cover, whether this destruction is due to land-clearing for cattle ranching, small holder agriculture, (Haiti) plantation agriculture, or parking lots. Deforestation means that the land is converted permanently from forest uses to non-forest purposes. Deforestation is much more serious than forest degradation. Forest degradation may change the