CHAPTER 14
Renewable resources: fisheries and forests
One class of resources is called renewable because they tend to regrow upon use below a certain usage rate. Among these are fish and forests, the topic of this chapter.
- If renewable resources are exploited in open-access situations on ‘free’ markets, such common-pool resources (CPR) tend to be overexploited. Centralized exploitation with regulation is not the solution either, due to risks of bureaucracy, corruption and political pressure for jobs and tax revenues. Based on historical analyses and simulation experiments, a set of user principles at local-regional scale of is emerging;
- The major driving forces behind overexploitation of fish resources is the size and productivity of the resource-exploiting capital stocks which satisfies and stimulate a growing use and demand. It has led to deterioration and depletion of a majority of fisheries. Declining output from natural fisheries is increasingly complemented with aquaculture farming, raising new concerns about inefficiencies and pollution;
- Similarly, global market forces are at work to overexploit forest resources in several low-income regions. Although forested areas have stabilized in richer parts of the world, they are still declining in poorer regions. As with fish, forest resources are difficult to quantify due to their extent and diversity. The notion of forest transition is proposed to describe, first, growing deforestation rates due to growing population and economic activity and, secondly, the advent of counterforces start to operate and regeneration and reforestation exceed clearance;
- A variety of scientific models are developed to support policy-making, with modest success. Agent-based models (ABM) can improve model performance and relevance. Sustainable exploitation policies and strategies involve establishment of rights and quota, abolishing fuel and other subsidies, inclusion of other ecosystem services and strengthening local communities. Multiple experiments are taking place and stakeholders and citizens are engaged with help of interactive simulation gaming and participatory
Test your understanding of this chapter by reviewing the study questions below.
All Materials Relevant to this Chapter
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