TY - JOUR
T1 - Development and conservation in the tropical forest frontier: a 50-year analysis of policy evolution and interplay in Marqués de Comillas, Chiapas, México
AU - Izquierdo-Tort, Santiago
AU - Carabias, Julia
AU - López, Allan
AU - Meli, Paula
AU - Corbera, Esteve
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Oxford Department of International Development.
PY - 2024/11/12
Y1 - 2024/11/12
N2 - Tropical forests are vital for global biodiversity and climate stability, but the political economy of deforestation and land-use change constantly challenges their integrity. In this article, we analyse 50 years of policy development in the municipality Marqués de Comillas, located in Selva Lacandona, Chiapas, Mexico, to understand how development and conservation priorities have evolved, interacted, and shaped land-use in a tropical forest frontier. By analysing peer-reviewed literature and empirical data, we identify five phases of policy continuity and change that have produced diverse socio-environmental outcomes. We reveal a persistent state-led prioritisation of rural development over environmental concerns, pursued through policies promoting settlements and agricultural expansion and exacerbated by external market forces. This focus has caused substantial ecosystem degradation and deforestation without significant livelihood improvements. Recent conservation initiatives, such as payment for ecosystem services, show potential for challenging the status quo by offering alternative livelihood opportunities benefiting both people and ecosystems.
AB - Tropical forests are vital for global biodiversity and climate stability, but the political economy of deforestation and land-use change constantly challenges their integrity. In this article, we analyse 50 years of policy development in the municipality Marqués de Comillas, located in Selva Lacandona, Chiapas, Mexico, to understand how development and conservation priorities have evolved, interacted, and shaped land-use in a tropical forest frontier. By analysing peer-reviewed literature and empirical data, we identify five phases of policy continuity and change that have produced diverse socio-environmental outcomes. We reveal a persistent state-led prioritisation of rural development over environmental concerns, pursued through policies promoting settlements and agricultural expansion and exacerbated by external market forces. This focus has caused substantial ecosystem degradation and deforestation without significant livelihood improvements. Recent conservation initiatives, such as payment for ecosystem services, show potential for challenging the status quo by offering alternative livelihood opportunities benefiting both people and ecosystems.
KW - Conservation policy
KW - Marqués de Comillas
KW - Selva Lacandona
KW - environmental governance
KW - rural development
KW - tropical agricultural frontier
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85209651866&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/41ca57a5-8ffb-3086-8a0b-027dc63b80e9/
U2 - 10.1080/13600818.2024.2424224
DO - 10.1080/13600818.2024.2424224
M3 - Article
SN - 0264-5491
VL - 52
SP - 429
EP - 448
JO - Oxford Development Studies
JF - Oxford Development Studies
IS - 4
ER -