Bringing our Methodological Approaches Together
Qualitative and quantitative studies of Amazonian deforestation have improved our understanding of the complex socio-enviromental drivers of land use change and the potential leverage points for reducing forest loss. However, while many scholars have called for integrating qualitative and quantitative methods in deforestation studies, this area has remained largely underexplored. In a recent article that we published in Conservation Biology, we call for an iterative, integrative approach to land use change modeling.
Based on our novel approach, we bring together theories from critical discourse analysis and land system science with methods from interdisciplinary synthesis science to develop an integrative framework for understanding the drivers of and potential solutions to deforestation across three protected areas in the region: Jamanxim National Forest (Brazil), Tambopata and Bahuaja-Sonene National Parks (Peru), and Amboró and Carrasco National Parks (Bolivia). Our methodology iteratively combines remote sensing, land use change modeling using R, and critical discourse analysis of documents from state, NGO, and other stakeholders regarding the drivers and solutions of deforestation in our three case study sites to provide novel and salient insights into deforestation dynamics. We believe that our integrated methodology enables a better understanding of land use change dynamics, with implications for management and policies designed to reduce forest loss. We also reflect on the benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary land use change studies.
Based on our novel approach, we bring together theories from critical discourse analysis and land system science with methods from interdisciplinary synthesis science to develop an integrative framework for understanding the drivers of and potential solutions to deforestation across three protected areas in the region: Jamanxim National Forest (Brazil), Tambopata and Bahuaja-Sonene National Parks (Peru), and Amboró and Carrasco National Parks (Bolivia). Our methodology iteratively combines remote sensing, land use change modeling using R, and critical discourse analysis of documents from state, NGO, and other stakeholders regarding the drivers and solutions of deforestation in our three case study sites to provide novel and salient insights into deforestation dynamics. We believe that our integrated methodology enables a better understanding of land use change dynamics, with implications for management and policies designed to reduce forest loss. We also reflect on the benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary land use change studies.