ABSTRACT
Introduction Deforestation is considered the second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC, 2007) and is expected to remain a major emission source. The deforestation issue has been at the centre of the international environmental debate for two decades. Yet, despite a large number of studies, commitments, initiatives and strategy papers on the issue, deforestation continues at a rate of about 13 million ha per year (FAO, 2006). Apart from the loss of carbon, deforestation typically is associated with inter alia loss of biodiversity, disturbed water regulation and the destruction of livelihoods for many of the world’s poorest people (Williams, 2003).
