ABSTRACT
This chapter examines rural decline processes in their relation with forest resources and correspondent policies as observed in the developed world. Rural decline is a symmetric process following urbanization, which has received much less attention. Spain is identified as an interesting country as it has suffered important rural decline along the past century, while its forest resources expanded considerably. The chapter deals with a review of the past and forecast rural population globally as well as in the different regions, followed by a review of the Spanish situation in terms of rural population decline and forest area enlargement. It explores a detailed research at district level analyzing in detail the shifts between the different land uses and vegetation cover. The chapter presents the challenges for declining rural societies and proposals how to face them including further research priorities.
