A System Dynamics Examination of the Willingness of Villagers to Engage in Illegal Logging

I use a system dynamics simulation to explore Indonesian villagers’ motivations to engage in illegal logging, including the need for income, the fact that other villagers and non-villagers are already illegally logging, and the realization of loss of community control over traditional forest areas. The model serves as a tool for understanding the consequences of various proposed strategies to control illegal logging including enforcement of laws, strengthening of community rights, the prevention of outside labor in local forests, and the provision of alternate sources of income.