Studies in forestry have predominantly focused on the degradation of forests, with significant policy attention across the global and national levels. Despite reported increases in deforestation in tropical forests (Wimberly et al. 2022) , there is scattered evidence of forest resurgence around the world (Chazdon et al. 2020) . Yet, there are limited empirical studies to explain the governance factors influencing such forms of transition. This is particularly important for forest patches which are inextricably linked to the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities, albeit remain unprotected by state legal frameworks. Identifying and synthesizing the types of governance arrangements that cause forest persistence and re-emergence will inform global and national efforts in combating
deforestation, contribute to the sustainable management of forests, and improve the livelihoods of people. Against this background, this research sought to answer the following questions: What recurrent typologies of governance arrangements influence forest persistence, and re-emergence in tropical forest regions? What are the impact pathways associated with the governance arrangements? What sustainability outcomes emerge from such forest governance practice?
This study adopted a systematic literature review (SLR) process based on the guidelines provided by the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence (CEE) ( Xiao and Watson, 2019) . It covered literature that was indexed in the databases: Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. Preliminary findings (from 17 cases reviewed) suggest two major forms of governance which influence forest persistence and re-emergence: community self-organized governance and collaborative governance arrangements. These forms of governance organize various governance functions – collective action, conflict resolution, benefit-sharing regulations, monitoring, and enforcement – to achieve sustainability outcomes. Socio-cultural norms and cultural revitalization, forest commercialization or markets, official recognition and agreements were important impact pathways for forest persistence and re-emergence. A model-centered meta-analysis (Oberlack et al.2016) will be applied in the next stage of the SLR to model patterns of governance types, impact pathways and outcomes after full text reading and coding of all retrieved articles.
- Several tribal settlements are spread across Bangladesh’s Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region, each with its own communally managed forest that residents can use.
- But the unchecked exploitation of the once-rich forests, a consequence of population growth, has led to local water holes drying up, forcing many residents to leave the villages.
- The Democratic Republic of Congo is putting 16 oil exploration blocks up for auction, including nine in the peatlands of the Cuvette Centrale.
- Environmentalists warn that oil exploration and infrastructure for production could release huge amounts of carbon stored in the peatland and threaten the rights of local communities.
CIFOR Brochure 7526
International standards can help businesses fill gaps in national law but addressing issues at scale requires systematic governance reform. Law is part of the problem as often are governments. In many countries features of the law facilitate dispossession. It is often not technical capacity that is missing but the political power to confront vested interests. The challenges are steep but need to be confronted.
In 2019, Norway committed to pay $150 million to Gabon to protect its forests under the Central African Forest Initiative (CAFI).