Dissertation Research: The Political Ecology and Ethnic Dimensions of Communal Forest Management

森林退化是困扰洪都拉斯和拉丁美洲大部分地区的最严重的环境问题之一。尽管洪都拉斯的一个地区出现了大量的森林砍伐，但当地的伦卡印第安人显然很好地管理着他们的公共森林。一项新的农业法和最近在该地区建立的国家公园将影响这些林地的未来。这些事件似乎与伦卡族身份的复苏以及社区成员通过政治组织获得公有森林所有权的努力有关。该项目将调查公共森林是如何管理的，以及种族认同的复苏如何帮助伦卡人维持公共森林土地。该研究将重点关注共同户主、社区领袖、基层组织成员、政府官员和发展专业人员。由此产生的博士论文将增加我们对公共森林管理以及可以减少森林生态系统退化的社会、民族和政治进程的了解。研究结果还将有助于规划政策，以促进洪都拉斯和其他拉丁美洲国家森林的可持续管理。

Forest degradation is one of the most serious environmental problems afflicting Honduras and much of Latin America. Despite considerable deforestation in one region of Honduras local Lenca Indians have apparently managed their communal forests well. A new agrarian law and a recently created a national park in the area that will influence the future of these woodlands. These events appear related to a resurgence in Lenca ethnic identity and community members' efforts to gain title to their communal forests by organizing politically. This project will investigate how communal forests are being managed and how a resurgence in ethnic identity help the Lenca to maintain communal forest lands. The research will focus on co-heads of households, community leaders, grassroots organization members, government officials, and development professionals. The resulting doctoral dissertation will increase our knowledge of communal forest management and the social, ethnic, and political processes which can reduce the degradation of forest ecosystems. The research findings will also assist in planning policy to promote sustainable management of forests in Honduras and other Latin American nations.