Firewood consumption amongst poor inhabitants in a semiarid tropical forest: A case study from Piura, northern Peru

Abstract

Semiarid forests are disappearing on a large scale and are considered to be the most endangered ecosystems in the lowland tropics. The deforestation rate in Peru is among the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean. Poor people are often more dependent on forest resources than those who are well off. However, little is known about poor people's use of forest resources or the effect of logging in semiarid forests. The article deals with household energy use and the source of firewood (bought or collected, either locally or over some distance) in two semiarid forests in Piura, northern Peru. The most used tree species and the vulnerability of the species are also examined in order to understand deforestation. Peru has introduced regulations on the use of forest resources and the article focuses on how these regulations are locally understood. The methodology includes questionnaires, recording local household practices, and in-depth interviews with local informants and both governmental and non-governmental organizations. The daily wood consumption rates per person were measured. The findings reveal that household economy is not the only factor affecting daily firewood consumption rate, but also climate, ecology, access to firewood, and traditions are contributing factors.