Strategies must be adapted to their landscape
The model of paying off farmers with the supposed opportunity cost of expanding is not a long term goal, and studies show that investing in intensification does not curb expansion. Thus, working with farmers on agricultural development strategies to maintain forests is the best long term option for REDD+ projects. Policy should be adapted depending on the case to determine where the true drivers of deforestation are, whether inside the forest, in the buffer, outside the forest, or far away in a market or political center.
Land rights are also important
Land use rights for forests and farmers are an important and complicated issue due to the interplay and number of scenarios that could affect land rights. Finding a balance that allows both agriculture and forestry to grow is imperative for ensuring that REDD+ projects are successful. Often too much forest protection increases emissions due to agricultural intensification caused by increased soil tillage or fallow elimination.
Success requires collaboration and integration
The paper has 5 policy recommendations it makes for REDD+ programs which looks to a landscape approach for success. REDD+ programs are meant work in a variety of manners, but need to be able to be adapted so they can fit the types of agriculture practiced next to the forest, the land user, and also the long-term agricultural drivers of land use change. Detailed spatial analysis is required to understand where in the landscapes carbon mitigation will have the greatest effects. Landscaped development and intersectoral policies are important to make REDD+ shift agribusiness and farmers’ organization away from mitigation and towards adaptation.
