RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Economic Shocks, Diversification, and Forest Use in Uganda
JF Land Economics
JO Land Econ
FD University of Wisconsin Press
SP 139
OP 154
DO 10.3368/le.88.1.139
VO 88
IS 1
A1 Debela, Bethelhem
A1 Shively, Gerald
A1 Angelsen, Arild
A1 Wik, Mette
YR 2012
UL http://le.uwpress.org/content/88/1/139.abstract
AB We investigate household outcomes arising from economic shocks in rural Uganda, focusing on patterns of income diversification and forest use, and the role of assets in shaping ex post response to shocks. Income-poor households and those with below-average landholdings are observed to have more diversified income portfolios than their cohorts. Households encountering above-average losses tend to have more diversified income portfolios subsequent to the losses. Larger negative shocks are associated with greater use of the forest in subsequent periods, especially among asset-poor households. Findings suggest that development of better safety nets would reduce both vulnerability and forest pressure. (JEL O12, Q23)