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Abstract:
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"In this paper, we investigate relationships between forest condition on the one hand and environmental variables, on the other. By using ecological and institutional theory within the context of the IAD framework, we construct a model that will facilitate our inquiry. We focus our study on the tropical moist forests of Mpigi District in Uganda where the uniformity of bedrock, microclimate, and forest vegetation as well as the diversity of forest tenure regimes combine to make it a particularly good area for investigating institutional effects on forest, structure. We anticipate that,- given the homogeneity of the biophysical environment within the area of study, any variation in forest structure as represented by DBH1 is likely the influence of institutional factors. Our first set of institutional factors divides the forests into four tenure regimes: governmentowned nature reserves; govemment-owned production forests; communally owned forests; and individually owned forests. With regard to tenure regimes, we anticipate that forest condition will be better (i.e., trees will be larger, and have larger diameters) where tenure regimes are either private or communal. Under private and communal tenure, forest ownership is not ambiguous, and incentive structures are. clearly defined."
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