Deforestation and cattle production in the Ozark mountains of Arkansas: the case of Searcy County.

摘要

The Ozark mountains region of north central Arkansas, USA, has historically been a marginal economic area. In order to put into perspective the nature of the relationship between the people of the region and how they have utilized the natural environment in response to changing economic conditions, the paper begins with a brief overview of the economic history of the study region, Searcy County. Although still one of the poorest regions in the USA, the area is experiencing increased income levels from low wage manufacturing, tourism associated with the Buffalo National River, and increased cattle production. The paper examines the development of the cattle industry and the reasons for its increasing importance in recent years. In particular it seeks to understand the responses of local ranchers and farmers to changing macroeconomic conditions and the reasons why they have chosen to increase cattle production with resulting conversion of significant amounts of forested lands to pasture. The environmental consequences of this deforestation are then examined as well as the impacts this process has had on the nearby Buffalo National River. The underlying conflict between increases in pasture land and cattle production, the impact on tourism and thenatural environment, and what this means for the economic future of the county are examined. It is concluded that current practices may be unsustainable in the long run from both an economic and environmental perspective.