Assessing the Forest Transition Hypothesis: Are Deforestation Dynamics Different Across Continents?

Forest transition describes a land use change process where an initial period of forest cover loss is followed by a phase of recovery. Previous studies on forest transition, often limited by geographic or temporal constraints, have yielded mixed results about the plausibility of this hypothesis. This research analyzes the relationship between the Human Development Index (HDI) and deforestation rates using quantile regression method. The study encompasses 165 countries across four continents over the period 1990-2021. Our findings demonstrate that forest transition provides a plausible framework for understanding land use dynamics, with significant regional variations that elucidate current trends in forest cover changes. These results underscore the importance of considering regional contexts in forest conservation and development policies.