Institutional Factors and Forest Degradation in Most Fragile States: A Review with Particular Emphasis on Somalia

Forest degradation led by human activities has diminished the capacity of the forest to deliver goods and services, making it less productive and resilient. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine the influence of institutional factors on forest degradation in the most fragile states, with a particular emphasis on Somalia. Specifically, the paper examined the influence of land tenure insecurity, lack of environmental policy and law enforcement, and weak governance on forest degradation in Somalia. The methodology used for this paper was a systematic literature review, where information on forest degradation and factors contributing to the forest degradation in North America, South America, South Asia, and Africa was utilized through journals and institutional publications. Based on the literature reviewed, the forest sector in Somalia has severely degraded, and the sector is rapidly depleting. The findings indicated that weak governance, land tenure insecurity, and lack of environmental policy and law enforcement are the major factors causing forest degradation in Somalia. The study also revealed that the forest degradation resulting from these institutional factors has contributed to biodiversity loss, climate change, and decline in agricultural production. To address these issues, this review study recommends that the federal government of Somalia should strengthen environmental governance bodies such as the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and the Ministry of Livestock, Forestry, and Range by building the capacity of staff, increasing funding for these institutions, and enhancing coordination among these agencies. Additionally, the government should establish national land policy, protected areas, national systems for the management and conservation of the protected areas, environmental and forest laws, and environmental law enforcement agencies to control overexploitation and illegal logging activities and reduce pressure on the country’s forests and wildlife.