Where the Forest Ends

The plantations spreading over Sumatra aren’t taking up empty land. Wholesale changes in ecology that come with new plantations can affect nearby rural villages most. Living on Earth’s Mitra Taj reports from Teluk Kabung, where the arrival of the pulpwood industry has devastated the cash crop of coconuts and left villagers with little hope for the future. It’s not clear whether the new UN scheme to Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation  ? or REDD  ? designed to pay to preserve tropical forests will offer them a lifeline.