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Validity of Self-Reports to Measure Deforestation: Evidence from the Bolivian Lowlands

Brandeis University

Victoria Reyes-García

University of Florida

Ricardo Godoy

Brandeis University

Luke Williams

University of Florida

Lilian Apaza

Universidad Mayor de San Andrés

Elizabeth Byron

University of Florida

Tomás Huanca

Beni, Bolivia

William R. Leonard

Northwestern University

Eddy Pérez

Universidad Mayor de San Andrés

David Wilkie

Wildlife Conservation Society

To assess rates of deforestation, researchers typically use questionnaires. But do questionnaires provide accurate information about the extent of forest clearance by households? In this article, the authors provide data on the amount of deforestation in a Tsimane' Amerindian village (Bolivia) and assess informant error by cross-checking three different assessments: (1) a direct physical measure by a research team of each plot cleared from the forest, (2)an estimate by the household head of the entire area cleared by his household during the year before the interview, and (3)an estimate by the plot owners of the area cleared of each plot he owns. Results show a high correlation between direct measures and estimates of areas provided by informants; plot owners provided more accurate information than heads of households. Results suggest that asking Amerindians about the area of forest cleared will yield reliable estimates of deforestation.

Key Words: deforestation • indigenous people • informant accuracy • slash-and-burn agriculture • education • Tsimane' Amerindians • Bolivia

Field Methods, Vol. 15, No. 3, 289-304 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/1525822X03254847


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