Tropical forest recovery and socio-economic change in El Salvador: An opportunity for the introduction of new approaches to biodiversity protection

During the last few decades El Salvador has been considered as one of the most deforested countries in Latin America. Nevertheless, recent studies have pointed out the important forest recovery process currently occurring, which is favoured by socio-political changes recently experienced in this country. The latest research on forest recovery has been done at the level of the entire country; however, socio-environmental processes at the local level have not yet been examined. This article discusses the forest regrowth process at the local level in the natural area of Cinquera during the period from 1942 to 2004. It also illustrates how the effort made by local communities becomes an opportunity for the introduction of a new approach to biodiversity protection in El Salvador.