Spatial Analysis of Deforestation from Biofuels: Methodological Challenges

In this paper, we look for the spatial relations between deforestation and biofuel production at global level by analyzing available global deforestation and biofuels data, and find that, for a variety of reasons relating to data availability and its characteristics, and the way biofuels are produced, at the global level, this is extremely difficult if not virtually impossible. We argue that a multi-scale approach, based on systematic sampling at the case study level would help to better understand the relation between biofuels and deforestation. Given the fact the biofuels are a highly contested approach to reduction of global carbon emissions, clarity on the methodological difficulties of making statements of this kind, at least in a global spatial analysis, may help avoid false conclusions being promulgated in the future. * Corresponding author.