Despite implications for both humans and the environment, a scant body
of research examines fertility in forest frontiers. This study examines the fertility–
environment association using empirical data from Ecuadorian Amazon between
1980 and 1999. Fertility dramatically declined during this period, and our empirical
models suggest that households’ relationship to land partially explains this decline.
Controlling for known fertility determinants such as age and education, women in
households lacking land titles experienced a 27 % higher birth rate than did women
in households with land titles. This suggests insecure land tenure was associated
with higher fertility. Furthermore, each additional hectare of new pasture was
associated with a 16 % higher birth rate, suggesting the potential role of a more
stable and lucrative income source in supporting additional births. Findings from
this research can help inform strategic policies to address sustainable development
in frontier environments.