Final answer:
The patchy forest hypothesis suggests that forest patches in a transition zone are the result of human activities. These patches were created by local people for protection and resource use. Remote sensing data has shown that forest cover actually increased over time in these patches.
Step-by-step explanation:
Peter Rodman and Henry McHenry's patchy forest hypothesis suggests that forest patches in a transition zone can be attributed to human activities rather than deforestation. These forest patches were originally created by local people for purposes such as fire and wind protection and provided resources for consumption and use. Contrary to the commonly accepted perception, remote sensing and photo analysis have shown that forest cover actually increased over time in these patches.