Community Forestry and the Politics of Agrarian Reform in the Chimalapas,Oaxaca

Abstract

This paper explores the difficulties of promoting a viable community-based management system in an isolated rural area that has little infrastructure and unstable property rights. The community of Chalchijapa comprises residents of mixed African, Indian and European descent who had originally migrated from Veracruz over ten years ago. The residents of Chalchijapa were granted the surrounding land as an ejido by the Zoque, whose communal lands it rightfully belonged to. The Zoque did this in part to stem the illegal clearance and expansion onto this forestland by ranchers from the nearby town of La Colonia. Cattle ranching is considered an investment that can easily be liquidated, and generally provides steady, low risk returns, with a relative ease of transport to markets. Cattle raising is discussed in comparison with the community-based forest management plan of Chalchijapa as an alternative to ranch development. Both are placed in the context of land use policy and the national forest policy of Mexico.     

The sustainability of selection cutting in a late successional broadleaved community forest in Bhutan

This study assessed the sustainability of selection cutting in a community forest (CF) in Bhutan. The harvesting approach differed from cable crane logging operations in an adjacent commercially managed forest by creating much smaller canopy openings. This had many implications for natural regeneration of preferred species. The study was conducted in a late successional broadleaved CF containing 32 genera of tree species dominated by Quercus and Castanopsis and managed for timber, firewood, non-wood forest products and forest grazing. The study was based on a comparison of two forest inventories to assess forest structure and regeneration, a study of stumps to quantify harvesting intensities, and a household survey to quantify livestock holdings and grazing patterns. The study examined different intensities of selection cutting in three blocks of the CF and found that higher intensities of selection cutting did not have a negative impact on: (a) natural regeneration of seedlings and saplings of preferred timber species; (b) the diameter distribution of all species and use categories except for Quercus; (c) the diversity of tree genera; and (d) the percentage of remaining trees with favorable bole shape and form. These results contrasted with findings in the adjacent commercially managed forest. Community management of broadleaved forests with selection cutting appeared to be sustainable and avoid some of the unresolved silvicultural problems associated with commercially managed forests in Bhutan. However more research is needed on the sustainable management of Quercus spp.     

Thriving or Surviving? Forester Responses to Private Forestland Parcelization in New York State

Consulting forester business practices are challenged by significant decreases in the sizes of private forest properties and the changes in landowner values that accompany forestland parcelization. Though researchers have discussed the potential ways entrepreneurial foresters could adapt to these new ownership patterns and landscape dynamics, actual responses by foresters working in parcelizing landscapes are largely undocumented. We conducted twenty in-depth interviews with foresters working in New York State to determine (1) how foresters have experienced parcelization of properties they work with, (2) what challenges are associated with forestry projects on decreasing property sizes, and (3) what kinds of changes foresters are making to adapt to decreasing property sizes. We found that foresters across the state observe decreasing sizes of forest properties and see values of forest owners shifting beyond timber production, although most do not consider these changes to be the most urgent challenges to sustainable forestry and profitable forest consulting. Professional foresters are reacting to parcelization in diverse ways; while some are trying entrepreneurial approaches to reach new clients or offer different services, others are primarily interested in maintaining their traditional practices and roles. These findings indicate that strictly relying on independent entrepreneurial responses by private foresters may not be sufficient to close the gap between the historical role of consulting foresters and the trajectory of modern forest parcels. Additional measures like specialized training and policy changes may also be required to address the management challenges associated with forestland parcelization.     

Guidelines for Managing Wildlife Habitats in Southwestern Ponderosa Pine Forests of the United States

IntroductionEcoledcalrelahonshipsanddePendenceofwildlifesPe-ciesonsouthwesternPOnderosapine(Pineponderosa)fOrestsarecloselyrelat6dtohabitatuse.Foraginghabits,seasOndfoodPreferences,anduseoftreesforfeedingarelawtydePendentuponthestrUctureandspahalar-rangme…     

Development of economic forest tree breeding objectives: review of existing methodology and discussion of its application in Swedish conditions

Abstract

Genetic selection in forest tree breeding requires multiple traits to be considered simultaneously. Based on an economic breeding objective, traits are weighted according to their economic importance to create an index used for selection. Economic breeding objectives have mainly been developed in animal breeding and have only recently been applied to forest tree breeding. A review of the general methodology highlights the decisions associated with developing economic breeding objectives and their effects. Furthermore, studies concerning economic forest tree breeding objectives provide a bulk of knowledge and practical experience for fast growing, short rotation species. We have identified and discussed challenges when applying this methodology in Swedish tree breeding. Major challenges are: (1) managing the uncertainty of future industrial uses of wood and industrial processing, originating from long rotations; (2) various issues associated with having a production system describing an entire nation; (3) the size and effects of the discount rate; (4) developing models capable of representing genetic changes in the complex and dynamic system of growing and harvesting trees. We believe that these challenges must be tackled by a joint multi-disciplinary effort, involving stakeholders and researchers in several areas (e.g. forest genetics, economics, wood engineering), to make significant progress.     

Responses of polypore fungi following disturbance-emulating harvesting treatments and deadwood creation in boreal Norway spruce dominated forests

ABSTRACT

The emulation of natural disturbances in harvesting has become a widely accepted approach to reach ecologically sustainable forest management. The purpose of this study was to examine the responses of polypore fungi (species richness and composition) on four different cutting methods (selection, gap, patch, and clear-cutting) plus uncut controls, and the creation of high stumps and cut logs in combination with harvesting. Polypores were inventoried one year before, and two and seven years after cutting. A total of 71 polypore species were found, but no red-listed species were recorded seven years after cutting. Irrespective of the treatment, the variation in polypore richness was best explained by the number of deadwood objects in the stands. Species richness per deadwood object was the highest on natural logs. Species richness per volume of spruce deadwood was the highest on small-diameter deadwood and stumps, intermediate on natural logs and lower on cut logs and high stumps. These results indicate that cut logs created in harvesting cannot compensate the loss of deadwood in cutting and energy wood harvesting. Our results demonstrate the difficulty in rapidly creating habitats for red-listed polypores in commercially managed forests.     

An alternative management regime of selection cutting for sustaining stand structure of mixed forests of northern Japan: a simulation study

In uneven-aged conifer–broadleaved mixed forests in Hokkaido, northern Japan, single-tree selection cutting has been a common management practice since the early twentieth century. This practice is expected to produce timber without major changes in stand structure or tree species composition. The demographic response of forests to this practice has often been unexpected, and degradation of stand properties has been widely observed. We propose here a sustainable management regime of selection cutting, based on an individual-based forest dynamics simulation model, SORTIE-ND. Our simulations, based on demographic data from 15 long-term monitoring stands, suggest that selection cutting using a lower cutting intensity together with a longer rotation period and reduced removal of small trees and conifer species is more appropriate than traditional systems in terms of maintaining stand structure and tree species composition, as well as being profitable financially. Supplemental regeneration practices, which can counter accidental mortality incurred during harvesting operations, would also be necessary to ensure tree recruitment.     

Mexican Forest History

Abstract

Mexican forestry science has been affected by its relationship with the Mexican state, and by the history of state forestry institutions. Conflicts between conservationists and politicians engaged in land reform resulted in loss of power for conservationists in the forest department in the 1940s. More recent political struggles for control of the forests color the interpretations which forest communities and foresters place upon forest management practices, and may lead to present day debates over specific silvicultural practices. If foresters are to apply silvicultural techniques, they need to be aware of the political experience of the landowners they work for, and the political implications of their own technical knowledge.     

Managing city forests for or in spite of recreation? Perspectives of forest managers

This paper provides insights into foresters’ perceptions of forest recreation and its management. It is based on qualitative interviews with foresters in Berlin and the region of Stuttgart, Germany (N = 16). The results highlight the lack of strategic planning concerned with recreation management at both locations. Moreover, recreation management seems to depend mostly on the local forester in charge. Foresters’ perceptions of recreation, in turn, appear to be closely linked with how they perceive their work. Three narratives of the foresters’ self-perception are constructed that address three key items: perception of foresters’ skills and tasks, perception of the societal and political context of the foresters’ work and of their own scope of action in this context, and visions for future recreation management. The first narrative emphasises classical forestry and silvicultural aspects; the second understands foresters as multifunctional service providers for communal clients; and the last criticises the classical orientation of forestry and highlights new challenges for foresters in urban areas. These three views of recreation management in urban forests relate to classical forestry culture in different ways: either embodying this culture; differentiating from it; or adopting a new view which challenges this culture. Further research needs are discussed. The paper lastly argues for increased awareness of the importance of the social dimensions of forest management as one of the crucial future challenges for the forestry profession.     

“十二五”期间年森林采伐限额编制方法与技术

森林采伐是调整森林结构、改善森林质量、增加森林总量、提高森林整体功能的关键措施。实行森林限额采伐管理是《森林法》确立的一项重要法律制度。介绍了"十二五"期间年森林采伐限额编制的原则、方法与技术,以期为森林资源采伐管理工作提供借鉴。     

Forest Utilization in Oaxaca

Abstract

Two communities, Ixtlan and Chalchijapa, located in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, are compared based on their utilization of local forests. The long-settled community of Ixtlan, with its pine-oak forests, is compared to the recently established village of Chalchijapa which is located in rain forest on the edge of the Chimalapas nature reserve. Constraints such as forest type and management, land ownership and tenure, and current and future plans for timber extraction and utilization are examined, as are methods of wood processing and milling. The degree and type of wood utilization carried out by these two timber-dependent communities is greatly reflective of the local forest type and social structure.     

城市森林经营方案编制提纲

通过对国内外城市森林建设和理论研究实践的分析,论述了城市森林经营方案编制的重要性和必要性,提出城市森林经营方案编制的指导思想、基本原则和重要内容,着重介绍了城市森林经营方案编制的几个关键技术和对策措施。       

Growth-Oriented Logging (GOL): A new concept towards sustainable forest management in Central Amazonian várzea floodplains

Against a background of increasing human populations in developing countries, and global climate change, conservation of tropical forests remains one of the most important ecological challenges of our time. One of the biggest difficulties for ecologically sustainable management of tropical forests is obtaining reliable growth data for trees, which is a prerequisite for determining harvesting volumes and cutting cycles. GOL is the first concept for sustainable management of tropical timber resources in Amazonian floodplain forests (várzea) based on species-specific management criteria, such as minimum logging diameters (MLDs) and cutting cycles. From timber species with varying wood densities of different successional stages, volume stocks have been estimated in 1-ha plots and 12 growth models have been developed based on tree rings, which are annually formed as a consequence of the regular, long-term flooding. The MLDs of timber species vary between 47 and 70 cm and the estimated cutting cycles differ the 10-fold, from 3 to 32 years. These enormous differences in the growth rates between tropical timber species are not considered in current management practices, which apply only one diameter cutting limit and one cutting cycle to harvest many tree species. This practice risks the overexploitation of slow-growing timber species, while the fast-growing timber species with low wood densities cannot be efficiently used. Based on the timber stocks and lifetime growth rates, the GOL concept has been created as an aid to improve forest management in the Central Amazonian várzea. The model is unique for tropical silviculture.     

Forest Utilization in the Sierra Juarez,Oaxaca, Mexico

Abstract

As one of the most diverse biological regions in the seasonal tropics, Oaxaca's main management challenge is balancing sustainable forest harvesting with preserving biological diversity, especially challenging for a village community with limited resources—both economic and technical. A closer look at the history of forest management activities in Sierra Juarez shows exploitative practices by Fabricas de Papel Tuxtapec (FAPATUX), a national paper manufacturer. In 1956, FAPATUX acquired a 25 year concession to harvest the communal forests of Ixtlán. Despite the success of the communities in working with FAPATUX and influencing the management of the communal lands, the communities eventually demanded greater control over the lands and sought to prevent the continuation of the concessions. Since then, communal forest management has sought to achieve two primary goals: (1) to provide economic returns and employment, and (2) to steward the land responsibly and sustainably. Their management plan has evolved into the manipulation of standard silvicultural procedures and their integration with traditional agricultural practices. The management of the timber resources in Ixtlán will continue to be a dynamic process. Having the flexibility to respond to failures and ever-changing conditions will ensure that Ixtlán will adapt its management and silvicultural systems over time to achieve its objectives.     

Distribution and nest site selection of red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus) in forests of northeastern Wisconsin (USA)

Red-shouldered hawks (Buteo lineatus) are threatened in Wisconsin and when nest sites are found during the cruising or marking stage of timber harvesting, the harvest is altered to accommodate the hawks. If nest site locations are known before initiation of timber harvest, foresters can employ a proactive approach to manage red-shouldered hawks while maintaining timber production. We searched for red-shouldered hawks nest sites on Marinette County Forest (MCF) which encompasses 94,000 ha in northeastern Wisconsin and is the second largest county forest in the state. We used a comparative modeling approach to evaluate distribution and habitat relationships of red-shouldered hawk nest sites in relation to a suite of environmental variables in MCF. Models were used to develop forest management recommendations for red-shouldered hawks in Wisconsin. During the spring of 2006 and 2007, we broadcasted conspecific calls to survey 1121 calling stations along forest roads and trails. We located 20 and 25 active nesting territories in 2006 and 2007, respectively (11 of which were active in both years). To understand nest site selection, we measured 22 habitat variables within 0.04-ha plots at active nest sites (n = 34) and at stratified random sites (n = 61). Logistic regression with information-theoretic model selection identified a model including greater tree species richness and closeness to forested wetland as the best-approximating model. Variable selection with Discriminant Function Analysis (DFA) indicated that nest selection was best explained by greater number of tree species, closer distance to forested wetlands, greater volume of downed woody debris, fewer small sawlogs, and increased proximity to streams. Univariate comparisons identified four of the five aforementioned variables in the DFA model as significant. Red-shouldered hawks are likely more common in Wisconsin than their state status suggests. Forest management for red-shouldered hawk nest sites should focus on increasing tree species richness, increasing down woody debris volume, and protecting forested wetlands. These recommendations may assist property managers to locate and plan for continued persistence of this species on MCF.     

汪清林业局采育林技术研究与分析

结合汪清林业局的森林经营实践,回顾了采育林发展的过程,分析了采育林的生态环境、群落结构、类型演替、树种组成与成效。     

The effects of partial harvest on the understory vegetation of southern Ontario woodlands

We studied the effects of partial cutting on understory vegetation communities within 19 mixed maple forests in an agriculture-dominated landscape in southwestern Ontario. Woodlots that had been recently harvested were grouped according to provincial silviculture guidelines (standard and heavy cuts) and compared to woodlots that had been uncut for at least 24 years (reference stands). We found significant differences in richness, diversity, and quality of understory vegetation in response to harvest indices. More intensive harvesting resulted in increased richness and diversity, but mostly through the addition of habitat generalists and weedy species. However, partial harvest does not appear to drive vegetation community composition, as ordination methods found no clear community differences between the treatments. Use of the single-tree selection system based on basal area and harvest intensity targets will have an effect on the understory plants, but other factors including past management, disturbance history, and site level microclimate features will also play an important role in shaping vegetation communities. We caution against the removal of large volumes of trees ≥38 cm in diameter, and large reductions in canopy cover, as this can reduce the presence of “conservative” (forest dependent specialist) species, despite a general increase in species richness and diversity. Furthermore, we recommend additional research to investigate the potential for incremental degradation to occur on sites with a long-term history of harvesting, as we found that richness of exotics increased on sites with a history of forest management.     

次生阔叶林改建为食用菌原料林后的群落恢复和林分生长

选择林相较好的12年生天然次生阔叶林，通过择伐更新和皆伐人促更新两种经营方式定向培育食用菌原料林。结果表明：择伐经营的经济效益较高，且有利于群落的快速恢复，经过7a的封育，林分蓄积量已达到择伐前当年的水平。皆伐人促更新获得的食用菌材虽较择伐利用高出40％左右，但因经营强度过大，保留的幼树受损严重而不利于伐后林木的生长与恢复，封育期内蓄积增长量分别为择伐更新和对照未经营区的64．7％和73．4％。动态监测结果显示，采用择伐和皆伐人促更新措施后，群落恢复较快。疏伐后因透光度的急剧增加，阳性和中性树种大量侵入，地面芽植物和1年生植物的比例增高。到第7年时，高位芽植物的比例已接近未经营区的状态，乔、灌、草各层的物种多样性指数高于未经营的天然阔叶林，物种均匀度则与其相近。研究还发现，两种更新经营方式对土壤养分的损失较小，经过7a的恢复，林地土壤肥力已基本达到原有天然林水平。     

Initial Effects of Intensity and Severity of Balsam Fir Tip Harvesting on Harvesting Intensity at the Stand Level,Tip Production,and Tip/Foliage Removal at the Tree Level,and Harvesters’ Production and Productivity

Balsam fir (Abies balsamea [L.] Mill.), which is widely used for floral greenery, is an important source of nontimber forest products (NTFP) from the northern forests of North America. Nonetheless, additional information is needed to refine and revise commercial tip-harvesting management guidelines to promote sustainable forest management. Therefore, a study was initiated to: (a) examine the socioeconomic impacts of and anticipate the potential biological responses to four contrasting harvesting practices; (b) discuss the implications of the results for the relevance and applicability of some specifications of management guidelines; and (c) assess the compatibility of tip harvesting while pursuing an objective of timber production.     

The compatibility of timber and non-timber forest product extraction and management

We discuss the extent of compatibility of timber and non-timber forest product (NTFP) extraction in two neotropical localities from biophysical, social, and institutional perspectives: the community concession forests of the Petén, Guatemala, and extractivist communities in northern Bolivia. In both localities, timber is harvested via reduced-impact logging (RIL) practices. In Guatemala, the main NTFP extracted is foliage from the understory xate palm (Chamaedorea spp.); in northern Bolivia, the fruits of the Brazil nut tree (Bertholletia excelsa). The Guatemalan case suggests a relatively high degree of compatibility due to low timber harvesting intensities, coupled with temporal, spatial, and social segregation of xate extraction in a well-defined land tenure system. In northern Bolivia, forest management regulations pay little attention to NTFPs and land tenure issues and related conflict complicate efforts to limit timber harvesting impacts on Brazil nut trees. The introduction of timber management plans overlain on customary property rights systems in which the extraction of Brazil nut is organized could undercut its management system. The two case studies suggest that specific legislative, education, and project interventions may help to promote the compatibility of timber and NTFP extraction and management. These include formal training of foresters on NTFP ecology and management while taking into account the perspectives of multiple stakeholders in the design of management plans. Tropical forest users, research managers, and policy makers will also better understand the need for integrated management of timber and NTFPs, if the trade-offs and potential economic benefits from NTFP extraction are clarified.