The forest planning system in relation to the forest resource and forestry policies

The current forest planning system of Japan has been in place since the formulation of the Forest Law back in 1897. During this time, although addressing specified forests as demonstrated in the system for protection forests, in a more general sense, the execution of the forest planning system has placed forestry management at the core. In other words, it has instead been forest administration delivered in a manner relevant to forestry management. This trend is exhibited in, for instance, policies for the reorganization of common forest, the forest management planning system, forest owners associations, the proceeds-sharing reforestation system, cooperative silviculture management, and valley forestry revitalization; which have all been implemented.In this paper I review the results of these practices and explore the contemporary forest owners pattern of behavior. I also discuss the passive attitudes among forest owners, especially in comparison with the attitudes prevalent during the postwar reforestation era, continuing up to the 1960s, and the current tendency towards neglect in the afforested areas, as well as the increasing number of forest owners giving up forestry practice.In the postwar era (up to the 1960s), forestry had been following an upward trend of development that motivated forest owners to afforest, as this was the optimal choice for increasing the familys stocks for future generations (in the manner of holding an asset), and thus a rapid expansion of plantation forests resulted. By the 1970s, when domestic wood supply became less than a half of all domestic wood demand (it is still declining now), forest owners gradually began to lose interest in reforestation and care of the forest as a method of increasing assets. The current share of domestic wood supply in total consumption has dropped to 20%, and the annual cut volume is only 23% of the annual volume increment.Forests are as much a public property as they are private and, moreover, represent a globally significant resource. Active stewardship, such as materializing internationally agreed notions of sustainable forest management, promoting forest certification systems, and complying with the Kyoto Protocol, are now important issues, both domestically and internationally.The paradoxical gap between current forestry trends and public aspirations for forests is widening with each year, thus creating a grave social problem. I have been focusing on forestry revitalization as the primary step towards the resolution of this issue. As the logical basis for executing this policy, I review the relations between forest resource policies and forestry policies.At the same time, by reviewing the forest planning system and its developmental process, I sought to investigate what new policies would fulfill the need to realize the public functions of forests while revitalizing forestry, form the point of view of forestry policies and their influence on the forest planning system. I have concluded that there is a case for separating forest management from forest ownership in units of forest compartments; namely to establish an incorporative management system by which forest owners can invest in their stands.     

Effects of temporal aggregation in integrated strategic/tactical and strategic forest planning

Integrated approaches to forest planning lead to large models and there is a subsequent need for a reduction of the number of constraints and variables. One way of achieving this is to aggregate data, either spatially or temporally. In this paper an integrated forest planning mixed integer model that takes into account both long-term strategic and shorter-term tactical forest management decisions is utilised. The study analyses the consequences of temporal aggregation in the strategic part of the integrated model, whereas the tactical part is modelled by a fixed set of years divided into seasons. For reference, analyses are also made using a pure strategic linear programming model. Cases using both equal and variable strategic period lengths are presented, and two case study areas are used. Results indicate that integrated plans, as well as strategic plans, are not particularly affected by the number of equal length strategic periods when more than five periods, i.e. less than 20 year period length, are used. When modelling strategic and integrated problems using variable-length periods, care should be taken to ensure that harvest operations late in the planning horizon get enough timing options to be adequately described.     

An interactive multiobjective approach to harvest decisions in forest planning

A hierarchical approach to forest planning is formulated, where harvest schedules are first determined, followed by a decision about harvest methods (harvest regime). Choice of harvest methods is particularly important because of concerns about harvest‐related site disturbance. In the decision model developed in this article, determination of a harvest regime is expressed as a multiple‐objective decision incorporating maximization of net present value and minimization of cumulative site disturbance for different site classes, subject to maintaining high levels of production, an even flow of timber, and avoiding adjacency violations. The search for preferred harvest regimes is performed interactively over a set of non‐dominated harvest schedules with alternative aspiration levels identified for the various objectives to reflect values of different stakeholders.     

Alternative priority models for forest planning on the landscape level involving multiple ownership

The study presents four ways to formulate a landscape level forest planning model for group planning using a heuristic optimization method called ‘HERO’. The HERO method is composed of two primary steps: first, forest management goals are defined; then a management plan is sought to fulfill the defined goals. The planning models consider the landscape (whole area) and forest holdings as separate hierarchical levels. Within the planning models, each participant's forest management goals are defined using additive priority functions consisting of weighted sub-utility and/or achievement functions. Maximizing the achievement function minimizes the deviation from the target value for the corresponding goal variable. (i) The integrated top-down model uses achievement functions on the landscape level and sub-utility functions on the individual holding level; while (ii) the integrated bottom-up model uses achievement functions on the holding level and sub-utility functions on the landscape level. (iii) The integrated utility maximization model consists of weighted sub-utility functions on both the landscape and the individual holding levels and (iv) the integrated regret minimization model uses achievement functions on both levels. The use of different priority models was illustrated in a case study, which consisted of four neighboring private land holdings. In general, the priority models worked in a logical way. Large deviations from the targets could be prevented by using achievement functions in the overall priority models. On the other hand, the differences between the models were not very large, and the results of only one case cannot be generalized. It seems that all the alternative priority models might have use in different planning situations. However, interactive use of the models should be preferred.     

From a strategic to a tactical forest management plan using a hierarchic optimization approach

The Finnish state forest enterprise, Metsähallitus, defines the regional harvest levels for a 10-year period in a strategic-level natural resources plan. Although this plan defines stand-level harvest schedules for all stands, in practice, it cannot be used, as the harvests need to be clustered in time and in space. It is applied by giving each subregion goals they need to fulfill in a tactical level planning process, and the harvests are manually clustered into predefined groups of adjacent stands (departments). In this study, we developed a hierarchical optimization process making use of departments for clustering the harvests. For each of the departments, 91 different stand-level harvest schedules (plans) were determined using incomes from one period and the forest value at the end as objectives. The department-level plans were then used as alternatives in a region-level goal optimization problem. The resulting hierarchic plan was compared to the stand-level solution of the strategic-level plan which served as a benchmark plan. The hierarchical plan clustered the harvests and achieved the goals set better than the benchmark plan, but the net present income was 3.3% lower. The approach turned out usable, but further developing of the approach is needed to reduce the costs of clustering.     

An ecological approach to forest harvesting

This paper deals with the relationships between forest harvesting and forest ecology. It proposes basing annual cuts and forest operation plans on ecological principles. Harvestablc forest resources arc decreasing and regeneration is slow. The combination of forest harvesting with ecology can be viewed as a solution to the forest harvesting dilemma in China.This paper also makes some technical recommendations for forest operations based on ecological principles.     

FORESTAR:东北地区多目标森林经营的决策支持系统(英文)

我国林业过去曾经实行过大砍大造的方针,导致全国范围的生态灾难和林区的经济困境。当前正在实施的天然林保护工程和退耕焕还林工程是在我国山地森林应用生态系统管理的良好时机。针对长白山地区天然林的保护与经营,我们建立了一个决策支持系统,简称为FORESTAR。它是以林业局为单位、用GIS框架下的森林资源清查数据建立的。最初的版本包括两个子模块:森林采伐设计和森林恢复经营。在每个子模块下,用户可以比较各种决策条件下的效果,以便从中选优。这个决策支持系统可以用来帮助各级林业工作者实现上下一致的、多目标的森林经营管理规划。图2参17。     

基于公众参与的村镇规划手法研究——以许昌市紫云镇为例

公众参与式规划作为环境设计的趋势,已越来越受到人们的重视。自20世纪90年代起,公众参与开始在我国规划业中兴起,目前尚处于起步阶段。本文结合人们对公众参与的理论解析,以河南省许昌市紫云镇为例来探索适合我国村镇规划过程中公众参与的模式,并提出实践过程中存在的问题及引发的思考。     

Integrating landscape connectivity in broad-scale forest planning through a new graph-based habitat availability methodology: application to capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) in Catalonia (NE Spain)

The loss of connectivity of forest landscapes is seriously hindering dispersal of many forest-dwelling species, which may be critical for their viability and conservation. In this context, explicitly incorporating connectivity considerations is an important challenge in current forest planning and management, but as yet there is a lack of operative methods for appropriate decision making in this respect. We describe a new methodology based on graph structures and a habitat availability index (integral index of connectivity) that integrates forest attributes (like habitat quality) and network connectivity in a single measure. We apply this methodology to examine the connectivity of the highly fragmented habitat of capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) in Catalonia (NE Spain), where the threatened status of this forest bird species calls for landscape-level forest planning solutions. We analyse data on the distribution of capercaillie forest habitat at 1 km spatial resolution obtained from the recent Catalan Breeding Bird Atlas. We determine the functionally connected regions existing within its habitat distribution and identify the forest habitat areas that are more important for the maintenance of overall landscape connectivity for this species. Based on these results, we provide recommendations on certain critical public forests where management oriented to the conservation of capercaillie habitat is more necessary. These results highlight the potential and practical interest of the proposed methodology for successfully integrating landscape connectivity in broad scale forest planning.     

用材林林木资产评估中市场法的探讨

研究针对林业行业特点,确定相关参考技术指标和资产评估方法,及时准确的评估森林资源资产,最终测算出符合实际的资产价值。文章比较全面系统的探讨市场法在用材林林木资产评估中的运用,引入层次分析法与灰色关联度分析方法确定各个案例的权重。APH和GPA可以用于方案优化中,为方案优化决策提供了一种新的可量化的方法,从而确保了评估值科学性、合理性。     

Planning and management of the afforestation process in Northern Israel

Afforestation in Israel has matured over a 90 year period into aformalized process of planning, management and control that involves allsections of the Keren Kayemeth Leisrael's (KKL) Forest Department. Over aone to two year period sites in the Northern Region are selected, planned,reviewed, prepared, planted, tended, surveyed and monitored to insure asuccessful start to a full rotation period. Over a ten-year period underdiscussion (1990–1999) old monocultures which declined due to destructiveagents or natural aging were replaced with multispecies, multifunctionalstands.Departmental integration and cooperation in the decision making andimplementation process to meet this end helps guarantee a successfulafforestation investment. In addition, new types of specialty plantings werealso incorporated on a small scale to give added-value to the social andrecreational side of Israel's forests.     

An approach to cork oak forest management planning: a case study in southwestern Portugal

This paper presents results of research aiming at the development of tools that may enhance cork oak (Quercus suber L.) forest management planning. Specifically, it proposes an hierarchical approach that encompasses the spatial classification of a cork oak forest and the temporal scheduling of cork harvests. The use of both geographical information systems and operations research techniques is addressed. Emphasis is on the achievement of cork even flow objectives. Results from an application to a case study in the Charneca Pliocénica of Ribatejo in southern Portugal encompassing a cork oak forest extending over 4.8 thousand ha are discussed. They suggest that the proposed approach is capable of effective spatial classification of cork oak management units. They further suggest that it may be used to select optimal cork even flow scheduling strategies. Results also show that the proposed approach may lead to a substantial increase in net present value when compared to traditional approaches to cork oak forest management planning.     

耦合公众参与的传统聚落雷州青桐村景观保护性规划研究

从聚落景观保护性规划角度出发,以粤西地区典型传统村落——广东省雷州市英利镇青桐村为例,采用层次分析法、调查问卷法和ArcGIS叠加分析法对乡村开展规划.通过提取乡村主要景观指标因子,耦合公众参与,构建矩阵系统计算评分权重,并建立景观安全格局模型,系统地分析出乡村应建设区域、可建设区域和不可建设区域,并以ArcGIS叠加...     

Estimating forest characteristics in scanned aerial photographs with respect to requirements for economic forest management planning

The objective of forest management planning is often expressed as maximum sustainable economic yield. Methods used to collect information for forestry planning should, therefore, include variables significant for economic evaluations of management alternatives. It is important to be able to differentiate mature stands with respect to timber volumes and species mixture. In this study, digital high‐altitude aerial photographs are tested as a data source for planning. Circular plot data from a forest estate in northern Sweden were used as reference material. Global positioning system (GPS) measurements, with differential correction, were used to georeference the plots. Harvesting priorities were calculated for each plot using the Forest Management Planning Package. Volumes, species mixture and harvest priorities were estimated using regression analysis based on textural and spectral information from aerial photographs. The results show that the dependent variables could be estimated fairly well using only spectral information, e.g., R ² = 0.44 when estimating timber volume at reference plot (10 m radius) level. Aggregated to stand level, the precision was comparable with customary field survey methods (e.g., RMSE= 13.4% for timber volume).     

An assessment of hydrological functions of forest ecosystems to support sustainable forest management

Forests are among the most important ecosystems that provide various hydrological services including water production and protection because the vast majority of the water available on the earth comes from forested catchments. The forests provide quality and continuous water yield as well as protective services such as flood control, soil protection, landslide protection, avalanche protection, and prevention against rock falls, which are related to water. However, the quality and quantity of all the forest functions are influenced by forest ecosystem structure and composition such as forest type, tree species, age class distribution, biomass, leaf area, basal area, crown closure, and stand development stages. This study provides an assessment of hydrological services of forest ecosystems through the systematic review of relevant literature till 2018. It mainly focuses on water-forest relations and explains how forest ecosystem structure and composition affect water production, quality, and sustainability. Then, a general framework relating to the integration of hydrological services into forest management is concluded in the context of sustainable management of natural resources.     

Conflict management and participation in community forestry

In this paper consideration is first given to how community forestry practitioners have commonly understood the term participation, and why the concept of conflict does not seem to have overlapped with notions of participation. Failure to perceive conflict as inherent in participation is shown to have led to problems in implementation of community forestry programmes. The emerging awareness of conflict today is shown to be associated with the move away from community forestry in the form of village-based tree planting schemes towards community forest management, which involves devolution of state authority over natural forests. The paper presents a number of methods for managing conflict and discusses their strong and weak points. Using the experience of the introduction of participation as a comparison, the paper considers the extent to which conflict management might be adopted as standard practice by forest agencies in community forestry. The paper concludes that because of the limited mandate of forest agencies, it is unlikely that they will be able to use conflict management tools to bring about social justice in forest conflict situations. However, the paper suggests that use of such tools could result in heightened awareness of the importance of conflict and in this way improve forest practice.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Multiple-use forest management in consideration of climate change and the interests of stakeholder groups

In this study, the overall utility of forest management alternatives at the forest management unit level is evaluated with regard to multi-purpose and multi-user settings by a multi-criteria analysis (MCA) method. The MCA is based on an additive utility model. The relative importance of partial objectives of forest management (carbon sequestration, ground water recharge, biodiversity, and timber production) is defined in cooperation with stakeholders. The forest growth model 4C (Forest Ecosystems in a Changing Environment) is used to simulate the impact of six forest management strategies and climate on forest functions. Two climate change scenarios represent uncertainties with regard to future climatic conditions. The study is based on actual forest conditions in the Kleinsee management unit in east Germany, which is dominated by Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and oak (Quercus robur L. and Quercus petraea Liebl.) stands. First, there is an analysis of the impact of climate and forest management on forest functions. Climate change increases carbon sequestration and income from timber production due to increased stand productivity. Secondly, the overall utility of the management strategies is compared under the priority settings of different stakeholder groups. From an ecological perspective, a conservation strategy would be preferable under all climate scenarios, but the business as usual management would also fit the expectations under the current climate due to high biodiversity and carbon sequestration in the forest ecosystem. In contrast, a forest manager in public-owned forests or a private forest owner would prefer a management strategy with an intermediate thinning intensity and a high share of pine stands to enhance income from timber production while maintaining the other forest functions.     

Compatibility of timber and non-timber forest product management in natural tropical forests: Perspectives,challenges, and opportunities

Tropical forests could satisfy multiple demands for goods and services both for present and future generations. Yet integrated approaches to natural forest management remain elusive across the tropics. In this paper we examine one combination of uses: selective harvesting of timber and non-timber forest product (NTFP) extraction. We analyze the current status of this combination and speculate on prospects and challenges regarding: (i) resource inventory, (ii) ecology and silviculture, (iii) conflict in the use of multipurpose tree species, (iv) wildlife conservation and use, (v) tenure, and (vi) product certification. Our conclusions remain preliminary due to the relative paucity of published studies and lessons learned on what has worked and what has not in the context of integrated management for timber and NTFPs. We propose at least three ways where further research is merited. One, in improving ‘opportunistic’ situations driven by selective timber harvesting that also enhance NTFP values. Two, to explicitly enhance both timber and NTFP values through targeted management interventions. Three, to explicitly assess biophysical, social, regulatory and institutional aspects so that combined benefits are maximized. Interventions for enhancing the compatibility of timber and NTFP extraction must be scaled in relation to the size of the area being managed, applied timber harvesting intensities, and the dynamics of multi-actor, forest partnerships (e.g., between the private sector and local communities). In addition, training and education issues may have to be re-crafted with multiple-use management approaches inserted into tropical forestry curricula.     

Visualization and landscape laboratories in planning, design and management of urban woodlands

Although participatory approaches are increasingly used in planning and management of urban woodlands, efficient tools are also needed to make the processes work. In urban forest planning impacts of proposed management regimes on aesthetic and recreational values are among the factors that interest the local residents the most. This article explores two potential methods for improving collaborative urban forest planning and design in Europe, based primarily on experience gained in the Nordic countries. The methods relate to the use of (i) computer-based visualization methods and (ii) demonstration forests and landscape laboratories. We suggest that use of both methods may lead to a major enhancement in forest planning and design.