Assessing rural peoples’ intention to adopt sustainable forest use and management practices in South Africa

This study examined rural peoples’ intention to adopt sustainability practices in communally managed forests in Vhembe district, South Africa, using the theory of planned behavior as a conceptual framework. A total of 155 respondents were surveyed. The data was analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The results showed that rural people have a strong intention to adopt sustainable forest-use and management practices. Out of the three constructs comprising the theory of planned behavior, subjective norm (SN) and attitude to behavior (AB) positively correlated with intention, with SN having the strongest influence on intention. Perceived behavioral control (PBC), which is the third construct, negatively correlated with intention. The study indicates that respondents’ subjective belief about the approval or disapproval of sustainable forest management (SFM) practices by other relevant people mainly influenced their intention to adopt or not adopt such practices. Thus, strategies and policies to enhance the sustainable management of communally owned forests in South Africa need to consider local actor contexts and sociocultural norms and values. In this regard, the engagement of influential people at the community level, and the demonstration of the short- and long-term benefits of sustainable forest use and management practices offer promising entry points.     

南非林业发展及启示与两国林业合作展望

中国正在加强实施"走出去"战略,寻求多元化的林业国际合作。南非是非洲最为发达的国家,并且与中国同为发展中国家和金砖国家。文中以FAO和南非农林渔业部等机构最新资料和数据为依据,介绍南非森林资源、林业法规、管理机构、森林经营管理、森林旅游、林产品生产与贸易等林业发展现状,探讨其土地产权问题、林业转型和社区参与对中国林业发展的一些启示,并提出中国可与南非在精准提升森林质量、林产品贸易、森林资源开发以及旱区造林技术等领域深入合作,为加强双边合作提供参考,对提升中国林业在非洲乃至国际上的形象与影响力具有重要意义。     

The value of six key soil variables for incorporation into a South African forest site classification system

The intensive nature of management practices in the exotic monoculture plantations of South Africa requires reliable decision support systems. Recent socio-economic developments, the need for optimal forest productivity, as well as increasing awareness of broader ecosystem values and environmental risks, highlight the importance of a unified approach to forest site classification and evaluation. This paper highlights the value of specific soil characteristics and its application value for a range of silviculture and management aspects related to site-specific forestry. A limited set of six soil variables are proposed for ecological mapping of forest landscapes at high-resolution operational-level scales. The variables proposed are parent material, soil classification, effective soil depth, depth limiting material, topsoil organic matter and topsoil texture. Each variable is discussed in terms of its significance as well as relevance to plantation forestry in South Africa. Shortcomings in our knowledge base and research requirements are highlighted, and the format of incorporation into a national forest site classification system is proposed. This paper will contribute to unity of purpose and understanding of forest site classification and evaluation in South Africa, and will promote management frameworks and decision support systems with desired environmental, economic and social benefits.     

Realising the benefit of research in eucalypt plantation management

The development of a plantation eucalypt wood-based forest products industry in South Africa is outlined. Forest research that has contributed to increasing wood production from the ultimately finite land resource available for industrial plantations is reviewed. The application of this technology to eucalypt plantations by Sappi Forests is described and evidence for resultant increased wood production is presented. Improved silviculture, introduction of alternative species and deployment of genetically superior planting stock coupled to site classification and site-specific application of these technologies have all contributed to measured gains. The continued development and application of appropriate forest technology will be critical to a sustainable future for the industry in South Africa. Issues pertaining to this are discussed.     

Remote sensing of forest health and vitality: a South African perspective

Commercial forestry plantations are an important and valuable segment of the South African economy and forest managers are required to maximise and sustain forest productivity. However, various factors such as the outbreak of damaging agents are constantly hampering forest health and thus decrease productivity. It is therefore important to detect the presence and spread of these agents within plantation forests, a task efficiently achieved using remote sensing technology. A wide assortment of sensors with varying resolutions are available and have been extensively used for this purpose. This paper reviews the current status of remote sensing of forest health in South Africa by providing insight on the latest developments on the use of the technology in forest plantations. A systematic search was executed on Google Scholar, ScienceDirect^® and EBSCOhost^® databases that identified 627 articles of which 29 made reference to remote sensing of forest health in South Africa. Four key results were found: (1) the latest technology is capable of detecting and monitoring forest health with great accuracy, especially with the adoption of machine learning methods; (2) studies employing remote sensing to characterise forest health have burgeoned since 2006 with even more applying hyperspectral data; (3) most studies were spatially concentrated in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands region around Pietermaritzburg with only a few over the Western Cape; and (4) the remote detection of pest outbreaks and pathogens have received much attention followed by alien invasive plants and a few studies directed to fragmentation. Present and future partnerships may open up opportunities for exploit- ing remote sensing further; this should address growing expectations from government and industry for more detailed and accurate information concerning the health and condition of South Africa's plantation forests.     

Bark thickness and bark volume of Pinus patula in South Africa

In South Africa, tree volume tables and volume functions are usually based on the under bark stem volume. Many forest management studies, however, give the estimated over bark volume, in which case equations are required that estimate bark volume and possibly bark thickness as a function of DBH and tree height. This study deals with the evaluation of geographical regions and tree characteristics on bark thickness and bark volume of Pinus patula in South Africa.     

Research on planting stock and forest regeneration in South Africa

Unlike countries with substantial forest resources, South Africa has a limited area available for forestry development and timber production. This is mainly because of insufficient rainfall for a viable timber production in most of the country, and the priority to utilize land for other purposes such as food production, fundamental community needs and water harvesting. The timber production has steadily increased over the last years, mainly due to breeding strategies and intensive silviculture. The variety of sites and products, as well as the need for improved and product-specific timber properties, force the grower to utilize a multitude of species, hybrids and clones in a fairly uniform operational system. Research-derived plantation forestry in South Africa provides examples of successful biological technology, yet its optimization needs attention. A better integration of components in the `harvesting/processing-nursery-regeneration-tending-harvesting/processing' cycle offers a tremendous challenge for future research.     

台湾桤木生物生态学特性及引种栽培技术

本文对原产地台湾与引种地南非和福建等的台湾桤木与四川桤木的生物生态学特性和生长状况进行比较分析。结果表明：台湾桤木具有生长快、根瘤固氮能力强等特性，适合我国南方引种栽植、发展商品林。通过在四川引种试验，提出了台湾桤木的育苗方法与栽培技术。     

新公共管理背景下国外国家公园管理改革的经验与启示

上世纪末到本世纪初, 在各国国家公园维护费用不断上涨的同时, 新公共管理的思想逐渐深入人心, 呼唤政府部门提升管理效率。美国、加拿大、南非等国的国家公园分别采取了建立企业预算系统、与企业合作筹集资金、推动雇员接管以及加强精细化管理等改革措施, 激励基层公园管理机构有效提升管理效率。文中介绍和分析美国、加拿大、南非国家公园管理改革措施与经验, 指出建立完善的行政管理体系、推动市场化改革、针对不同类型的景区及服务实施多样与精细化的管理是其改革成功的关键, 提出了加强我国国家公园(内涵上包括国家森林公园、自然保护区、风景名胜区等)管理的建议。     

2000年全球森林火灾评述

2000年受气候异常、高温、干旱的影响,世界范围内森林火灾频繁发生。美国、欧洲环地中海国家、俄罗斯、蒙古、南非、韩国、印度尼西亚等国家都发生了大的森林火灾,造成重大经济损失和环境破坏,严重威胁居民的生命和财产安全。其中美国西部、俄罗斯远东发生的森林火灾最为严重,引起世界各国的广泛关注。     

Socio-economic factors influencing mopane worm(Imbrasia belina) harvesting in Limpopo Province,South Africa

In South Africa, non-timber forest products,especially mopane worms(Imbrasia belina) have become an important source of food and cash income for rural people living in or near the mopane woodlands. However,the continued harvesting has implications for long term management of the mopane woodlands in the northern parts of South Africa. In order to keep a balance between mopane worm harvesting and biodiversity, an understanding of socio-economic factors influencing the harvest at household level is vital to reducing depletion and overexploitation of the mopane woodland resources. This study evaluated the socio-economic factors influencing mopane worm harvesting decisions in rural households in Limpopo Province, South Africa using a binary logistic regression model based on a household survey of 120 respondents.Age, gender, education, income from mopane worm sales,social capital(group affiliation), household size, lack of institution/law to regulate use, distance to the nearest harvesting site, and regional locations were statisticallysignificant factors influencing household mopane worm harvest decisions. Implications for policy are discussed.     

Provenance Performance of Liriodendron tulipifera in South Africa

Four provenances of Liriodendron tulipifera were imported from the United States in 1973. Test plantings were made in three forest regions of South Africa, with major trials being established in one of the regions. The resulting provenance rankings show a classical clinal variation pattern with the southernmost United States source exhibiting the best growth rate. All sources tested appear to be equally sensitive to rat and buck damage.     

Tree breeding model to assess financial performance of pine hybrids and pure species: deterministic and stochastic approaches for South Africa

Financial performance of the P. patula × P. tecunumanii, P. greggii × P. tecunumanii, P. taeda × P. tecunumanii hybrids and their parental species was studied for South Africa. A model was developed for use in determining the profitability of a tree-breeding program (TBP) with pine hybrids in commercial plantations. Growth measurement data were collected in four, 12-year-old genetic trials on Mondi and Sappi land holdings in South Africa. Growth models developed for P. patula and P. taeda in South Africa were used to infer models for the other taxa and to calculate the optimal financial rotation age at discount rates of 6 and 8%. Financial data on pine plantations were collected from different sources in South Africa. Optimal rotation lengths in this study were found to be between 12 and 16 years for pulpwood and 17 years for sawtimber. The model output shows the net present value (NPV), the internal rate of return, and the minimum area that a tree grower has to plant every year in order to justify the investment in a TBP. A stochastic approach with Monte Carlo simulation showed that the sensitivity of NPV to uncertainty in the wood price was greater than that for the planting, harvesting, and transport costs.     

Analysis of rural people’s attitude towards the management of tribal forests in South Africa

The management of forests for multiple purposes coupled with a varying socioeconomic profile of forest users can result in attitudinal differences towards forest management. This study examines the attitudes of rural people in South Africa towards the management of tribal forests. Attitude towards forest management was analysed with respect to five forest management objectives: 1, forest management for rural livelihood resilience to climate change; 2, forest management for reduction and management of forest fire risk; 3, forest management for sustainable forest-based livelihood; 4, forest management for household socioeconomic wellbeing; and 5, forest management for community-based climate change adaptation initiative. A household questionnaire survey was used to elicit information from 155 rural households using the proportionate random sampling procedure. Chi-square test was used to analyse data from the household survey. Factorial analysis was used to analyse variance in attitude towards forest management. The results showed that rural people generally have positive attitudes toward the management of tribal forests. Factor analysis isolated 2 major factors that explained 61% variance in attitude. Based on the findings we conclude that centralising forest management around the four management objectives (1, 3, 4 & 5) are likely to promote inclusive forest-based development in the study communities.     

Cover Gradients and the Forest-Community Frontier: Indigenous Forests Under Communal Management at Vondo and Xanthia,South Africa

Rural communities in the developing world contexts are heavily reliant on the environment for their livelihoods, often resulting in reduction in forest and woodland tree cover and species diversity. This article provides indicative data at two threatened tropical forest and woodland sites in northeastern South Africa. Woody individuals and species were quantified at 1-ha sample plots both close to and away from adjacent villages, and the data analyzed using Geographic Information System (GIS) software. Surprisingly, for a developing world context, results suggest that the forests are in a good state of conservation. Management factors likely to be responsible are discussed.     

低产苦竹林复壮技术试验初报

对低产苦竹林采取覆盖、深翻、施肥等措施进行复壮试验,结果表明:覆盖对提早出笋、苦竹笋产量增加、产值增长有显著作用。其中以稻草80%+砻糠20%组合最佳,可以提前苦竹笋上市期41 d,其早期笋产量占总产量39.8%、产值占总产值68.1%;总产值比对照增加123%,早期笋增值额是对照的13.6倍;利润比对照增加253%。竹林复壮培育的林地抚育管理措施以深翻、深层(或全层)施肥效果好,其中深层施肥效果最好。     

世界约30个国家、地区的森林资源是增长的

把世界约30个森林资源增长的国家、地区分成4类:1.依靠雄厚的森林资源,虽经营粗放,近40年来,资源还是增长了,如苏、美、加;2.荒地造林扩大了森林资源、如新西兰、南非、斯威士兰、英国;3.通过集约经营现有林,欧洲大多数国家、日本的森林蓄积量明显增长;4.以外养内,巧妙利用外国资源,既满足了本地区木材需要,保护了自己的资源,又谋得了进口木材所需的外汇。中国应走哪条路?     

Underpricing and Overexploitation of Tropical Forests

Abstract

Forest pricing policies for tropical timber and forest concessions can play an important role in the management, conservation, and preservation of tropical forests. The paper draws on regional studies of forest revenue systems and forest concession arrangements, country case studies, and studies in individual countries of West and Central Africa and South East Asia (Grut, Gray, and Egli, 1991; Gray and Hadi, 1989; Gray and Hadi, 1990; and Gray, 1983). Forest pricing and concession management policies, problems, and experiences in individual countries are examined, common problems and experiences highlighted, and alternatives identified. From these, the elements of a forest pricing and concession management system which supports sustainable management, efficient utilization, and forest renewal are developed.     

The National Forest Programme in the light of Austria's law and political culture

This paper analyses the existing legal framework and political culture in Austria with regard to the procedural elements and output of a National Forest Programme (NFP). The procedural elements of a NFP have been defined by international organisations in the Rio follow-up process. The output of a NFP relates to the goal of the sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of forests. At present there is no NFP in Austria. For the procedural elements of participation, intersectoral co-ordination and long-term, iterative and adaptive planning a weak legal framework exists that has so far impeded NFP formation. Regarding the output of a NFP, the Austrian Forest Act and other forest regulations focus strongly on timber production rather than ecological, social and cultural goals. On account of these shortcomings, the process and output of a substantive NFP requires some changes in Austria's legal framework and political culture. The corporatist structure of the Austrian forestry sector appears to be the central explicative variable for the weak shaping of most of the NFP elements in legislation and practice.     

Domestication potential of Marula (Sclerocarya birrea subsp caffra) in South Africa and Namibia: 2. Phenotypic variation in nut and kernel traits

As part of a wider study characterizing tree-to-tree variation in fruit traits as a pre-requisite for cultivar development, fruits were collected from each of 63 marula (Sclerocarya birrea) trees in Bushbuckridge, South Africa and from 55 trees from the North Central Region of Namibia. The nuts were removed from the fruit flesh, and the kernels extracted, counted and weighed individually to determine the patterns of dry matter partitioning among the nut components (shell and kernel) of different trees. Mean nut, shell and kernel mass were not significantly different between the two countries. Between sites in South Africa there were highly significant differences in mean nut mass, shell mass, kernel mass and kernel number. In Namibia, there were highly significant differences between geographic areas in mean shell mass, kernel mass and kernel number, but not in nut mass. These differences had considerable impacts on shell:kernel ratios (8.0 - 15.4). In South Africa, mean kernel mass was significantly greater in fruits from farmers fields (0.42 g) than from communal land (0.30 g) or natural woodland (0.32 g). Within all sites, in both South Africa and Namibia, there was highly significant and continuous variation between individual trees in nut mass (South Africa = 2.3 - 7.1 g; Namibia = 2.7 - 6.4 g) and kernel mass (South Africa = 0.09 - 0.55 g; Namibia = 0.01 - 0.92 g). The small and valuable kernels constitute a small part of the nut (Namibia = 6.1- 11.1%; South Africa = 7.6 - 10.7%). There can be 4 kernels per nut, but even within the fruits of the same tree, kernel number can vary between 0-4, suggesting variation in pollination success, in addition to genetic variation. The nuts and kernels of the Namibian trees were compared with the fruits from one superior tree (Namibian Wonder: nuts = 10.9 g; kernels = 1.1 g). Oil content (%) and oil yield (g/fruit) also differed significantly between trees (44.7 - 72.3% and 8.0 - 53.0 g/fruit). The percentage frequency distribution of kernel mass was skewed from trees in farmers fields in South Africa and in some sites in Namibia, suggesting a level of anthropogenic selection. It is concluded that there is great potential for the development of cultivars for kernel traits, but there is also a need to determine how to increase the proportion of nuts with four kernels, perhaps through improved pollination success.