Improving the science–policy–practice interface: decision support system uptake and use in the forestry sector in Great Britain

Over the last decade, researchers have developed a range of decision support systems (DSS) which seek to improve the evidence-base for decision-making in the forestry sector in Great Britain. Many are now integral to the systems of forest management and planning used. However, in some cases, levels of adoption have been lower than expected. This problem is neither unique to Great Britain nor to forestry, and increasingly it is being explained in terms of the quality of stakeholder engagement during DSS development and implementation. Thus, social research was undertaken to understand the factors affecting DSS uptake. The methods included an online survey completed by 81 members of the Institute of Chartered Foresters and Forestry Commission staff and 30 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders. Four sets of factors were seen to influence uptake: professional judgement and cultural resistance; communication and access; training, support and consolidation; and meeting user requirements. More generally, our conclusions highlight the need for a shift in the quality of interactions at the science–policy–practice interface: from knowledge-transfer (a unidirectional “bridging of gaps”) to knowledge-exchange (dialogue between collaborating partners) and knowledge-interaction (shared cultures and institutions).     

Do environmental diversity approaches lead to improved site selection? A comparison with the multi-species approach

This paper suggests a new approach to select conservation areas cost-effectively according to the concept of complementarity and representation of focal natural features. The suggested environmental diversity (ED) site selection model maximizes ecological diversity, measured via ordination of the chosen taxa communities. Given their fundamental role in ecosystem functioning, vascular plants are chosen as the indicator taxa. We test the ED indicator model by contrasting it to the conventional site selection indicator (MS model), which maximizes the representation of species number in the indicator taxa. We demonstrate that the ED model is more cost-effective than the MS model. More importantly, while the ED selection is operative over the whole range of species, the MS selection does not work beyond the range of species, where all vascular plants become protected. Beyond that point MS indicator model cannot guide conservation efforts, which is a serious drawback. The ED model outperforms MS model also in terms of habitat conservation and taxonomic diversity. Thus, it provides an interesting selection framework for biodiversity.     

Unraveling the tripartite interactions among the woolly poplar aphid,its host tree,and their environment: a lead to improve the management of a major tree plantation pest?

Key message

For an optimal deployment of poplar resistance to the gall-inducing aphid Phloeomyzus passerinii , a laboratory susceptibility assay has been developed. The nature of aphid–tree interactions during compatible and incompatible situations has been studied in detail. This should help at identifying specific resistance markers and at testing effects of site conditions on tree–pest interactions.

Context

P. passerinii is a major pest of poplar plantations in Europe, and the plantation of resistant poplar genotypes is regarded as the best long-term management strategy for this pest. This requires a sound knowledge of the interactions among the pest, its host and their environment.

Aims

Here, we review the recent advances aiming at developing an optimal deployment of host resistance versus P. passerinii.

Results

Investigations on aphid-host interactions demonstrated that P. passerinii induces pseudogalls within the bark of susceptible hosts. This results in a reduction of starch bark content during aphid outbreaks, which could be involved in tree death. The constitutive level of starch in the bark could be related to the tolerance level of trees. A susceptibility test has been designed for poplar genotypes, discriminating three categories of susceptibility depending on tree’s ability to totally or partially inhibit pseudogall induction. The test still has several limitations however. It neither takes into account the large level of individual genetic diversity of the aphid in France, nor the environmental modulation of tree resistance and tolerance, while water deficit and fertilization could potentially affect these parameters.

Conclusion

The hypotheses drawn regarding the processes leading to tree death or resistance should help at identifying resistance markers, and at testing effects of site conditions on tree–pest interactions.

     

Challenges in developing and implementing a decision support systems (ETÇAP) in forest management planning: a case study in Honaz and Ibradı, Turkey

Decision support systems (DSSs) are indispensable tools in preparing a forest management plan for a better combination of multiple forest values. This study attempted to develop and explain a stand-based forest management DSS (Ecosystem-based multiple-use forest planning [ETÇAP]) comprising a traditional simulation, linear programming (LP), metaheuristics and geographic information system. The model consists of five submodels; traditional management approach to handle inventory data, an empirical growth and yield model, a simulation to conceptualize management actions, a LP technique to optimize resource allocation and a simulated annealing approach to directly create a spatially feasible harvest schedule. The ETÇAP model has been implemented in a comparative two case study areas; Denizli–Honaz and Akseki–Ibrad?. Both simulation and optimization models outperformed to the traditional management plan. The periodical change of growing stock, allowable cuts, carbon sequestration and water production are used as performance indicators. The results showed that more amount of wood could be harvested over time compared to traditional level of harvesting. It could be concluded that various management strategies allowed managers to stimulate more decision options for better outputs through intertemporal trade-offs of management interventions as the model provided tools to quantify forest dynamics over time and space. Challenges exist to establish the functional relationships between forest structure and values for better quantification and integration into the management plans.     

Pitfall or priority drift? Participatory tree domestication programs: The case of agroforestry in the Peruvian Amazon

ABSTRACT

The Agroforestry Tree Domestication Program was globally launched in the 1990s by the World Agroforestry Center to increase farmers’ living standards and slow deforestation. After 20 yr of operation, we screen the impacts on farmers’ livelihoods and prospects in one of the implementation sites: the Ucayali region of the Peruvian Amazon. We contrast the viewpoints of two sets of stakeholders: (a) “outsiders”—scientists, technicians, and development workers; and (2) “insiders”—local farmers organized and not organized. Group and semistructured interviews were used for data collection, and system analyses were conducted for their integration and interpretation. Results diverge by subset. “Outsiders” praised the program lastingness but questioned its dependence on external parties for management; they considered land property and product marketing keys to persist and succeed. In contrast, “insiders” considered the program financially not viable as well as third-party and locally dependent. As an alternative they had initiated activities, both forestry related and otherwise, to profit from their acquired technical and managerial skills. Based on these findings, broadening stakeholders’ diversity and set conveniently roles and decision power during the rationale and implementation phases of similar initiatives could prevent such divergences.     

A review of the development of Mediterranean pine–oak ecosystems after land abandonment and afforestation: are they novel ecosystems?

Context

Mediterranean landscapes are composed of different interacting vegetation patches. Pine and oak ecosystems form contiguous patches within these landscapes, in pure stands, or as mixed pine?Coak ecosystems. During the nineteenth century, pine forest distribution in the Mediterranean Basin increased dramatically as a result of large-scale re-forestation and spontaneous forest regeneration. At the same time, secondary succession of abandoned agricultural land allowed development of pine and oak ecosystems. Consequently, a pine?Coak mosaic has developed, which created opportunities for cross-colonization, i.e. species colonization from one ecosystem in the reciprocal system. Pines shed their wind-dispersed seeds and colonize Mediterranean oak vegetation. Oaks regenerate in different ecosystems, including pine forest understories.

Research question

This paper reviews fire-free landscape-scale dynamics of pine?Coak Mediterranean mosaics and analyze how landscape-scale interactions are leading to pine?Coak ecosystems by different processes.

Results

Published information from the Mediterranean Basin illustrates pathways of pine?Coak ecosystems formation. Using Mediterranean literature, I try to elucidate the factors that (1) control colonization potential and (2) modulate the resistance to colonization, in different habitats, land uses, and landscape settings.

Conclusion

Management implications for these mixed pine?Coak ecosystems are suggested. The question of whether they are novel ecosystems is discussed.     

Artisanal chainsaw milling to support decentralized management of timber in Central Africa? An analysis through the theory of access

During the last decade, in Central Africa, timber volume of the artisanal chainsaw milling (CSM) sector, mainly for domestic markets, has exceeded that processed by the export-oriented industrial sector. However, due to lack of legal alternatives, CSM is largely an informal activity. We rely on the theory of access to understand the mechanisms of access to timber resources, and to the income derived from their use, implemented by local actors to participate in the growth of this informal sector. Among eight common access mechanisms, two have played a particularly important role in the development of CSM for the benefit of rural economies. On the one hand, the growth of CSM was built on the customary tenure system, by valuing traditional knowledge and abiding by the traditional rules of access to trees. On the other hand, domestic timber markets remained accessible to independent operators in Cameroon, in Central African Republic and in Gabon, but the situation is less true in Republic of Congo and in Democratic Republic of Congo.Even if the financial impacts of CSM are substantial for rural economies in Central Africa, the application of the theory of access cannot conclude that this activity supports a decentralized, democratic and sustainable management of timber resources. Two elements lack in this analysis, the accountability of resource managers and the ecological sustainability of the harvest. These issues could be better addressed through a fine-tuned formalization of the CSM sector that would not compromise its present positive impact on rural people's livelihoods.     

Can larch-Aralia elata agroforestry systems improve the soil chemical and microbial properties of larch plantations?

Agroforestry Systems - The conversion of secondary forests to larch plantations has resulted in soil degradation in Northeast China. Previous studies have proven that introducing native broadleaved...     

Birds like it Corky: the influence of habitat features and management of ‘montados’ in breeding bird communities

In the southwest part of the Iberian Peninsula the dominant land-use are the Portuguese montados and Spanish dehesas, parkland forested areas of anthropogenic origin dominated by cork oak. They form a wooded matrix with open areas, scattered woodlands and undisturbed patches of Mediterranean forest and scrublands. The montados are characterized by a rich bird community. We have focus our study in a multidisciplinary approach, evaluating how management and landscape patterns influence the bird community in order to identify potential threats to its conservation. The study was conducted in the Site of Community Importance of Serra de Monfurado were 70% of the area is cork and holm oaks. We used data from 120 10-min point counts. Using variation partitioning, we determined the independent and joint effects of Forest, Management and Habitat variables. The variation captured in bird assemblage was 65.06%. Most of the explained variation was related to the Habitat and Management variables. The explanatory variables that were high-lighted as important predictors were variables that reflected tree and shrub density and cork removal. Modelling for forest species through generalized linear models (GLM) emphasize that the management plays an important role in the species distribution. The most important variables selected in models reflected cattle grazing and cork removal. Our results point out that the type of management is crucial to maintain the equilibrium in bird community associated to montados. Farmland and forest species will benefit from areas with different tree densities, small patches of Mediterranean scrubs in the understory and correct livestock numbers.     

Agroforestry systems in the highlands of the Tehuacán Valley,Mexico: indigenous cultures and biodiversity conservation

In this study we analysed: (1) the biodiversity conservation capacity of Agroforestry Systems (AFS) in temperate highlands of the Tehuacán–Cuicatlán Valley, Central Mexico, (2) human cultural motives and actions for conserving such diversity and (3) problems endangering that capacity. We evaluated the richness and diversity of perennial plant species maintained in AFS through vegetation sampling of 14 agricultural plots and compared their composition with that of natural forests (14 plots of 500 m² each). We examined the situations among communities of Náhuatl, Ixcatec and Cuicatec people, documenting through interviews the management practices of plant species and the whole system, reasons why people maintain vegetation cover within AFS, and factors influencing changes in decisions favouring agriculture intensification. In the AFS studied we recorded a total of 79 species of trees and shrubs, 86 % of them being native species and representing 43 % of all species of trees and shrubs recorded in the sampling of the natural forests the AFS derive from. People leave standing on average a total of 40 individual trees and shrubs per agricultural plot. Reasons for leave plant species standing were more frequently associated with their use as fruit trees, firewood, shade, beauty, respect to nature and other environmental benefits. Water availability for irrigation, land tenure, and dependence on agriculture and forest for peasant's subsistence were main decision factors influencing AFS variation in their composition. AFS in temperate zones are important reservoirs of biodiversity and biocultural heritage and should be keystones for conservation policies in the Tehuacán–Cuicatlán Valley.     

A simultaneous estimation procedure for the parameters of the maximum size–density line and self-thinning curve to predict stand development of fast-growing tropical species

A simultaneous estimation procedure for the parameters of two functions, i.e., the maximum size–density line and the self-thinning curve, is presented to predict stand development for fast-growing tropical species. This procedure assumes that the rate of periodic reduction in stand density with increasing quadratic mean diameter on a logarithmic scale (r) will increase inversely proportionally to the distance from the maximum size–density line and consequently equals the slope of the line at distance 0. Under this assumption, the maximum size–density line can be incorporated into the self-thinning curve to form an integrated equation with three parameters: k and m, the slope and constant of the maximum size–density line, and a, the rate of reduction of r of the self-thinning curve. These parameters are estimated simultaneously using measurement data on stand density, quadratic mean diameter, and the corresponding r. This procedure was evaluated by application to two data sets: 186 measurements of Acacia mangium and 95 measurements of Paraserianthes falcataria, for which the parameters k and m have previously been calculated. The parameters estimated using this procedure were in good agreement with previous ones based on the A. mangium data set, and the differences found for the P. falcataria data set were also small, within the error variances. Therefore, it is concluded that the proposed procedure would give almost the same estimates from a single calculation step as the previous procedure that required two separate calculation steps.     

Back to the roots: how do seedlings of native tree species react to the competition by exotic species?

Context

Identifying the traits of exotic species may explain their invasiveness and help control the negative impacts of these species on native ecosystems. In this study, we investigated root competition as an important driver for the competitiveness of two exotic tree species in the seedling stage.

Aims

In a pot experiment, carried out in Central Europe, we studied the effect of root competition of two exotic tree species (Prunus serotina Ehrh. and Robinia pseudoacacia L.) on biomass allocation of two native ones (Quercus robur L. and Carpinus betulus L.).

Methods

Seedlings of these species were exposed to intra- and interspecific mixtures with and without the effect of root competition. For this, belowground plastic partitions were installed in the pots.

Results

Competition intensity in the pots increased over time, irrespective of mixture type. However, this increase was much higher for the native species if mixed with the exotic species compared to monocultures or inter-native mixtures. In addition to ontogeny, competition affected biomass allocation patterns. Under root competition by the exotic species, the native species preferentially allocated their biomass to the roots. A higher allocation to the roots was mainly achieved at the expense of leaf and branch biomass.

Conclusion

Root competition of P. serotina and R. pseudoacacia may be a reason for the lack of Q. robur and C. betulus in the seedling stage in natural environments where all four species occur.     

How to move companies to source responsibly? German implementation of the European Timber Regulation between persuasion and coercion

Mitigating international trade in illegally harvested wood (products) is an international priority. To support this priority, the European Timber Regulation prohibits placing illegally harvested or traded timber on the EU market, requiring companies to undertake due diligence in sourcing wood (products). To take effect, this regulation needs to be implemented in all European member states.Although Germany is one of the first member states to transpose and enact the regulation's provisions, its implementation has recently been portrayed as “weak” and ineffective. This article aims to answer why this perception emerged. It scrutinizes implementation performance of the EUTR in Germany.Based on rich empirical data from stakeholder interviews, documents, and participant observation, this study argues that EUTR performance in Germany is not generally perceived as ineffective. Instead, stakeholder perceptions vary. As stakeholders face major uncertainties connected to market structure and company behaviour, they tend to base their assumptions about the implementation process on two major heuristics. Both focus on the question how to change company behaviour. One stresses the need to pursuade companies to comply, the other stresses the need to coerce them. These heuristics are based on the two larger objectives pursued by different stakeholder groups during policy making of the EUTR: (1) global sustainable forest management and (2) image improvement of the EU wood importing industry.Based on these different policy objectives, the EUTR does not provide clear guidance on which policy instruments should be given priority. As a consequence, national implementation is turned into a policy-making process. The outcome of this struggle will likely affect the future trajectory of EUTR implementation in other EU member states and in countries exporting wood into the EU.     

Vulnerability to drought-induced cavitation of riparian cottonwoods in Alberta: a possible factor in the decline of the ecosystem?

Vulnerability of xylem to loss of hydraulic conductivity caused by drought-induced cavitation was determined for three riparian cottonwood species in Lethbridge, Alberta: Populus deltoides Bartr., P. balsamifera L., and P. angustifolia James. These species suffered 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity in one-year-old stem segments when xylem pressure potential fell to -0.7 MPa for P. deltoides and -1.7 MPa for P. balsamifera and P. angustifolia, making them the three most vulnerable tree species reported so far in North America. The possible contribution of drought-induced xylem dysfunction to the decline of riparian ecosystems in dammed rivers is discussed.     

Correction to: Breeding and scientific advances in the fight against Dutch elm disease: Will they allow the use of elms in forest restoration?

New Forests - Author had ordered for open access after the article went online in Springer link. The article was changed to open access article.