Impacts of participatory forest management on forest conditions: Evidences from Gebradima Forest,southwest Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

This study examines a participatory forest management program and its impacts on forest conditions in Gebradima Forest, southwest Ethiopia. Vegetation data were collected from both participatory forest management (PFM) and nonparticipatory forest management (non-PFM) forest blocks. A total of 54 plots (27 from each forest block) measuring 20 m × 20 m were employed to collect species composition and structural data. Results indicated that a total of 51 different woody plant species (49 at PFM and 43 at non-PFM blocks), representing 31 families were recorded, with 41 species were shared for both forest sites. Species diversity and evenness were higher in the forest with PFM (H´ = 3.29, E = .85) compared to the forest without PFM (H´ = 2.97, E = .79). The overall mean values of tree/shrub and seedling density per hectare, diameter class (≤ 20 cm) were also significantly (p < .05) higher in PFM forest than non-PFM forests. However, no significant variations were observed in sapling density per hectare and basal area between the two studied forest blocks. It can be concluded that PFM had a positive effect on forest conditions compared with a similar forest without PFM. Hence, it is important to scaling up PFM in neighboring forests.     

Evaluating the effects of forest management on rockfall protection and timber production at slope scale

We used the coupled forest and rockfall model PICUS Rock’n’Roll, linking a hybrid forest patch model and a 3D rockfall model, to assess the effects of four management scenarios (BAU: business as usual age class shelterwood approach; PFM1 and PFM2: rockfall protection management scenarios with slit-shaped gaps; NOM: no management scenario without any active silvicultural intervention) on rockfall protection and timber production on a 38 ha slope over 100 years. Compared to PFM1 and PFM2, we found slightly more harvested timber for the BAU scenario (BAU: 6.7 m³ha^?1yr^?1, PFM: 5.7–5.9 m³ha^?1yr^?1), but lower contribution margins (BAU: 55 €ha^?1yr^?1, PFM: 113–115 €ha^?1yr^?1). Overall, depending on rock size and forest state, 30–70% of the simulated rocks that would otherwise hit the road at the foot of the slope were stopped by the forest. While the PFM scenarios maintained a high rockfall protection level over 100 years (PE between 45–64%) the BAU showed periods of reduced protection (PE between 26–65%). The NOM scenario maintained favorable conditions in the beginning, but declining protection efficiency in the last decades of the century (PE 49–63%). We conclude that rockfall protection management can outperform BAU with regard to both timber production and rockfall protection.     

Carbon Storage on Non-industrial Private Forestland: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Leading scientific experts in the field of climate change suggest that a multifaceted response to global warming should include the use of forest carbon offsets (also known as forest sinks). Emerging emissions reduction legislation in the United States (US) accounts for this recommendation by allowing for carbon offsets derived from domestic forestry projects (e.g. reforestation, afforestation, avoided deforestation). Given that the majority of US forestland is privately owned and non-industrial, the current research employs a behavioral model to measure intentions of private non-industrial forestland owners to participate in carbon sequestration and trading. Results suggest that very few (5.1 %) of these forestland owners are currently involved in carbon sequestration and trading, but half (50.4 %) were at least somewhat interested in exploring opportunities to do so. The Theory of Planned Behavior, acting as the theoretical frame of reference, was extended in the current research to include environmental orientation, innovativeness, perceived risk and tested knowledge, all of which had significant effects on core model constructs: attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and behavioral intentions. The extended model explained a significant amount of the variance related to behavioral intentions to sequester carbon on private US forestland (R² = .53).     

Carbon stock of Banja forest in Banja district,Amhara region,Ethiopia: An implication for climate change mitigation

This study estimates the carbon stock of Banja Forest which is natural and dry Afromontane forest type in Banja District, northwest of Ethiopia. A systematic sampling method was used to identify each sampling point through the Global Positioning System. A total of 63 plots measuring 20 × 20 m were employed to collect tree species and soil data. Losses on ignition and the Walkley–Black method were used to estimate biomass and soil carbon stock, respectively. The carbon stock of trees was estimated using an allometric equation. The results revealed that the total carbon stock of the forest was 639.87 t/ha whereas trees store 406.47 t/ha, litter, herbs, and grasses (LHGs) 2.58 t/ha and soil 230.82 t/ha (up to 30 cm depth). The carbon pools’ carbon stock variation with altitude and slope gradients were not significant (p > 0.05) which was similar to other previous studies. The Banja Forest is a reservoir of high carbon and thus acts as a great sink of the atmospheric carbon. It can be concluded that the Forest plays a role in climate change mitigation. Hence, it should be integrated with reduced emission from deforestation and degradation (REDD⁺) and the clean development mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol to catch monetary benefits.     

Spatial and temporal dynamics of Pai forest vegetation in Pakistan assessed by RS and GIS

Pai, an arid forest in Sindh Province of Pakistan,is important for the environmental, social, economic development and conservation of ecosystems of the province. Considering the significance of the forest for Sindh and the calls from the local population for its deforestation,we quantified the spatial and temporal variation in the vegetation of the forest and land surface temperature(LST)using optical and thermal Landsat satellite data. Our analysis of temporal(1987–2014) images with Arc GIS10.1 revealed that the dense forest area was greatest at725 ha(37 % of the total forest area) during 2013 while it was smallest at 217 ha(11 %) in 1992. The sparse forest area peaked during 1987 at 1115 ha(58 %) under shrubs whereas it was smallest at 840 ha(43 %) in 1992, and the maximum deforestation of Pai forest occurred during 1992.Spatial change in vegetation over a period of about27 years(1987–2014) revealed that vegetation increased on an area of 735 ha(37 %), decreased on 427 ha(22 %),and there was no change on 808 ha(41 %) of the forest.Variation in temperature between shaded(dense forest) and unshaded areas(bare land) of the forest was from 6 to10 °C. While the temperature difference between areas with sparse forest and bare land ranged from 4 to 6 °C. An inverse relationship between LST and NDVI of Pai forest with coefficients of determination of 0.944 and 0.917 was observed when NDVI was plotted against minimum and maximum LST, respectively. The vegetation in the forest increased with time and the areas of more dense Pai forest supported lower surface temperature and thus air temperature.     

广东省违法违规使用林地问题与对策研究

广东省违法违规使用林地的主要问题表现在毁林采矿、重点工程项目未批先占、毁林开垦、毁林建坟等方面.文中分析问题发生的原因,指出特点:突发性、复杂性、尖锐性、艰巨性、长期性.提出应对措施:提前介入重点工程项目使用林地,积极配合做好补充耕地工作,规范征占用林地审核审批管理,加强基层林地管理人员技术培训,加大对违法违规使用林地行为的打击力度等.     

Assessment of Carbon Balance in Community Forests in Dolakha, Nepal

This study assessed the net above-ground carbon stock in six community forests in the Dolakha district, Nepal. A survey was conducted of above-ground timber species, using random sampling. A tree-ring chronology for Pinus roxburghii was created to construct a growth model representative of the various mainly-pine species. The allometric model combined with tree ring analysis was used to estimate carbon stock and annual growth in the above-ground tree biomass. The out-take of forest biomass for construction material and fuelwood was estimated on the basis of interviews and official records of community forest user groups. The average annual carbon increment of the community forests was 2.19 ton/ha, and the average annual carbon out-take of timber and fuelwood was 0.25 ton/ha. The net average carbon balance of 1.94 ton/ha was equivalent to 117.44 tons of carbon per community forest annually. All the community forests were actively managed leading to a sustainable forest institution, which acts as a carbon sink. It is concluded that community forests have the potential to reduce emissions by avoiding deforestation and forest degradation, enhance forest carbon sink and improve livelihoods for local communities.     

Land Use After Forestland Allocation and the Potential for Farm Forestry in a Mountainous Region of Northeast Vietnam

As a response to serious deforestation in Vietnam, the forestland allocation (FLA) policy was introduced in the 1990s. The process still continues, having allocated 80% of the forestland to various management entities, among which individual households are the most important one for production forests. While previous studies focusing on local livelihoods reveal negative impacts of the FLA, particularly in the initial stage, studies on forest cover change as well as government statistics indicate positive changes in the longer term. We focused on micro-scale land use change after the FLA, and selected two upland villages with different accessibility in the Northeast region of Vietnam. Though the FLA was initiated in 1995 in both villages, the government reforestation program first reached Village G with paved road, and they did second planting. However, forestland recipients in Village A, with no paved road, also planted timber species as soon as the program was introduced. Though the mean allocated areas in Village A was larger than that of Village G, the mean of tree plantation areas was comparable, 1.39 ha (SE?=?1.09) in Village A and 1.38 ha (SE?=?1.01) in Village G. These results suggest that government support is a determinant of the timing and area of tree planting activities. After the FLA, one of the next policy challenges is how to make small-scale farm forestry financially independent.     

Effects of legal regulations on land use change: 2/B applications in Turkish forest law

For the countries struggling with climate change, sustainable forestry is one of the greatest challenges and is difficult to define, implement, and to measure. According to the scientific community’s consensus on climate change, forests are one of the major sinks and sustainable forest management (SFM) is needed to prevent deforestation and its negative effects on natural ecosystems. Despite being a party to many international treaties/agreements related to land use policies (LUP) that are promoting SFM to protect and develop forest resources, the 2/B application in Turkish forest legislation has been causing deforestation in Turkey since the 1970s.

In this study, 2/B applications–political and legal process–causing deforestation by land use change (LUC) are investigated by carrying out a legal analysis. About 500.000 ha of forests have been lost due to the 2/B application and as a LUP directly affects SFM, carbon sequestration capacities (CSC), and therefore, climate change. To exemplify this pre and post-LUC change and effect, the amount of carbon that was prevented from being absorbed as 176,7 tonnes/ha on average in a given forest area for the year 2016. There is a vital need to address the negative effects of ill-defined forest legislation to achieve SFM.     

Analysis of three crucial elements of REDD+ in participatory forest management

Abstract

It is claimed that reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD) could contribute to sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks as well as having the potential to deliver significant social and environmental co-benefits (+). From the perspectives of local factors and broader governance issues related to REDD+, this study aims to explore findings related to three crucial elements, commitment, transparency and continuity, implemented jointly with participatory forest management in Tanzania in the case of the REDD+ mechanism. This paper argues that commitment and transparent systems are needed at village level, as well as at the various levels of forest governance and among the donors, in order for REDD+ benefits to be shared equitably at the REDD+ project level. Any REDD+ project should include safeguards that recognise and protect the continuity of multipurpose functions of the forest to local people and avoid dependence on external payments.     

Equity Mechanisms in Traditional Forest Management Systems: A Case Study of Loita Forest in Kenya

Equity in forest resources access remains a key challenge. In Kenya this was exacerbated by the application of command and control management approaches. The introduction of Participatory Forest Management (PFM) in 1997 has started changing this scenario. The main objective of this study was to determine the equity mechanisms practiced under Traditional Community Based Forest Management (TCBFM), a traditional form of participatory forest management in Loita forest. An assessment of the impact of this management approach showed that equity and pro poor practices were inherent in Loita forest, where TCBFM was being implemented. The approach facilitated the poor to build up assets through relatives contributing to their livelihood assets. This was sustained through traditional support systems that are interwoven with forestry management. A majority of the community members interviewed perceived that the importance of the forest to household livelihood had been increasing since 1995. An increase in household assets since 1995 was associated with household participation in Traditional Community Based Natural Resources Management (TCBNRM). A majority (93%) of the households who were members of TCBNRM indicated grazing as the benefit. There was a general perception that participation in this form of PFM contributed to improvement of economic, physical, natural, human, social, and political capitals at the household and community levels.     

Rural participatory buffer zone management in northeastern Thailand

The past protected area management system which emphasized the ownership and control of forest by the state and overlooked the interaction between human and resources has failed because the annual rate of deforestation in Thailand is still as high as 2.6%. This paper aims to introduce a new approach to protected area management that would involve local people in the process. A case of buffer zone management through collaborative efforts is examined here. The project is located at the southeastern corner of the buffer zone of Phu Kheio Wildlife Sanctuary, Northeastern Thailand. Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques including secondary data study, physical survey, participatory meeting, and semi-structured interviewing were employed in data gathering. The results discussed here suggest that there is a chance to create a better understanding among rural people of the importance of afforestation and nature conservation that will lead to a better management of resources in the future.     

How Can Participatory Forest Management Cooperatives be Successful in Forest Resources Conservation? An Evidence From Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

In many parts of the world, community-based approaches to forest management have been evolving after recognizing that the top-down approach impedes conserving forests effectively. In Ethiopia also, local communities have been involved in participatory forest management (PFM) arrangements for better conservation of forest resources. However, the achievements in improving forest conservation outcomes have been mixed, while some PFMs are successful, others are not. Using data collected from 42 PFM cooperatives from Metema and Quara districts in Amhara dry forest region of Ethiopia, this study seeks to examine the variables that explain the variations in the performances of PFM cooperatives in forest conservation. The study has found that the performance of the PFM cooperatives depends on the key attributes of users, physical resources, and institutions and these attributes explain best for the success of PFMs. Therefore, the study suggests that these attributes along with the external factors like government policy must be given due importance while designing PFM arrangement. Moreover, just to highlight the impact of the external factors, the government policy like the resettlement program must be reconsidered; while the expansion of trade and infrastructure must be encouraged in order to strengthen the performance of PFMs and achieve forest conservation.     

Differences in forest management practices in Primorsky Krai: Case study of certified and non-certified by Forest Stewardship Council forest concessions

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) aims to promote environmentally responsible forest management globally. However, quantifiable evidence of effects of FSC on forest management practices is lacking. FSC has been present in the Russian forestry arena for over 20 years. In this case study, we compare ecological indicators of forest management in FSC-certified and non-certified companies in Primorsky Krai of the Russian Far East. Those indicators include percent of forest cover loss and gain on forest concessions managed by three certified and three non-certified companies. We also interview a range of stakeholders involved with forest management or in forest policy planning in Russia to provide context for this case study. Results indicate no difference between certified and non-certified companies with regard to forest cover loss from 2008 to 2015 or forest cover gain from 2000 to 2012. Stakeholder interviews reveal that while forest certification is viewed positively and considered an efficient mechanism to improve forest management, the stakeholders doubt its ability to stimulate quantifiable changes in forest management practices in Russia and the Far East specifically. We focus on Primorsky Krai because of its unique geographic location, where its neighbors China and Japan significantly influence Primorsky Krai’s export market.     

The effects of different types of management,functions, and characteristics of stands in Polish forests on the amount of coarse woody debris

In the modern forestry paradigm, many factors influence the amount of coarse woody debris (CWD). The present paper analyzes the effects of both local (national) programs (special functions of forests) and European programs (Natura 2000 sites), as well as the individual characteristics of forest stands. The study was conducted on 2,752 sampling plots distributed over an area of about 17,500 ha and located in lowland stands having a species composition typical of large areas in central Europe. Natura 2000 areas contained significantly more CWD (8.4 m³/ha) than areas not covered by the program (4.8 m³/ha). However, this is due to the fact that Natura 2000 sites involve well-preserved forest areas, such as nature reserves (26.6 m³/ha). In the managed forests that have been covered by the Natura 2000 program over the past several years, the volume of CWD has not increased. Forests with ecological and social functions differed slightly in the amount of CWD. More CWD occurred in protected animal areas (8.7 m³/ha) than in stands damaged by industry (3.9 m³/ha). Intermediate CWD levels were found in water-protection forests and in forests located around cities and military facilities. In managed forests, the lowest CWD volume was observed in middle-aged stands. The species composition of the stand had little effect on the volume of CWD. Only stands with a predominance of ash and alder had higher CWD levels (13.5 m³/ha). More CWD was found in stands whose species composition did not represent the potential site quality (6.4 m³/ha) than in habitats with the optimum species composition (3.8 m³/ha). CWD volume should be systematically increased taking into consideration local natural conditions. Such efforts should be focused on particularly valuable regions, and especially on Natura 2000 sites, where the threshold values reported from other European forests should be reached. Leaving some trees to die naturally and retaining reasonable amounts of such trees ought to be incorporated into CWD management practice in Poland.     

Rich deciduous forests in Bia owie a as a dynamic mosaic of developmental phases: premises for nature conservation and restoration management

The Bia owie a Primeval Forest, Poland, is the only forest area in temperate Europe where large tracts of natural forest communities have been conserved. The concept of silvatic mosaic [Oldeman, R.A.A., 1990. Forests: Elements of Silvology. Springer, Berlin] was applied in order to characterise the structure of stands representing oak–lime–hornbeam forest in both, the restricted area of Bia owie a National Park (BNP) and the commercial forests (CF), as well as to indicate a holistic approach towards protection and restoration of natural areas.Six developmental phases of stands were distinguished and defined: regeneration, young, pole, late pole, optimal, and terminal. Compositional and structural differences between the first five phases were also evaluated and visualised. Moreover, the considerable differences between analogous phases in BNP and CF were found. The uniform stand patches were mapped into two plots in BNP (25 ha each) and two in CF (25 and 20 ha), with a resolution of 10 m× 10 m pixels.The mosaic composition of natural communities indicates close-to-the equilibrium stage: the biostatic optimal phase occupies 33–40% of the area, while aggradational younger phases share nearly the same portion of the area as the senescent phase does. Although small, 0.01–0.04 ha eco-units dominate in BNP, there is a considerable portion of intermediate and large patches, indicating a complex character of factors responsible for the mosaic structure of natural stands in BNP. Both, composition and texture analyses indicate that the area of 25 ha is close to the minimum structure area specific for the communities studied.The comparison of natural and managed stands revealed large deficits of the optimal phase (only 19%) and a total absence of the terminal one in the managed area (20–35% in natural forest). Also the mosaic texture of CF plots was simplified because of standardisation of the management unit size. The modification of developmental phases, mosaic composition, and structure must lead to changes in the dynamics of the entire community. The present study demonstrates that the natural forest should be considered as a dynamic supersystem, covering a sufficient area to allow the developmental phases to perform in correct proportions. Because of differences in the durability of various phases, the natural cycle of forest development has an asynchronous and highly unpredictable character. Indeed, the applicability of multipurpose forestry rules as a tool of nature conservation has been questioned. An absolute ban on cutting in the remaining old-growth stands should be a basic rule for the restoration management.     

Forest management and conservation before and after the introduction of village participatory land use plans in the Kilosa district REDD+ initiative,Tanzania

The use of Village Participatory Land Use Plan (VPLUP) model as a natural resource management and conservation tool has been growing recently. This study examined the premise under which VPLUPs implementation can enhance the management and conservation of Village Land Forest Reserves (VLFRs) in the context of Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation plus (REDD+) initiative in the Kilosa district of Tanzania. A mixed method research design, which integrates participatory community mapping (PCM), focus group discussions (FGDs), key informants interviews (KIIs), direct observations, and household interviews were used in data collection. The results showed that there were significant (p < 0.05) improvements in forest management and conservation indicators after VPLUPs implementation, and increase in the management and conservation activities carried out by the community after the implementation of VPLUPs. There was also a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in almost all uses of the forest after the implementation of VPLUPs. The findings provide evidence that the VPLUP model has potential for enhancing the management and conservation of forests in the context of REDD+ strategy. Thus, it is argued that VPLUP can be used as a forest management and conservation tool to facilitate the implementation of the REDD+ initiatives.     

Distribution patterns of tree,understorey, and detritus biomass in coniferous and broad-leaved forests of Western Himalaya,India

Forest biomass pools are the major reservoirs of atmospheric carbon in both coniferous and broad-leaved forest ecosystems and thus play an important role in regulating the regional and global carbon cycle. In this study, we measured the biomass of trees, understorey, and detritus in temperate (coniferous and broad-leaved) forests of Kashmir Himalaya. Total ecosystem dry biomass averaged 234.2 t/ha (ranging from 99.5 to 305.2 t/ha) across all the forest stands, of which 223 t/ha (91.9–283.2 t/ha) were stored in above- and below-ground biomass of trees, 1.3 t/ha (0.18–3.3 t/ha) in understorey vegetation (shrubs and herbaceous), and 9.9 t/ha (4.8–20.9 t/ha) in detritus (including standing and fallen dead trees, and forest floor litter). Among all the forests, the highest tree, understorey, and detritus biomass were observed in mid-altitude Abies pindrow and Pinus wallichiana coniferous forests, whereas the lowest were observed in high-altitude Betula utilis broad-leaved forests. Basal area has showed significant positive relationship with biomass (R² = 0.84–0.97, P < 0.001) and density (R² = 0.49–0.87). The present study will improve our understanding of distribution of biomass (trees, understorey, and detritus) in coniferous and broad-leaved forests and can be used in forest management activities to enhance C sequestration.