Non-industrial, smallholder, small-scale and family forestry: What’s in a name?

Abstract

This issue represents the launch of a new forestry journal, published under the auspices of IUFRO Working Unit 3.08.00 Small-scale Forestry and sponsored by Joensuu University (Finland) and The University of Queensland (Australia). This journal has come into being from deliberations over a number of years by the members of Working Unit 3.08. The choice of journal title and fields of interest involved much debate, creating a focus for resolving issues concerning the nature and scope of the journal, intended targeted audience and intended contributors. IUFRO Working Unit 3.08.00 - Small-scale Forestry - is dedicated to the dissemination of information on research problems, continuing research efforts and research results related to the management of small-scale non-industrial private forest woodlots. The group was formed in 1986 at the IUFRO XVIII World Congress held in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia. Since that time, the group has been highly active and has staged a series of well-attended and memorable annual symposia at diverse locations. This diversity is well illustrated by the groups most recent meetings being held in tropical northern Australia in summer in 2000 followed by next meeting in snow-covered Finland in late winter 2001. A strong sense of camaraderie has developed amongst members, hence there was strong sentiment in favour of the title Journal of Small-scale Forestry. It is apparent that small-scale forestry means different things in different countries, hence it was necessary to select a name which would give a clear indication on the scope of the journal for forest professionals and academia. Since choice of a journal title drives the perception of the journal to potential contributors and readers, this became a matter of serious debate amongst members of the small committee formed at the symposium in Joensuu in Finland in 2001 to provide directions for the proposed journal. This paper reports on some of the issues which were canvassed in arriving at a title and focus for the journal, summarises results of a survey of delegates at the Joensuu symposium of opinions about the desirable role and nature of the journal, and indicates the priority areas in which papers are sought.