Collective Forest Management Research Articles

Opportunities and Challenges of Forest Development in Ethiopia

Forests are essential for life on earth. They are not really simply the green cover; we require beautifying the earth. This research review aimed to overview the forest development opportunities and the challenges for forest development in Ethiopia. Published documents, reports from governments and non-governmental organizations on collective forest management were found via keyword searches in relevant literature data banks were used as data source materials. The global forest is declining at a rate of 13 million ha in each year. Tropical forest decline is particularly severe in Africa, Brazil and Indonesia. For example, Africa has lost around 3.4 million ha per year between 2000 and 2010. Ethiopia is thought to be losing 140,000 ha per year. Deforestation, which is occurring at an alarming rate, is one of such problems and a key factor challenging forest development. Deforestation, agricultural expansion and lack of strong coordinating forestry institutions are some of the challenges for forest development in Ethiopia. The causes of deforestation and forest degradation are dynamics, complex, and vary from place to place. There are several reasons for the depletion of forest resources, the following are considered major: Increases in population and consequent increases in the demand for agricultural land, settlements around forest areas, encroachments, forest fires, ranges of political, cultural, and socio-economic factors. Technical advances in energy efficiency are critical for developing countries like Ethiopia whose populations depend primarily on biomass fuels and Reduce demand for fuelwood via the dissemination and usage of fuel-efficient stoves and/or alternative-fuel cooking and the collaboration of researchers, educators, and developmental extensions are needed to rehabilitate the degraded forest land.

Determinants of Bamboo Deforestation in Benishangul Gumuz Region, Ethiopia

In Benishangul-Gumuz, one of the nine regional states of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, bamboo considered as an important cash crop; while serves as immediate source of income. However, currently, despite its importance in sustaining the livelihood of farmers, the depletion of bamboo forest appears to be a serious problem. Previous studies have examined the causes and processes of bamboo deforestation in this particular area. Yet, they are deficient in several respects particularly in prioritizing and substantiating the effects of each variables that determine the deforestation. As a result, little is known regarding factors influencing the magnitude of bamboo deforestation. The present study aimed at estimating the intensity of bamboo deforestation and identifying the deriving factors that contributed for the depletion of the forest. To this end, the study utilized cross-sectional survey to select 384 households, through multistage stratified random sampling and purposive sampling. Also, focus group discussions and key informant interview were employed to gather data from farmers, members cooperatives, employees and experts. Descriptive and econometric analyses were employed to analyze the data. Then, the results of thr has showed, between the years of 2009 and 2013 averagely about 0.014 hectare of bamboo forest was deforested and converted to agricultural land. These implies that if this pattern continues the entire bamboo stock of the region will be lost within a short period of time. Of the fourteen explanatory variables, that included in the Tobit regression model eight were significantly affected the intensity of bamboo deforestation, with predicted probability of 0.158 hectare per annum. Ownership of oxen, shifting cultivation and perception towards the nature of bamboo forest were the three major factors seem to have contributed positively to the intensity of bamboo deforestation; whereas, gender of the heads the households, family size, proximity to bamboo forest, duration in residence and participation in collective forest management action influenced the situation negatively. Policies for restraining the pace of deforestation should be enforced. Keywords: Bamboo deforestation, Tobit, Benishangul Gumuz region, Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/84-04 Publication date: April 30 th 2022

Private vs. Community Management Responses to De-Collectivization: Illustrative Cases from China

Over the last several decades, China has undergone several distinct episodes of collectivization and de-collectivization of forest property rights. China’s latest round of collective forest property reforms, launched in 2003, have promoted individual land holding and management, reviving the longstanding debate on whether privatization would improve profits, rural welfare, and forest management. To uncover reasons for different institutional choices in response to land reform and their effects on forest management, we present two cases, from villages in Guizhou and Yunnan provinces. At the local level, these concepts are confronted by diverse groups of actors and management systems with complex arrangements concerning property and forest use rights. As reforms unfold, they are implemented to differing extents and in various manners, reflecting unique socio-ecological and historical contexts, social relations, community dynamics, and global economic trends. Key factors affecting outcomes were prior traditions, social cohesion, and market incentives to manage resources. In the Guizhou case, with a history of private ownership by people of different social groups and a reliance on restricted timber resources, reforms resulted in a fragmented forest management system. In the Yunnan case, a tradition of collective forest management by a tight-knit social group and access to a lucrative non-timber product resulted in a new and effective collective management system. These findings are important to inform policies on forest property in China and beyond as they call into question a link between privatization and marketization favoring effective resource management.

Application of Ostrom’s Social-Ecological Systems Framework in Nature Reserves: Hybrid Psycho-Economic Model of Collective Forest Management

Nature reserves (NRs) are complex social-ecological systems (SESs). In China, many collective forests (CFs), owned by villagers, are bound within NRs. This paper aimed at carrying out a dynamic analysis of three case studies of CF management based on Ostrom’s SES conceptual framework. The hybrid psycho-economic model is designed within this context and tested. Results indicate that CF management is determined jointly by the interaction of all levels of governance based on subsystem characteristics (i.e., resource system, resource units, and actor system) specific to the local social, economic, and political settings. Use of the hybrid psycho-economic model compares one classified harmonious NR scenario with two conflictual ones. The model indicated the scenario with the harmonious NR as having less CF value at the resource level, less dependence on villagers for CF resources, stronger environmental awareness, lower levels of involvement from new actors, overarching governance control (i.e., by the NR administration), greater levels of self-organization (i.e., within villages), and augmented economic compensation and regulation from outside influences. The conflict-oriented NRs mostly revealed opposite sets of interaction. Different public policies, including the ecosystem service payment, are recommended for improving management of CFs in NRs.

Appropriateness of Allowable Cutting Volume under the Collective Forest Management Plan System

Appropriateness of Allowable Cutting Volume under the Collective Forest Management Plan System

Incentive of the Collective Forest Management Plan System (Academic Article )

Incentive of the Collective Forest Management Plan System (Academic Article )

What explains the demand for collective forest rights amidst land use conflicts?

This article presents one of the first empirical studies of the demand for collective forest rights by forest-dependent groups locked in longstanding conflicts with government forestry agencies, which is a common feature of forested regions in the Global South. This analysis shows that (1) past engagements with community-based forest protection help foster demand for collective forest management rights despite the longstanding land use conflicts; (2) large areas of forest land affected by land use conflicts undermine the propensity of community groups to demand collective forest rights; (3) after the area affected by land use conflicts is controlled for, a larger number of land rights claimants is associated with a greater probability that a village group will claim collective forest rights; and (4) micro-institutional variables, particularly financial autonomy of village groups engaged in forest protection efforts, are likely to be among the main drivers of the local demand for collective forest management rights. The main finding is that community-based forest management is not merely an agenda that is imposed from the top by donors. Rather, recognizing the agency of rural residents in the process of adjudication of land use conflicts and providing them with autonomous spaces for management of local resources is likely to significantly boost the local demand for environmental stewardship.

Whereabouts devolution and collective forest management?

Devolution in forestry generally refers to the transfer of some degree of central government authority to local responsibility. It commonly takes the form of recommendations by external advisors in developing country situations who encourage formally organized decision making by a local political community. This paper reviews the literature on local tenure, the summaries of case studies in forestry, and the broader history of experience with collectives and cooperatives with the objective of identifying the characteristic cases where some form of collective or community forest management might be successful. The paper identifies four cases. It concludes that, at some level, smaller groups of managers may cooperate in labor and capital intensive activities like fire control or harvesting, or in specialized activities beyond their personal expertise, activities like processing and marketing their products. Successful and sustainable community-wide collective enterprises seldom include agricultural or forest land—with the possible, and likely impermanent, exception of low-valued open access land beyond the perimeter of agricultural crops and managed forests.

Adjustment period and constrained maximum clearcutting volume in the new Collective Forest Management Plan System in Japan

Adjustment period and constrained maximum clearcutting volume in the new Collective Forest Management Plan System in Japan

Property Rights Effects on Farmers’ Management Investment in Forestry Projects: The Case of Camellia in Jiangxi, China

China’s central government has carried out a series of collectivization and de-collectivization attempts of forest tenure over time, which have led to multiple forest tenure arrangements within provinces. This paper investigates the motivation of farmers to maintain forestry under various forest tenure regimes. First, the paper provides a qualitative analysis of the different forest tenure regimes using the New Property Rights Theory. Second, an econometric analysis based on data from camellia projects in Jiangxi province is carried out. Camellia projects are long-term projects for the production of non-timber forest products which are important for rural income generation. Qualitative results of the research show that a multitude of different tenure regimes exist across forestry projects. Community-based or collective forest management regimes are the most important tenure regimes in forest management in Jiangxi province. Village communities and farmers are the main actors in forest resource management and investment in camellia projects in Jiangxi province. The results of the econometric analysis show that higher degrees of tenure security and residual claimancy for farm households lead to a higher use of household labor and capital within camellia forestry projects. Uncertainty about the future forestland distribution is an obstacle for household investments in forestry.

Institutional Challenges in Sustainable Forest Management: Evidence from the Gambella Regional State of Western Ethiopia

This article explores the ambiguity over property rights to forest resources in the Mejengir Zone of Gambella Regional State in western Ethiopia. Household surveys and focus group discussions were used as data collection tools. Results indicate that the complexities in forest management are mainly attributable to diversity in livelihoods as well as users’ heterogeneity in perceptions and actions. Ambiguity was created both through the process of decentralization in forest management and the demarcation of regional forest priority areas without public participation. The weakness of the state in undertaking effective supervision to overcome corruption has also exacerbated this problem. A lack of well-defined property rights has resulted in deforestation and loss of biodiversity, and unclear property rights, reflecting an ineffective local forest governance structure. The resulting behavioral uncertainty among users puts pressure on forest resources, which favors the conversion of forests into other land use models. State development programs were also found to be sources of ambiguity over property rights and thereby created challenges for collective forest management. Therefore, local institutional structures should be improved to help accommodate more traditional systems of forest management and to ensure sustainability in forest management practices.

Collective Forest Management System in Japan: a Case Study in Osawa Property Ward Forest

Iriai an Indigenous forest management system in Japan from the viewpoint of "common pool resources" was a success resilient institution and resulted with sustainable production system and environmental conservation. This study was conducted in Osawa of the Nagano prefecture through group discussions, field observations and an in-depth field survey. Osawa Property Ward Forest is managed under the concept very much similarly to traditional "Iriai". This study firstly examined the changes of collective forest management system in terms of awareness and interest in forest management; forest management activities; role of forest; and collection of forest products. Then it analyzed the current threats for collective forest management have been identified as: land abandonment due to loss of benefits and lack of active community participation; deterioration of forest environment particularly the micro-climate and aesthetic values; conflict with local government authorities restraining the use of money in property ward forest and conflict with outsiders on damping of the garbage. Community cantered forestry management rules; livelihood contribution; protection of environment; local initiatives for protection and economic activities are the prevailing opportunities for collective forest management. The main requirements for revitalization of collective forest management are explained as local reciprocity; imposition of community based forest rules; encouraging local innovations; and building partnerships with stakeholders. Collective forest management system addresses the limitations of conventional forestry models, which had invalidated traditional 'iriai' institutions, and key to restoring sustainable use of forest and environmental resources. Cross-institutional collaborations together with responsibilities of local communities would ensure the revitalization of forest resources.

Attitudes of local people towards collective action for forest management: the case of participatory forest management in Dodola area in the Bale Mountains, Southern Ethiopia

The theory of planned behaviour was applied to study the attitude and intention of households towards participating in collective forest management (tree planting) activity. Households were randomly selected from 22 forest user groups. The results indicate that the success of planting activities in terms of survival rate of seedlings has a strong effect in motivating households to participate in planting. Although households in general show a positive attitude and intention to participate in tree planting, there were significant differences among households on the basis of socio-economic characteristics. Dependence on crop income, possession of bigger farmlands and better physical assets, and higher education level are positively related to intention to participate in planting activity. On the other hand, dependence on forest income is negatively related to attitude and intention. A continuous exchange of ideas and information between user groups and the government counterparts that provide technical support and advice is recommended.

Willingness to contribute to collective forest management: Evidence from Godere in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia

This paper examines factors determining willingness to contribute to collective forest management at Godere Forest Priority Area in the Gambela Region of Ethiopia. Using data collected from 160 households, we tested a number of hypotheses. Results show that households that perceived destruction, a belief in beneficiaries’ responsibility for the forest management, participation in social institutions and governing council favorably determine willingness to contribute. Nevertheless, users’ characteristics (age, group membership, income from the forest) had negative effect on willingness. State-driven development and settlers’ activities had negatively affected indigenous people's use of forest, leading to a reduction in their willingness. This suggests the need to put effective property rights in place to cause a shift in users’ behavior.

Role of participatory forest management in rural livelihood improvement: a case of Nawalparasi district, Nepal

Nepal has implemented community forestry program since the 1970s. The initial goal of the program was to supply forest products to local people on a sustainable basis. However, the program found effective in improving the livelihood of local people, living near the forests in the course of implementation. The study aims to investigate the role of the community forestry program in rural livelihood improvement of local people. A household survey along with both formal and informal discussions was carried out for the study. The findings of the study revealed that the program is supporting to the people’s livelihood by providing firewood, fodder/grass, and timber on regular basis. In addition, the program collects community fund from both forestry and non-forestry sources, which has multiple effects to carry out forest management and community development activities. These activities are also equally supportive to improving the local people’s livelihood. Finally, the study concluded that community forestry program is not only effective for collective forest management, but also it is equally imperative for empowering the local people to seize forestry activities as a means of rural livelihood improvement.

Ensuring a future for collective forestry in China's southwest: Adding human and social capital to policy reforms

Worldwide, the potential of smallholder forestry to meet policymakers' economic and environmental objectives is gaining increased recognition. In Southwest China, a significant portion of forests are owned and managed by smallholder, village collectives. Decisions made now will determine whether the potential of collective forestry in Southwest China can be realized, or whether smallholder forests are ultimately consolidated into larger holdings. This analysis traces the history of collective forest management in four villages in northwest Yunnan, highlighting four issues fundamental to unlocking the potential of collective forestry: policy support, forestry approach, village institutions, and multi-scale governance. Policy reforms are necessary but not sufficient as a means to bring improvements in these four areas. Investments in human and social capital–linked to the process of building more formal institutions–are essential beside longer-term institutional change.

Iriaichi:Collective versus Individualized Management of Community Forests in Postwar Japan

Previous articleNext article No AccessIriaichi: Collective versus Individualized Management of Community Forests in Postwar JapanYoko Kijima Takeshi Sakurai Keijiro Otsuka Yoko KijimaMichigan State University Search for more articles by this author Takeshi SakuraiNational Research Institute of Agricultural Economics, Japan Search for more articles by this author Keijiro OtsukaTokyo Metropolitan University and International Food Policy Research Institute Search for more articles by this author Michigan State UniversityNational Research Institute of Agricultural Economics, JapanTokyo Metropolitan University and International Food Policy Research InstitutePDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by Economic Development and Cultural Change Volume 48, Number 4July 2000 Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/452481 Views: 52Total views on this site Citations: 15Citations are reported from Crossref © 2000 by The University of Chicago. All rights reserved.PDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Hiroyuki TAKESHIMA, Futoshi YAMAUCHI, Masahito ENOMOTO Agricultural, Economic, and Human Development: Joint Research Contributions of Japan and International Food Policy Research Institute, Japan Agricultural Research Quarterly: JARQ 55, no.SpecialSpecial (Dec 2021): 521–531.https://doi.org/10.6090/jarq.55.521Sarah Clement Cultural Landscapes and Novel Ecosystems, (Dec 2020): 145–185.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-60350-2_5Hellen Nansikombi, Richard Fischer, Rubén Ferrer Velasco, Melvin Lippe, Felix Kanungwe Kalaba, Gillian Kabwe, Sven Günter Can de facto governance influence deforestation drivers in the Zambian Miombo?, Forest Policy and Economics 120 (Nov 2020): 102309.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forpol.2020.102309Sanada Kie Institutional analysis of regionalism in Japan: a sociological case study from Owase, Japan, Japan Forum 32, no.22 (Jun 2019): 284–307.https://doi.org/10.1080/09555803.2019.1626471Daisuke Takahashi, Tsaiyu Chang, Mikitaro Shobayashi The role of formal and informal institutions in farmland consolidation: The case of Shiga Prefecture, Japan, International Journal of the Commons 12, no.22 (Aug 2018): xx–xx.https://doi.org/10.18352/ijc.829Eunju Lee, Marianne E. Krasny Adaptive Capacity in Community Forest Management: A Systematic Review of Studies in East Asia, Environmental Management 59, no.11 (Oct 2016): 34–49.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-016-0767-2Keijiro Otsuka, Ryo Takahashi, Ridish Pokharel In Search of Optimum Institutions for Forest Management, Journal of Sustainable Forestry 34, no.33 (Dec 2014): 300–314.https://doi.org/10.1080/10549811.2014.993085Narayan Raj Poudel, Nobuhiko Fuwa, Keijiro Otsuka The impacts of a community forestry program on forest conditions, management intensity and revenue generation in the Dang district of Nepal, Environment and Development Economics 20, no.22 (Jul 2014): 259–281.https://doi.org/10.1017/S1355770X14000473Nori Tarui The Role of Institutions in Natural Resource Use, (Jan 2015): 125–136.https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-800347-3.00008-XMangala Premakumara De Zoysa, Makoto Inoue, Utako Yamashita, Okuda Hironori Collective Forest Management System in Japan: a Case Study in Osawa Property Ward Forest, Journal of Forest Science 29, no.11 (Feb 2013): 58–70.https://doi.org/10.7747/JFS.2013.29.1.58Makiko Yashiro, Anantha Duraiappah, Nicolas Kosoy A Nested Institutional Approach for Managing Bundle Ecosystem Services: Experience from Managing Satoyama Landscapes in Japan, (Oct 2012): 191–205.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5176-7_10Stein T. Holden, Yuanyuan Yi, Xuemei Jiang, Jintao Xu Tenure Security and Investment Effects of Forest Tenure Reform in China, (Jan 2013): 256–282.https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137343819_11Stein T. Holden, Keijiro Otsuka, Klaus Deininger Conclusions, (Jan 2013): 380–395.https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137343819_16Ryo Takahashi, Yasuyuki Todo Impact of Community-Based Forest Management on Forest Protection: Evidence from an Aid-Funded Project in Ethiopia, Environmental Management 50, no.33 (Jun 2012): 396–404.https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-012-9887-5T. Sakurai, K. Palanisami Tank irrigation management as a local common property: the case of Tamil Nadu, India, Agricultural Economics 25, no.2-32-3 (Sep 2001): 273–283.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1574-0862.2001.tb00207.x