Community Forest Management Research Articles

Community Forest Management and the Resilience of Karen Indigenous Knowledge in Northern Thailand.

This study investigates the resilience of indigenous knowledge in five Karen villages, located in Thailand's Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Lampang provinces, that have been recognized for best practices in community forest management (CFM). The CFM model was initiated by local communities to promote forest conservation and community engagement. Data on CFM practices, land-use rights, social networks, and indigenous knowledge were collected through 17 in-depth interviews and 5 focus group meetings. The findings include how these Karen communities have adopted payment for environmental services (PES) to fund conservation projects and social welfare. More specifically, PES generates social capital by facilitating coordination with stakeholders from the private sector, academia, and government. These social networks promote markets for local products and advocate for indigenous land-use rights. The PES model also serves as a tool whereby Indigenous Peoples can shape their identities as innovative forest guardians and legitimize their residence within the forest. Additionally, the study reports on how Karen people have diversified their livelihoods to include hosting academic tourism, handicrafts, and livestock, reducing their dependence on forest resources.

Users' Participation in Community Forest Management: A Comparative Study

Users' Participation in Community Forest Management: A Comparative Study

Intensification of Silviculture Techniques in Community Forest Management to Realize the Acceleration of SDG's Point 13: Handling Climate Change

Global climate change has become an urgent issue affecting land quality, especially forest areas. Forests are important in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon and storing greenhouse gases. Community forests, which are managed by communities on private land, have great potential to reduce carbon emissions. However, community forest management is still suboptimal due to limited knowledge of the application of effective silvicultural techniques. This study aims to provide recommendations for community forest management by intensifying silvicultural techniques, such as plant spacing and plant species selection, to reduce fire risk and support climate change mitigation. The method used was a systematic review of 30 relevant scientific articles. The literature used came from books and national and international journal articles accessed through Google Scholar, Springer and ScienceDirect databases. Articles were selected through a selection process based on the relevance of the title, abstract, and overall content. The results showed that a planting distance of 4×4 meters or 4×3 meters is the most optimal for tree growth and allows the implementation of an agroforestry system. In addition, plant species such as Swietenia macrophylla and Gliricidia sepium proved effective as fire barriers due to their evergreen characteristics that can reduce the amount of litter as fire fuel. In conclusion, intensive silvicultural techniques can increase the effectiveness of community forest management in sequestering carbon, reducing the risk of forest fires, and supporting climate change mitigation efforts. This research provides recommendations that community forest managers can apply to improve environmental sustainability.

UAV survey mapping of illegal deforestation in Madagascar

Societal Impact StatementUnmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imagery highlights the extent of illegal deforestation in protected areas for the biodiverse humid forest of central Madagascar. The ultra‐high‐resolution (<10‐cm pixel) images enable the creation of detailed forest 3D base maps and provide the means to quantify forest stand losses. To help communities safeguard their forests, local non‐governmental organisations can use UAV maps in combination with weekly deforestation alerts to facilitate an immediate on‐ground response that significantly restricts illegal activity. Integrating ultra‐high‐resolution UAV mapping and coarse‐resolution freely available satellite imagery should have much wider applications in Madagascar and the humid tropics for community‐based conservation.Summary This study of the Ambohimahamasina humid forest shows that small UAVs offer a detailed (<10‐cm pixel), rapid and cost‐effective solution to provide maps of detailed deforestation patterns not visible in satellite imagery. Calculating forest extent and volume are valuable ways to rapidly assess forest losses and prioritise areas for ground patrols. The use of 3‐dimensional measurements for above ground carbon estimates indicate how, in the future, these metrics could be used to calculate carbon payments for conservation programs. By combining UAV and free satellite imagery, an effective alert system has been developed that supports community initiatives in the protection of their natural forest resources. The wealth of ultra‐high‐resolution UAV data collected in this study provides insights into forest dynamics, supports local community forest management, and has the potential to measure the value of the forest.

Effectiveness of Community Forest Management as an Ecosystem-Based Adaptation Strategy in the Context of Nepal

Objectives: This study attempted to explore the effectiveness of community forest (CF) management as an ecosystem based adaptation (EbA) strategy in combating and adapting with the climate change impacts upon local ecosystems and communities. Method: In order to identify EbA options, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, governance and socioeconomic function of CF were analyzed. Effectiveness and sustainability were examined and compared through Land Use Land Cover (LULC) database during 1996 and 2021. Efficiency was explored through the economic valuation of provisioning and cultural services, using economic approach–revealed price (market price) method. Socioeconomic functions and governance were examined through the existing plans/policies and secondary data review. Findings: CF is effectively and sustainably managing the available resources. It has increased forest cover, water body, grassland and remarkable decline in bush and sand area. Bush area (79.25 ha in 1996) dropped (to 6.52 ha in 2021) while forest cover increased from 340.46 ha to 375.54 ha. Waterbody (pond or lake area) was limited to 0.88 ha that expanded to 5.04 ha in 2021 due to the conservation oriented management practices. Meanwhile, economic value of provisioning services is USD 7182 accounting wood and timber the highest (average annual USD 4800) among the provisioning services while average annual value of firewood and poles is USD 1367 and NTFP (fish and rubber) is USD 1015 whereas the economic value of cultural services is USD 18803. Novelty: The novelty of the research work lies in the unique methodology and the selection of CF for the EbA case study, which is least explored. By exposing the integration of ecological and socio-economic considerations, this research underscores the significance CF as EbA option in shaping sustainable development pathway in Nepalese context. Keywords: Ecosystem Services, Ecosystem Based Adaptation, Community Forest, Nepal, Land Management

Overview of Community Forest Management For Logging in The State of Amazonas

Objective: Present an overview of the licensing of community timber forest management activities in the State of Amazonas between the years 2000 and 2021. Theoretical Framework: This study is addresses the topic of community-based timber forest management. It presents its history and evolution in the Amazon, addressing the main implementation difficulties, supporting legislation and the quantification of initiatives in the region. Method: The present study is characterized by a qualitative and quantitative approach, using bibliographic and documentary research. A survey was carried out on community timber forest management activities in the State of Amazonas, using the information base provided by the Amazonas Environmental Protection Institute. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed that between 2000 and 2021, 100 environmental exploration licenses were issued for community logging forest management, with projects located in 11 municipalities in the State of Amazonas, with emphasis on Maraã, Santo Antônio do Iça and Uarini. The total volume of licensed wood for the period was 68,122.43 m3 and 10,242 trees were harvested, with emphasis on the species assacu (Hura crepitans L.), macacarecuia [Eschweilera albiflora (DC.) Miers] and mulateiro [Calycophyllum spruceanum (Benth.) K.Schum.]. Research Implications: Based on the understanding from bibliographical and documentary analyzes of community forest management activities, it is expected to contribute to the strengthening of a planning policy on the activity, both at the local and regional level. Originality/Value: There is no unifying source of data on community forest management in the State of Amazonas that can generate consistent and updated statistics in a timely manner. In this way, the research aims to contribute to strengthening the activity at both local and regional levels, making community timber forestry management not just a simple supplier of raw materials, but linked to a wood production chain, generating high-value-added products, with raw materials of legal origin.

Assessment of Species Composition, Diversity and Carbon Stock in a Community Managed Forest of Udaypur District of Nepal

Species composition, diversity, and carbon sock of forests are all critical factors that affect the ability of forests to provide various important ecosystem services. However, there is a notable dearth of research regarding these factors in the community forests of Udaypur district. Therefore, this research was undertaken to assess species composition, and biodiversity and quantify the carbon stock potential of the Sringar community forest (CF) of the Udaypur district of Eastern Nepal. A total of 57 circular plots of 500m2 were inventoried using a systematic random sampling method with 0.5 % sampling intensity. In the CF, 17 tree species from 15 genera and 11 families were identified. The dominant tree species, Shorea robusta observed with a maximum importance value index (IVI) (176.15). According to our study, the total biomass and carbon stock in Sringar CF were 276.98 ton ha-1 and 138.18 ton ha-1, respectively. Accurate estimation of soil carbon stocks is crucial for long-term forest management and climate change mitigation, and the integration of advanced monitoring techniques and predictive models to enhance accuracy and account for future climate projections is needed.

A multinomial logit model analysis of determinants of community forest management approaches: evidence from northern Ethiopia.

Abstract For efficient and sustainable forest management, community engagement and participation are crucial. Sustainable forest management requires decision-making, plantation, and management approaches, in addition to the importance of indigenous knowledge and community opinions. The study examined the determinants of community-based forest management practices in Ethiopian Raya-Alamata Woreda. A semi-structured questionnaire was given to 195 randomly chosen sample respondents as part of the survey in order to gather primary data. Additionally, key informants, development agents, woreda forest supervisors, and local administrators were interviewed. Secondary data were gathered from books, woreda agriculture office, and scientific publications. The data was analyzed using a multinomial logit model and descriptive statistics. The results showed that distance to the forest negatively influenced participation in decision-making, while sex, education, and TLU positively influenced it. Age, home proximity to the forest, market distance, and tropical livestock unit negatively influenced participation in plantation. Age, family size, forest location, and association membership positively influenced decision-making and management approaches. To promote all-inclusive forest management, the study recommends the distribution of forestry-related educational materials, legal action against illegal users, switching to alternative energy sources, and encouraging female-headed households.

Towards a more just approach to community forestry initiatives: Confronting contradictions, trade-offs, and threats to fairness

Community forest management (CFM) has gained prominence globally and shown great value as a community-based conservation approach to protecting and sustainably managing forest ecosystems while, at the same time, devolving tenure rights to local populations and stimulating local livelihoods and economies. Given CFM's relative successes and socioeconomic goals, it is often assumed to be an inherently just approach. Here, we challenge that assumption. We present a framework rooted in environmental justice to uncover how some initiatives can perpetuate or exacerbate unfairness and thus undermine the core purpose and spirit of CFM. We put forward three questions on the fairness of CFM programs. First, we call to question the imposition of new CFM-related restrictions and rules, considering Indigenous and local communities' legal autonomy and/or long-standing de facto rights. Second, we interrogate the burden of CFM-related economic costs and opportunity costs, in light of communities' poverty conditions and vulnerable livelihoods. Third, we examine the fairness of focusing on the role of local communities in tackling deforestation and forest degradation, given these groups might not be the ones primarily responsible for those problems. Our discussion exposes several contradictions, trade-offs and justice implications of CFM that have remained largely unrecognized. We conclude by providing recommendations for a more just approach that centers a rights-needs-merit rationale. Our analysis is relevant for community-based conservation efforts around the globe.

Biodiversity Analysis of Protected Forests in Central Kalimantan: Implications for Conservation and Sustainable Management

Protected forests in Central Kalimantan are vital reservoirs of biodiversity, housing diverse flora and fauna crucial for local and global ecosystems. Despite their ecological significance, these forests face imminent threats from deforestation, illegal encroachment, and climate change, jeopardizing their biodiversity and ecological integrity. This study aims to assess the biodiversity of Central Kalimantan's protected forests and explore its implications for conservation and sustainable management. The research methodology employs a comprehensive approach, integrating field surveys, laboratory analysis, and community engagement. Field surveys involve transect walks, camera traps, and direct observations to inventory flora and fauna. Soil and water analyses assess habitat conditions, while participatory approaches engage local communities in forest management. Findings reveal a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including rare and endemic species such as Shorea stenoptera and Dipterocarpus grandiflorus. High Shannon-Wiener and Simpson diversity indices indicate a healthy ecosystem, but deforestation and illegal encroachment pose significant threats, fragmenting habitats and disrupting species survival. Climate change exacerbates these challenges, necessitating adaptation strategies for ecosystem resilience. Community participation emerges as pivotal in conservation efforts, leveraging traditional knowledge and fostering sustainable livelihoods. Collaboration among stakeholders is essential for effective forest management, emphasizing the need for holistic conservation strategies. In conclusion, this study underscores the urgent need for conservation action to safeguard the biodiversity of Central Kalimantan's protected forests. By integrating scientific research with community engagement, policymakers and stakeholders can develop effective strategies to conserve these invaluable ecosystems, ensuring their sustainability for future generations.

Assessing social capital in community forest management in Kalibawang Sub-district, Wonosobo District, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract. Herdananta BY, Ibriza NM, Wardha’adlina WA, Sulton MN, Sugiyarto, Budiharta S, Setyawan AD. 2024. Assessing social capital in community forest management in Kalibawang Sub-district, Wonosobo District, Central Java, Indonesia. Asian J Ethnobiol 7: 50-60. Community-based Forest Management (CFM) offers more effective protection of forest resources with a decentralized approach to ownership and management, as well as the establishment of autonomous local institutions that provide adequate incentives for the parties involved. The community manages natural resources through mutual use agreements, which lead to the concept of social capital as a solution to overcome collective problems. The study aims to evaluate the state of social capital in community forest management in Kalibawang Sub-district, Wonosobo, Central Java, Indonesia and identify the determinants that influence it as recommendations for improvement to policymakers. Data collection was conducted in March 2024 with research methods included interviews, surveys with questionnaires based on The Social Capital Assessment Tool (SCAT) and the Social Capital Integrated Questionnaire (SC-IQ) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) discussions with local communities. The results showed that social capital in the studied area was significantly influenced by various variables, such as the role of forest farmer groups, access to information, community knowledge, non-formal education, and forestry extension activities. Consequently, the average level of social capital is obtained at 36.91 with a moderate category. Additionally, the analysis of concern community reveals a high classification, with an average score of 8.39. Increased social capital can be reflected in a higher density and diversity of social ties, as well as greater access to resources and stronger trust among group members. The recommendations of this study emphasize the importance of government in encouraging community participation in CFM management, reducing mistrust and conflict with government agencies, and strengthening social capital essential for sustainable forest management.

Evaluating Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs)’ Performance in Managing Community Forests: A Case Study in Central Nepal

The community forests (CF) in Nepal, facilitated by Community Forest User Groups (CFUGs), is widely recognized as an effective model of community-based forest management. Despite this recognition, there is a notable lack of comprehensive studies assessing the performance of CFUGs in sustaining community forests. Addressing this gap, this study examined twenty-two indicators across five performance criteria, such as user group management, forest management, financial management, livelihood management, and collaboration and networking management, within four CFUGs in central Nepal. Data were collected through household surveys (n = 275) and focus group discussions (n = 4), and indicators of performance criteria were assessed using a Likert scale. Reliability was measured using the coefficient of Cronbach’s alpha. ANOVA was employed to compare mean performance criteria across the four CFUGs, providing an evaluative perspective on overall CFUG performance. The findings underscored collaboration and networking management as high performers, showing an index value of 0.71, while user group management exhibited moderate performance with an index value of 0.56, alongside other moderately performing criteria. Noteworthy disparities were evident across the four performance criteria (p < 0.01), with the exception of collaboration and network management. Approximately 55% of the indicators were rated low to moderate, revealing CFUGs’ deficiencies in regular functions, limited uptake of adaptive and market-oriented management practices, minimal contributions to biodiversity conservation, insufficient capacity for forest revenue generation and mobilization, and restricted income generation and benefit-sharing with communities. The absence of timely and pertinent actions further stifled interaction between CFUGs and community forests, undermining the potential for revenue generation, job creation, and collective actions essential for productive community forest management. Prioritization of the indicators based on the performance index value offers critical policy direction to ensure CFUG sustainability and augment participatory management of common pool resources. Strategies to address identified weaknesses and build on strengths are essential for the success of Nepal’s community forests.

Examining local community socio-economic benefits from community forest programmes in Namibia

ABSTRACT Although academic debates since the 1990s have focused on the outcomes of community forest management interventions these debates have not been widespread within the African context. Literature on a hybrid business model to enable socio-economic security for communities has generally been inadequate. This study examined the socio-economic benefits derived from the Okongo and Uukolonkadhi community forests in Namibia to better understand the local communities’ perceptions of forest management beneficiation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with residents of these community forests and key government and civil society informants involved with forest management programmes. Although there is an enabling framework in place for benefit sharing, these are unequal, and most residents are unaware of the benefit distribution plans. The government also lacks sufficient economic and technical resources to support communities in developing inclusive hybrid business models. Scholarship must consider the divergent southern geographic contextual challenges to better understand forest beneficiation outcomes.

Strategi Pengelolaan Hutan Kemasyarakatan Di Desa Keban Jati Kecamatan Air Nipis Kabupaten Bengkulu Selatan

This research aims to formulate a social forestry management strategy for HKm Sulian Besar in Keban Jati Village, Air Nipis District, South Bengkulu Regency. This research was carried out from July to August 2024 in Keban Jati Village, Air Nipis District, South Bengkulu Regency, Bengkulu Province. The research location was carried out in the Sulian Besar Community Forest. This research uses a combination method (mixed) dominantly qualitative and less dominantly quantitative. To recommend strategies for community forest management (HKm) that have achieved economic, social and ecological and institutional benefits by identifying using SWOT analysis to analyze various factors systematically. The position of the community forest management strategy in HKm Sulian Besar, Keban Jati Village, Air Nipis District, South Bengkulu Regency is in quadrant III, namely the turn around strategy where the implementation of the social forestry program of the community forest scheme has great opportunities but there are internal weaknesses so you have to choose the right strategy so that weaknesses are not reduce the odds. Alternative strategies that can be implemented include restructuring group institutions, increasing institutional, technical and marketing capacity, improving cultivation patterns and conducting effective NTFP marketing.

Community-managed forests can secure forest regrowth and permanence in human-modified landscapes

Deforestation can impair ecosystem functions, reduce biodiversity, and accelerate climate change. One strategy proposed to decrease deforestation and promote recovery of degraded areas involves community management of forests: entrusting local communities to manage forest reserves. However, the effectiveness of this strategy remains poorly understood. Here, we assess the impact of community forest management in the Village Land Forest Reserves (VLFRs) of the Greater Gombe Ecosystem (GGE), Tanzania, using Landsat satellite images from multiple dates (2006, 2013, and 2021) to assess the extent to which 16 VLFRs promoted forest regrowth and permanence. We detected a 66 % forest cover increase in VLFRs but a 22 % decrease in identified areas not under any form of protection (unprotected area) in the village land. The Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) statistical analysis showed that assigning an area as a VLFR was associated with a 24.3 % forest-cover gain compared to unprotected village land (β = 0.243, SE = 0.0761, P<0.001). Patrolling by local community members, following village regulations, has a positive impact (β=0.04, 95% CI: [0.02, 0.06]) on promoting forest cover persistence. Nonetheless, of land reforested between 2006 and 2013 in the VLFRs, 11 % suffered re-clearing by 2021. Ensuring further forest regeneration and persistence of these reserves thus requires additional measures.

KAJIAN MENGENAI PEMANFAATAN PERHUTANAN SOSIAL DALAM PERDAGANGAN KARBON DI INDONESIA UNTUK MENGHADAPI PERUBAHAN IKLIM

Global warming and climate change have become one of the most pressing environmental issues facing global society today. Efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, especially carbon dioxide (CO2), have become the main focus in efforts to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. One of the instruments introduced to reduce carbon emissions is carbon trading. In Indonesia, the social forestry program is an initiative that aims to empower local communities in sustainable forest management, which is closely related to the concept of carbon forests. Through community participation in social forestry programs, it is hoped that harmony can be created between the interests of nature conservation and sustainable economic development. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the concept of carbon trading, its basic principles, benefits, and implementation through social forestry in Indonesia. This research uses a literature review method to present a comprehensive overview of this topic, by combining and analyzing information from various available sources. By understanding the basic concepts of carbon trading, operational principles, and involving communities in forest management, Indonesia has great potential to reduce carbon emissions and improve the welfare of local communities while preserving tropical forests that are rich in biodiversity. Keywords: Russia-Ukraine War, Global Economy, Geopolitical Risk

Logging moratorium in Kenya and its impacts on Community Forests Associations:

The Forest Sector is Key to Kenya’s social and economic well-being since most of the financial activities rely on environmental-based resources for their sustenance. The Forest Conservation and Management Act, of 2016, provides for the conservation and management of public, community, and private forests. This has brought a paradigm shift in forest management from central command to involving various stakeholders. Adequate stakeholders' engagement in the direction of forest resources, results in minimal conflicts. Local involvement promotes a sense of ownership to the Forest Adjacent Communities Consequently, reducing conflicts in the management of the forest resources. This dissertation focuses on the impacts of logging moratorium on Community Forest Associations in our state forests, with a focus of two CFAs in Meru County. It uses both quantitative and qualitative research design. An in-depth literature review was, used to enrich the research findings. Data was collected from 289 Mucheene and Ruthumbi CFA residents. Their views on the impacts of logging moratorium to the CFA were also documented. The study found out that forest conservation cannot be delinked from livelihood improvement by the Forest Adjacent Communities. There lie difficulties for the area population of the study area to support their life demands with the moratorium in place owing to the fact that they highly depended on the forest to support their livelihoods pre-moratorium. The study found that 93.4 % of the respondents believe that legal logging promotes job creation in the sawmill value chain circular economy. Findings are expected, to inform policy on forest conservation in collaboration with the FAC. The study recommends that the Government should adopt a regulation mechanism that safeguards logging in the extension forest of the community whenever there is an ongoing logging moratorium in the public forest. Communities, Forests, Logging, Moratorium, Livelihoods, Stakeholders engagement.

Learning to Learn: Research into Adaptive and Collaborative Management of Community Forests

The author highlights conceptual, substantive and methodological aspects of participatory action research(PAR) into adaptive collaborative management (ACM) of community forest in some selected FUGs in the Hills of Nepal. Three main concepts of ACM identified as the core of research include: collaboration among stakeholders, conscious social learning and application of learning feedback to management. Ten specific elements have been recently innovated around the three broad areas of ACM, and theresearch team uses them as a basis to assess and facilitate action research at local level. The author indicates that all the four partner FUGs have shown significantly greater progress towards improving collaboration, conscious social learning and application of feedback than during the time before the PAR. Future activities of research are expected to enable FUGs to achievegoals, and at the same time enable researchers to draw broad lessons as regards conditions, processes and outcomes of ACM, along with potential strategies and tools to facilitate the process.

Household characteristics and common property forest use: complementarities and contradictions

Being limited in supply but accessible for community usage, sustainable management of Common pool resources is still an important question facing both development planners and the academia. Experience from community forestry program in Nepal, and elsewhere, has so far indicated that poorer households are still marginalized even if resources are managed under community ownership. In this paper, I seek to analyze the socio-economic attributes of households that determine labor allocation decisions for forest product collection activities. This will help better understand why poorer groups have not been benefited from the management of community forests. I will then highlight the need for more effective policy and institutional interventions that would help ensure efficient and equitable access to the local level natural resource base.

Impact of community forestry on women's workload and the use of chemical fertilizer

A case study of Gaukhureshwor Community Forest User Group (FUG) of Kavrepalanchwok district shows that community-managed forests over the past several years has increased the supply of forest products particularly leaf litter. An increased supply of forest products has significantly reduced the workload of women in the area. In addition farmers have significantly reduced the use of chemical fertilizer in their farmland. These two positive effects of community forestry can have a favorable impact on the sustainable rural livelihoods.