Forest Institutions Research Articles

Does the ‘One Map Initiative’ Represent a New Path for Forest Mapping in Indonesia? Assessing the Contribution of the REDD+ Initiative in Effecting Forest Governance Reform

This study investigates one notable result that the REDD+ (‘Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, and enhancing forest carbon stocks and conservation’) initiative effected within Indonesia’s forest institutions. It argues that during its interplay with existing National forest institutions REDD+ produced a significant benefit; namely, the ‘one map initiative’ (OMI) being the government’s response to the call for greater transparency and enabling of REDD+ implementation. It asks: “Does the ‘One Map Initiative’ signify a switch to a new path of map-making, or is it just another innovation within an existing path dependence of forest governance?” Through eighty semi-structured interviews with ‘REDD+ policy actors’ and the deployment of ‘path dependence’ theory, this study seeks to determine the extent to which the REDD+ initiative created a ‘critical juncture’ (i.e., momentum for institutions to move to a new path). This study maps the institutional path dependence within forest-mapping as a means for the state to gain control of forest resources. In its development process the OMI has shown its ability to break the old path-dependence of map-making (e.g., lack of transparency, low level of public participation, and poor coordination amongst ministries). Moreover, this paper identified several historical events (i.e., ‘critical junctures’) that preceded the REDD+ initiative as contributing factors to the relative success of REDD+ in effecting forest governance reform.

Supporting Community Governance in Boreal Forests by Introducing Participatory GIS through Action Research

1. IntroductionParticipatory governance of natural resources, especially forests, has received a great deal of attention worldwide in recent years: highlighted by studies in Japan (McKean, 1992a); South Asia (Adhikari, 2005; Adhikari & Lovett, 2006; Agrawal & Ostrom, 2001); and Western Europe (Bravo & Moor, 2008; Holmgren, Keskitalo, & Lidestav, 2010) to name a few. The increasing interest and importance of this area of study has also been underscored by the economics Nobel Prize to Elinor Ostrom in 2009 her analysis of economic governance, especially the commons.1 Notwithstanding the difficulties associated with the governance of the commons, particularly due to the subtractability of the resources such as forests and fisheries, and high cost of exclusion of non-members (Becker & Ostrom, 1995; McKean, 1998), studies worldwide have shown that many of the locally and traditionally managed commons can perform as good as or even better than public and private resource management institutions under certain conditions. These conditions have been promulgated as the design principles for successful and longenduring commons (Becker & Ostrom, 1995; McKean, 1992b, 1998; Ostrom, 1990). A more recent meta-analysis pointed out many of the same characteristics for successful community-managed forests around the world (Pagdee, Kim, & Daugherty, 2006). More importantly, commons share more characteristics with 'private property' than often assumed. McKean and Ostrom (1995) make this explicit when they state: It is crucial to recognise that common property is shared private property and should be considered alongside business partnerships, joint-stock corporations and cooperatives (emphasis original). This 'private property' characteristic is more nuanced in the case of modern forest commons in Sweden, as they are constituted from part of the private estates to which the shares are tied and cannot be owned or sold in isolation (see below).While the institutions such as forest commons should be participatory by definition, they often exclude large sections of their stakeholders in governance and in benefits sharing. These very stakeholders are, on paper, members of those institutions, a phenomenon Agarwal (2001) terms 'participatory exclusions'. She presents a 'typology of participation' where most of the marginalised sections' participation is limited to 'nominal' or 'passive' participation (ibid., pp. 1624-1625). Although the case of Swedish forest commons is rather different from many of these cases from developing countries, as we shall see later, the issue related to participation (or lack thereof) in the governance and decision-making-is rather similar, where the overwhelming proportion of shareholders' participation is limited to 'nominal' or 'passive' participation.Although participation in community-based forest governance in itself does not guarantee success of such institutions (Agarwal, 2001), active and dynamic participation of the members in the management, governance and has been linked to the success of forest commons (Agrawal & Chhatre, 2006). However, previous studies of some of the Swedish forest commons have not only pointed out the diminishing role of shareholders in terms of governance (i.e. decision-making rights) of their commons (Stenman, 2009), but they have also pointed to the fact that the shareholders in Swedish forest commons do not bear costs proportional to the benefits they obtain (Carlsson, 1997). Moreover, a more recent study has highlighted that although the resident shareholders seem to be generally satisfied in the way their forest commons is govemed/managed, the participation in management, governance and is rather low among the shareholders (Lidestav, Poudyal, Holmgren, & Keskitalo, 2013). Overall, previous research indicates a need to stimulate participation among the existing shareholders in these forest commons, in order to make them truly participatory forest governance institutions. …

Micro-environmental changes induced by shape and size of forest openings: effects on Austrocedrus chilensis and Nothofagus dombeyi seedlings performance in a Pinus contorta plantation of Patagonia, Argentina

Aim of the study: to analyze, within a Pinus contorta plantation, the effects of artificially created small rectangular and small medium circular canopy gaps on: i) photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), and soil temperature and moisture, and ii) survival and growth of planted Austrocedrus chilensis and Nothofagus dombeyi seedlings, species which formerly composed the natural forest of the area.Study area: A 2 ha stand of a Pinus contorta stand in Los Alerces National Park, Argentina (42°43’S, 71°43’W, 490 m.a.s.l.). Material and methods: The Pinus contorta stand was 25 yr old, 22 m height and 26 cm DBH, presenting 1000 trees ha-1 of density and 53 m2 ha-1 of basal area. In 2009, rectangular and circular gaps were created within the stand and then seedlings were planted. During two growing seasons (2010-2011 and 2011-2012), PAR, soil temperature and moisture were measured in gaps and understory (control), and seedling survival and growth in gaps.Main results: During both seasons, soil temperature did not differ among gaps and control, whereas PAR and soil moisture were lower in control than in gaps. Seedling survival was high in all gaps regardless of species and season. Seedlings showed higher diameter growth in rectangular than in circular gaps.Research highlights: Austrocedrus chilensis and N. dombeyi seedlings survival is high and their growth slightly affected, when planted in differently-sized canopy gaps within a Pinus contorta plantation in Patagonia. However, other gap sizes and stand densities should be tested before recommending which one shows better results for reconverting monocultures into former native forests.Keywords: planted seedlings; gap structure; photosynthetic active radiation; soil temperature; soil moisture.Abbreviations used: PAR (Photosynthetic Active Radiation); DBH (Diameter at Breast Height); INTA (Argentinean Institute of Agricultural Technology); IFONA (Argentinean Forest Institute).

Variation and relationships of morphological traits, shoot yields and essential oil contents of fourAnthemisspecies

AbstractAnthemisL. is a genus of aromatic flowering plants in the family Asteraceae and is native to Iran. In this research, 62 accessions of four chamomile species includingAnthemis tinctoria, A. triumfetti, A. haussknechtiiandA. pseudocotulawere evaluated for morphological traits. Four experiments were conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications at the Research Institute of Forest and Rangeland, Tehran, Iran in 2011. Data were collected for the morphological traits for all of the species and essential oil content forA. triumfettiandA. pseudocotula.The results showed that plant height was positively correlated with canopy area for all of the species exceptA. triumfetti(p< 0.01). There were positive correlations between flower number with plant height and canopy area in bothA. tinctoriaandA. haussknechtii(p< 0.01). Fresh and dry weight were positively correlated with canopy area and plant height in all of the species (p< 0.01), exceptA. tinctoriafor canopy area andA. triumfettifor plant height. GDD had a positive correlation with canopy area forA. triumfetti(p< 0.05). There was a positive correlation between essential oil yield and plant height, fresh and dry weight inA. triumfettiandA. pseudocotula(p< 0.05). Using cluster analysis (Ward method), the accessions ofA. triumfetti, A. tinctoria, A. haussknechtiiandA. pseudocotulawere grouped into 3, 2, 4 and 2 clusters, respectively. The results of cluster analysis separated the accession based on shoot yield, morphological traits and maturity. In some items, the accessions within each cluster were coordinated with their geographical provenance.

Strategic options for state forest institutions in Poland: evaluation by the 3L Model and ways ahead

SUMMARY State forest institutions in Poland, where 80% of the forest is state-owned, bear high responsibility for the sustainable development of this natural resource and strive to fulfil economic, ecological and social goals. To examine how far these goals are met and which strategic option(s) can be identified for the future the 3L Model was applied and comprehensive performance of the State Forests National Forest Holding (State Forests) and the Ministry of Environment evaluated. The field study relied on a mix of techniques and the data, collected 2014 and 2015, showed the achievements of both institutions clearly: (i) the requirements of sustaining forest stands are met in practice; (ii) the State Forests makes profits and has enough resources for the active management of forests and goal achievement, thereby establishing some independence from the public budgets; (iii) the improved cost efficiency could vastly contribute to the stability of the State Forests, which is true for its marketing and the ...

Forest Resource Management and Utilisation through a Gendered Lens in Namibia

The shift in forestry policy towards resource management and access rights from state control to local community control has been a welcome step towards sustainable forest management in Namibia. The policy acknowledges the direct dependence on natural environmental resources by the proportional majority of the population that live in the rural areas of Namibia. This study was aimed at performing gender analysis by identifying relationships of various groups to natural resources. The study further assessed the influence these relationships have on control, access and use of forest resources, as well as on natural resource management and the implications thereof on various forest management efforts in the country. Data were collected from seven community forest institutions in Namibia and analysed using the Harvard Gender Analytical Framework. The findings show a gendered differentiated knowledge, control and access to forest resources and unequal participation in leadership and governance. Furthermore, the results suggest that unequal power relations among minority and vulnerable groups affect access to and control of forest resources. This study proposes participation of both men and women in the management, protection, access and utilisation of forest resources, as this will contribute to sustainable forest management and economic development of all members of society.

Reframing community forest governance for food security in Nepal

SUMMARYThe growing challenge of food insecurity in the Global South has called for new research on the contribution of forests to food security. However, even progressive forest management institutions such as Nepal's community forestry programme have failed to address this issue. We analyse Nepal's community forestry programme and find that forest policies and local institutional practices have historically evolved to regulate forests either as sources of timber or as a means of biodiversity conservation, disregarding food security outcomes for local people. Disciplinary divisions between forestry and the agriculture sector have limited the prospect of strengthening forest–food security linkages. We conclude that the policy and legislative framework and formal bureaucratic practices are influenced by ‘modern forestry science’, which led to community forestry rules and practices not considering the contribution of forests to food security. Furthermore, forestry science has a particularly narrow focus on timber production and conservation. We argue for the need to recognise the importance of local knowledge and community practices of using forests for food. We propose adaptive and transformational approaches to knowledge generation and the application of such knowledge in order to support institutional change and policy reform and to enable landscape-specific innovations in forest–food linkages.

THE FEASIBILITY OF VILLAGE FOREST PROGRAM IN TANJUNG AUR II VILLAGE, PINO RAYA SUBDISTRICT, SOUTH BENGKULU REGENCY

A feasibility study toward the prerequisite conditions is required for the successful implementation of the Village Forest program in Tanjung Aur II Village. This study aims to: 1) identify bio-geophysical conditions of the work area; 2) analyze the conditions of sosioeconomic-cultural society/institutional; 3) analyze the support of stakeholders; and 4) formulate appropriate implementation strategies. The study was using survey method and qualitative studies with multiple analysis techniques. The results showed that: 1) the biogeophysical conditions was eligible and suitable to be proposed as village forest working area; 2) conditions of socio-economic-cultural communities enable to form village forest management institution, through collaboration between state forest encroachers and the villager representatives; 3) stakeholders were ready to provide support facilitation and assistance according to their capacity and capabilities. Key stakeholder were among others BPDAS Ketahun, Dishut Provinsi Bengkulu, Dishut ESDM Bengkulu Selatan, NGOs Ulayat, and officials of the Village; 4) the implementation strategy of village forest program that suitable for Tanjung Aur II was a competitive strategy or diversification (S-T strategy), with the main priority of the strategy, among others by seeking and asking for support from relevant stakeholders or other parties who had capacity and capability to undertake facilitation and assistance.

A framework for linking forestry co-management institutional arrangements with their associated livelihood outcomes

Co-management of forest resources has gained acceptance among governments, development agencies and development practitioners as an alternative natural resources management strategy to the top-down or centralized government management approach. However, a significant methodological issue in the current literature on evaluation of co-management institutional arrangement is how to link these institutions with sustainable livelihood outcomes of the poor forest dependent communities. To address this limitation, there is need for linking co-management with the sustainability of the community, effectively for the sustainability of its livelihood. This article links two theoretical concepts—co-management and sustainable livelihood approach (SLA)—to formulate an evaluative framework for co-management of forest institutions and their associated livelihood outcomes.

Remote sensing of land use/cover changes and its effect on wind erosion potential in southern Iran.

Wind erosion is a complex process influenced by different factors. Most of these factors are stable over time, but land use/cover and land management practices are changing gradually. Therefore, this research investigates the impact of changing land use/cover and land management on wind erosion potential in southern Iran. We used remote sensing data (Landsat ETM+ and Landsat 8 imagery of 2004 and 2013) for land use/cover mapping and employed the Iran Research Institute of Forest and Rangeland (IRIFR) method to estimate changes in wind erosion potential. For an optimal mapping, the performance of different classification algorithms and input layers was tested. The amount of changes in wind erosion and land use/cover were quantified using cross-tabulation between the two years. To discriminate land use/cover related to wind erosion, the best results were obtained by combining the original spectral bands with synthetic bands and using Maximum Likelihood classification algorithm (Kappa Coefficient of 0.8 and 0.9 for Landsat ETM+ and Landsat 8, respectively). The IRIFR modelling results indicate that the wind erosion potential has increased over the last decade. The areas with a very high sediment yield potential have increased, whereas the areas with a low, medium, and high sediment yield potential decreased. The area with a very low sediment yield potential have remained constant. When comparing the change in erosion potential with land use/cover change, it is evident that soil erosion potential has increased mostly in accordance with the increase of the area of agricultural practices. The conversion of rangeland to agricultural land was a major land-use change which lead to more agricultural practices and associated soil loss. Moreover, results indicate an increase in sandification in the study area which is also a clear evidence of increasing in soil erosion.

Exploring the Relationship between Remotely-Sensed Spectral Variables and Attributes of Tropical Forest Vegetation under the Influence of Local Forest Institutions

Conservation of forests outside protected areas is essential for maintaining forest connectivity, which largely depends on the effectiveness of local institutions. In this study, we use Landsat data to explore the relationship between vegetation structure and forest management institutions, in order to assess the efficacy of local institutions in management of forests outside protected areas. These forests form part of an important tiger corridor in Eastern Maharashtra, India. We assessed forest condition using 450 randomly placed 10 m radius circular plots in forest patches of villages with and without local institutions, to understand the impact of these institutions on forest vegetation. Tree density and species richness were significantly different between villages with and without local forest institutions, but there was no difference in tree biomass. We also found a significant difference in the relationship between tree density and NDVI between villages with and without local forest institutions. However, the relationship between species richness and NDVI did not differ significantly. The methods proposed by this study evaluate the status of forest management in a forest corridor using remotely sensed data and could be effectively used to identify the extent of vegetation health and management status.

The Effect of Forest Tenure on Forest Composition in a Miao Area of Guizhou, China

Guizhou Province is one of the most expansive and important forest regions in China. Traditional Miao people have inhabited the mountains and managed the forest resources of this region for more than 1000 years. In the 1980s, the Chinese government transferred many collectively owned forests to individual household control. Since then, there have been 3 forest tenure types in Miao areas: state forests, collective forests, and household forests. The Collective Forest Tenure Reform was implemented nationwide starting in 2005, and in Guizhou in 2007, to develop and stabilize the forest tenure institutions. To investigate the effect of tenure type on the floristic composition and size structure of local forests, we conducted inventories in replicate forests under each type of tenure in 3 traditional Miao villages in Leishan County. Results showed that tree species richness and diversity were significantly higher in state and collective forests than in household forests; no significant differences were detected among villages. Cunninghamia lanceolata, an important local timber species, was most abundant in household forests, while higher proportions of associated broadleaf and pine species were recorded in state and collective forests. The lack of significant differences between state and collective forests for most measurement variables suggests that the inherent similarities between these 2 tenure types created by long-term use and management by the Miao have largely overshadowed the effects of more recent management efforts by the state. Each tenure regime offers different benefits, and a portfolio including all 3 tenure types would best provide the ecosystem services and economic opportunities required by forest-dependent communities.

3D Printing in Transplantation: While 3D printing has made significant advances in recent years, the reality of whole organ generation remains a long way off.

3D Printing in Transplantation: While 3D printing has made significant advances in recent years, the reality of whole organ generation remains a long way off.

Impacts of Community-Based Forest Management Policies Implemented by a Local Forest Institution: A Case Study from Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines

A number of developing countries have implemented forest tenure reforms, including community forestry, to achieve social justice. While many studies have assessed the impact of community forestry, few have examined how interventions of local forest institutions influence the conditions of forests and forest dwellers. This study addresses this gap by examining the impacts of forest management policies implemented by the Federation of Vista Hills, Kalongkong and Kakilingan Upland Farmers, Inc. (Federation) in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines. Specifically, the study aimed to: (1) examine these interventions in relation to livelihood, income, forest condition, and equity (LIFE) indicators; (2) measure the impacts of these interventions on LIFE indicators; (3) analyze relations between the interventions and LIFE indicators; and (4) identify policy implications to promote sustainable and equitable benefits from local forest governance. Data were compiled from a household-level survey, interviews, satellite image analysis, and a secondary data review. Correlation analysis was performed on the survey results. The Federation’s interventions were found to have improved forest condition and equity. However, they had limited impact on livelihoods and no significant effect on household incomes. Hence, the Federation needs to undertake household-level initiatives to improve the financial capital of forest-dependent populations. Moreover, policy-makers should devolve the issuance of resource use permits to local Department of Environment and Natural Resources offices. Central forest policies, particularly those on forest resource utilization, require adaptation to local situations as incentives for forest-dependent populations to sustainably manage forest resources.

Linking Attitudes, Policy, and Forest Cover Change in Buffer Zone Communities of Chitwan National Park, Nepal.

Deforestation in Nepal threatens the functioning of complex social-ecological systems, including rural populations that depend on forests for subsistence, as well as Nepal's biodiversity and other ecosystem services. Nepal's forests are particularly important to the nation's poorest inhabitants, as many depend upon them for daily survival. Two-thirds of Nepal's population relies on forests for sustenance, and these pressures are likely to increase in the future. This, coupled with high population densities and growth rates, highlights the importance of studying the relationship between human communities, forest cover trends through time, and forest management institutions. Here, we used surveys to explore how household attitudes associated with conservation-related behaviors in two rural communities-one that has experienced significant forest loss, and the other forest gain-compare with forest cover trends as indicated by satellite-derived forest-loss and -regeneration estimates between 2005 and 2013. Results found a significant difference in attitudes in the two areas, perhaps contributing to and reacting from current forest conditions. In both study sites, participation in community forestry strengthened support for conservation, forest conservation-related attitudes aligned with forest cover trends, and a negative relationship was found between economic status and having supportive forest conservation-related attitudes. In addition, on average, respondents were not satisfied with their district forest officers and did not feel that the current political climate in Nepal supported sustainable forestry. These findings are important as Nepal's Master Plan for the Forestry Sector has expired and the country is in the process of structuring a new Forestry Sector Strategy.

Assessment of Tree Planting Trend in Karemo Division in Siaya County: Kenya

Tree planting-trend has been taking in Karemo Division for the last 28 years (1985-2014). This is an average rotation of exotic trees species in the study area like Eucalyptus, cypress, casuarinas and pine that are present in the study area. Survived trees sequester carbon, but the amount of carbon that can be sequestered by these trees is not known. An important question is to what extent of carbon that trees sequesters, can be significantly contributed due to tree planting-trend. An important question is to what extent of carbon that trees sequesters, can be significantly contributed due to tree planting-trend, the type of on-farm management practices applied by farmers and the role of forest of rural forest development institutions on farm forestry in the study area? That’s why the study attempted to answer this vital question applied by farmers and the role of forest of rural forest development institutions on farm forestry in the study area? That’s why the study attempted to answer this vital question. This study sought to find out if tree planting trend. An objective was: assessing tree planting trend from 1985-2014 in relation to tree cover. Survey research design was employed and sample size of 234 farmers was selected from a target population of 600 farmers from register in county forest office. Tree resource inventory was carried out on sampled farms in Karemo Division to determine the number and status of trees in the farms. Modeling with differential equations, Euler's method shows that 3.7% trees has increased in the last 28 year and Study recommends Participatory Planning for Eco-Commercial Tree Farming (PPECTP) as a concept for afforestation strategies by all stakeholders.

Institutional Model and Activities of Destitute Society Around Forest as an Attempt to Develop the Sustainable and Equitable Forest in East Java, Indonesia

A good partnership between people living around forests and the local government to manage the forest resources is one of the models of sustainable and equitable forest development. This research aims at analyzing the institutional model and activities of people living around the forest as an attempt to develop the sustainable and equitable forests. The research took place in Pasuruan and Malang regencies of East Java province, Indonesia. There were 49 informants consisting of local government members and people living around forests (or pesanggem farmers) who actively involved in the organization of forest village and actively developed the sustainable and equitable forests. The research finding shows the institutional model and people’s activity in developing the sustainable and equitable forest have already shown a good pattern. The existence of forest village institution and people’s activity in developing the sustainable and equitable forest has shown participative and ongoing activities. The working group made by pesanggem farmers and forestry institution showed their significant role in managing the forest resources.

The present conditions and factor analysis of the forest road institution disaster in Amami Oshima

The present conditions and factor analysis of the forest road institution disaster in Amami Oshima

Characterization of stability and inflammatory response to alginate encapsulated islets in the omentum pouch model

Characterization of stability and inflammatory response to alginate encapsulated islets in the omentum pouch model

Endurance and Adaptation of Community Forest Management in Quintana Roo, Mexico

Despite regional deforestation threats, the state of Quintana Roo has maintained over 80% of its territory in forests. Community forest management (CFM) has played a pivotal role in forest cover and biodiversity conservation in the region. In this article, we present the institutional, socioeconomic and environmental conditions under which community-based forest management has been consolidated in the tropical state of Quintana Roo, which occupies the eastern half of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. With a focus on management for timber and other market-based development strategies, we then examine the institutional and socioeconomic factors, as well as biophysical shocks, that have constrained community forestry development in the past 25 years, challenging its persistence. Following, we discuss how forest communities and institutions have responded and adapted to changing forest policies and markets as well as major environmental shocks from hurricanes and fires. CFM in Quintana Roo has shown resiliency since its institutionalization 30 years ago. Future challenges and opportunities include biodiversity conservation, carbon management through Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) initiatives, market strengthening, business management training as well as the implementation of alternative silvicultural systems, particularly to manage sustainable populations of commercial timber species.