Forestry Policy Research Articles

The Historiography of Forests use Types and Implication for Forest Conservation in the Montane Forests of Ngongbaa, Kilum, Kovifem and Kovkinkar

This study explores the timeline history of forest use types and beneficial relationship of forest, forest communities and conservation in the montane forests of Ngongbaa, Kilum, Kovifem and Kovkinkar from the mid-1970s to 2015. Data and/or information collected for this study comprise literary, questionnaire, interview, focused group discussions and observations. Data for the study was secured from person directly resident adjacent forest in 29 villages. The study shows that apart from being asource of food and medicine, forest first served as settlement and refuge sites for the Nso, Mbiame and Oku people. Today, forest serves as cemetery for the fons (kings), and host shrines which have become conservation hot spots and nurseries for engendered plants and animal species, where the Nso, Mbiame and Oku also performed sacrifices. These conservation hot spots help to sustain the forest in montane ecosystems where pressure on land and forest is high and on the rise. Due to population pressure and limited grazing the grassland compartments in the above forests have been transformed into grazing ground. The long period of intercourse between the Nso, Mbiame, Oku people and their forest enabled them to accumulate rich and useful knowledge of the forest and established customary (non- statutory or quasi-statutory) regulatory frameworks for effective management of forest resources to improve their livelihood and culture. Due to the depletion of forest and the adoption of stricter conservation policies, some forest activities particularly carving and hunting have decreased in intensity while some like Ngwa’a (royal hunt) has simply phased out due to the extinction of animal species which were hunted. The paper recommends that traditional systems of managing forest be reinforced to enhance the conservation of resources in sacred groves that are nurseries for threatened and extinct species in degraded ecosystems. The state should recognise and integrate non-statutory forestry policy frameworks established in the Nso, Mbiame and Oku into the national forestry policy as village-based institutions for the management of land and forest in forest communities. The government should also empower traditional authorities (Fon,Nwerong and Lanlords (ataangven) and support reforestation and forest restoration programmes formulated by them. This is because laws put in place by these institutions are respected in the most part by their subjects without being forced to do so, unlike in the Ngongbaa and Kilum forests managed by the state, where forestry laws are permanently violated by local people who consider forestry authorities as state agents who are depriving them of their right of tenure and usufruct. This would likely help to maintain biodiversity and knowledge attached to it, which is gradually disappearing due to forest depletion.

Investigating the role of biomass energy consumption and forest products trade on the forest footprint in Finland: an environmental Kuznets curve analysis

AbstractForests are essential in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide and maintaining ecosystems, mainly through preserving biodiversity. For this reason, the sustainability of forests is essential for human life. This paper examines the role of biomass energy consumption, forest product trade, and economic growth on Finland’s forest footprint from 1970 to 2018. By employing Fourier-based unit root and cointegration tests, we confirm the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis, demonstrating a long-term relationship in which economic growth first raises, then reduces the forest footprint. Biomass energy consumption and forest products trade show an insignificant long-term effect on the forest footprint. We found unidirectional causality from the forest footprint to biomass energy consumption and economic growth. This research fills a gap by focusing on the under-researched forest footprint within the EKC framework, particularly in Finland’s context of stringent forestry policies. Our findings emphasize the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to enhance environmental policy and sustainability practices. We further contribute to the broader literature on sustainable forest management and offer actionable policy recommendations for enhancing Finland’s environmental strategies.

The Controversy of Social Forestry Policy: Public Reaction on the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Decree No. 287/2022/KHDPK in Java, Indonesia

Social forestry in Java, Indonesia, refers to policies and practices aimed at involving local communities in management and protection of forest areas. The study focuses on the controversy surrounding Decree No. 287/2022/KHDPK of the social forest policy which was rejected by local forest communities and public. The primary contribution of this research is to investigate the reasons behind the rejection on the Ministry of Environment and Forestry regarding Forest Areas with Special Management (KHDPK) policy, particularly the reduction in the forest area it entails. The main stakeholder involved in this controversy include Perum Perhutani, which has a vested interest in maintaining control of 2.4-million-hectare of forest land in Java. A qualitative research method was employed, using a case study approach applied for content analysis. Data were gathered from online newspapers and social media reports published between April 2022 and October 2022. The results indicates that the ongoing controversy reflects a disharmonious relationship between regulators and operators in implementing Agrarian Reform and Social Forestry policies on Java Island. The data suggest that the failure to manage the dialogue between stakeholders can create a challenging environment for the sustainability of both people and forests. Furthermore, involvement of stakeholders in the formulation and implementation of new environmental policies can foster better relationships. This study also highlights the critical role of dialogue and collaboration among regulators, operators, local communities, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and other stakeholders.

Fighting Alone or Mutual Benefit and Win? A Study on Forestry Embodied Energy Competition Network Based on MRIO

Abstract Measuring energy usage in the forestry trade is a topic of great significance. In this article, we use the World Input–Output Database and the multiregional input–output model to establish an embodied energy competition network and assess the influence of global value chain (GVC) integration on competition. The results show that (1) the intensity of competition for embodied energy in forestry is higher for exports compared with imports. Additionally, the import competition network exhibits lower connectivity and overall efficiency. (2) The core regions of the competitive network are primarily found in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The United States consistently maintains a competitive advantage. However, forestry policies have led to a decline in the status of the United States, (3) The hierarchical structure of export competition is more pronounced. When the weighting degree exceeds 200, this phenomenon becomes more pronounced. (4) From the perspective of GVC, positive embedding in the GVC is negatively correlated with import competition. Backward GVC embedding is positively correlated with import and export competition. On the basis of the above results, this article proposes that countries where backward embedding is the main method should actively participate in building appropriate export international associations, participating in international organizations, and building a relatively harmonious and stable export competition market, thereby helping to maintain economic development and energy environment management.

Revisiting the Narrative of Deforestation in Central and Southern Mainland Early Modern Portugal as a ‘Ruined Landscape’: The Case of Shipbuilding in Lisbon

AbstractScholars have largely blamed shipbuilding for maritime expansion for being the main driver of deforestation in early modern Portugal. This article sets out to revisit the origins and reproduction of this narrative by analysing three interconnected elements in a case study of Lisbon's shipyards. Firstly, it studies the claims of forestry policies from the 1400s to the mid‐1600s. Secondly, it addresses Portuguese writers and foresters of the nineteenth century. Thirdly, it surveys the calculations of deforestation rates provided by Portuguese and foreign authors and foresters. Three main conclusions can be drawn: (1) scholars’ arguments that shipbuilding was chiefly responsible for deforestation are based on the claims set out in Portuguese forestry policies, (2) nineteenth‐century authors and writers stated multiple causes to explain the significant deforestation in early modern Portugal, and (3) it is very likely that the high deforestation rates that nineteenth‐ and early twentieth‐century authors reported are partially due to shifts in the meaning of ‘woodland’.

The commercialisation of NTFPs and conservation of forest: a systematic review for forestry policy

PurposeThis current review examines the scientific literature report on non-timber forest products (NTFPs) commercialisation and forest conservation in different jurisdictions.Design/methodology/approachA systematic review using Scopus-indexed articles on NTFP commercialisation and forest conservation was done using the PRISMA framework.FindingsThe review categorised the factors influencing the commercialisation of NTFPs and forest conservation into five broad factors and sub-factors: socioeconomic, market-based, ecosystem, cultural and institutional factors. The scholarly publications on NTFP commercialisation and forest conservation have been undulating, with two years recording no publication on the subject matter under review. Besides, China and India in Asia are leading in the number of publications on NTFPs’ commercialisation. The review revealed ambivalence and symbiotic relationship among the factors influencing the commercialisation of NTFPs and forest conservation. Specifically, tenure arrangement, strict regulations to forest entry, market information asymmetry, bureaucracy in certification acquisition, seasonality and distance were identified as barriers to NTFPs’ commercialisation. While market demands for NTFPs increased, NTFPs’ prices and unsustainable harvesting activities were threats to forest conservation. Policymakers should focus on safeguarding customary property rights and indigenous knowledge in forest conservation, designing workable capacity-building schemes for NTFP entrepreneurs and reducing the cost and processes in certification acquisition.Originality/valueThere are reviews on NTFPs’ commercialisation and livelihoods, but a synergy between NTFPs’ commercialisation and forest conservation for forest policy direction is yet to be done in the literature. Also, while earlier studies systematically reviewed literature on NTFPs’ commercialisation, they did not relate the studies to forest conservation.

A sustainability analysis of community‐conserved areas in Sabah, Malaysia using Ostrom’s design principles

Community‐conserved areas (CCA) have the potential to improve local ecological knowledge, ecosystem services, livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation. This study examined the sustainability and community management structure of two recently established CCAs in Sabah, Malaysia. Data were gathered using Ostrom’s design principles (ODP), content analysis, and focus group discussions. Both CCAs met all eight ODPs and were sustainably maintained by their communities through the evolution of several endogenous CCA management structures. Land tenure security for CCA sustainability may be enhanced through formal recognition (ODP‐7), nested enterprises (ODP‐8), and conflict resolution (ODP‐6). The findings reveal that indigenous communities can sustainably manage their natural resources and suggest ways to improve CCA management. Inclusion of indigenous communities in legal frameworks and CCA management should be fostered in the National Forestry Policy. The concept of CCA can be promoted elsewhere towards conserving natural resources and empowering communities for their wellbeing.

Reviewing Social Forestry in Indonesia through an Integrative Framework for Collaborative Governance

Collaboration is a major problem affecting implementation of Social Forestry Policy in Indonesia. This paper aimed at synthesising the results of previous studies to identify challenges and knowledge gaps using an Integrative Framework for Collaborative Governance (IFCG) model. A systematic literature review method was used to search the Scopus database, and a total of 47 studies on Social Forestry Policy in Indonesia from 2019‐2022 were reviewed. The results suggested three main challenges: 1) limited community capacity, namely in initiating and making forest management effective; 2) burdensome administrative-bureaucratic fulfilment; and 3) lack of attention to multi-level (vertical-horizontal) collaborative processes from policy making to implementation at the member level. The review found that the IFCG model, though important, does not emphasise actor complexity related to leadership, which has different levels and scopes. Additionally, economic benefits are essential to sustain collaboration between parties. Furthermore, the internal conditions of the community contribute to effective collective action, and economic benefits are essential in sustaining the collaborative process. The paper recommends further research into social forestry to examine the impact of Social Forestry Policy, which have been under-examined by previous studies.

Citrus limon var. pompia Camarda var. nova: A Comprehensive Review of Its Botanical Characteristics, Traditional Uses, Phytochemical Profile, and Potential Health Benefits.

Citrus limon var. pompia Camarda var. nova, commonly known as pompia, is a distinctive citrus ecotype native to Sardinia, notable for its unique botanical, phytochemical, and potential health benefits. It holds cultural significance as a traditional food product of Sardinia, recognized by the Italian Ministry of Agricultural Food and Forestry Policies. This comprehensive review examines pompia's traditional uses, taxonomic classification, pomological characteristics, phytochemical profile, and potential health benefits. Pompia phytochemical analyses reveal a rich composition of flavonoids and terpenoids, with notable concentrations of limonene, myrcene, and various oxygenated monoterpenes. Pompia essential oils are primarily extracted from its peel and leaves. Peel essential oils exhibit a high concentration of the monoterpene limonene (82%) and significantly lower quantities of myrcene (1.8%), geranial (1.7%), geraniol (1.5%), and neral (1.4%). In its rind extract, flavanones such as naringin (23.77 µg/mg), neoeriocitrin (46.53 µg/mg), and neohesperidin (44.57 µg/mg) have been found, along with gallic acid (128.3 µg/mg) and quinic acid (219.67 µg/mg). The main compounds detected in the essential oils from pompia leaves are oxygenated monoterpenes (53.5%), with limonene (28.64%), α-terpineol (41.18%), geranial (24.44%), (E)-β-ocimene (10.5%), linalool (0.56%), and neryl acetate (13.56%) being particularly prominent. In pompia juice, the presence of phenolic compounds has been discovered, with a composition more similar to lemon juice than orange juice. The primary flavonoid identified in pompia juice is chrysoeriol-6,8-di-C-glucoside (stellarin-2) (109.2 mg/L), which has not been found in other citrus juices. The compound rhoifolin-4-glucoside (17.5 mg/L) is unique to pompia juice, whereas its aglycone, rhoifolin, is found in lemon juice. Other flavonoids identified in pompia juice include diosmetin 6,8-C-diglucoside (54.5 mg/L) and isorhamnetin 3-O-rutinoside (79.4 mg/L). These findings support the potential of pompia in developing nutraceuticals and natural health products, further confirmed by its compounds' antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Future research should focus on optimizing extraction methods, conducting clinical trials to evaluate efficacy and safety, and exploring sustainable cultivation practices. The potential applications of pompia extracts in food preservation, functional foods, and cosmetic formulations also warrant further investigation. Addressing these areas could significantly enhance pompia's contribution to natural medicine, food science, and biotechnology.

Relevance of surface albedo to forestry policy in high latitude and altitude regions may be overvalued

Abstract Forest restoration and improved forest management are seen as options to enhance terrestrial carbon dioxide removal in many regions, yet concerns surrounding their potentially adverse surface albedo impacts exist, particularly in high latitude and altitude regions. Such concerns are often based on generalized conclusions rooted in analyses carried out over broad spatial extents at coarse resolutions. The impacts of surface albedo change are highly sensitive to local environmental factors governing both the surface albedo and solar radiation budgets, and many previous assessments either do not sufficiently deal with such sensitivities or do not qualify the conditions under which they are relevant. Using the country of Norway with its diverse gradients in topography and climate as an ideal case study region, we seek clarity to the question of whether surface albedo is relevant to consider in forestry planning, and if so, what are the important factors determining it. We find that the adverse impact of a forest’s albedo outweighs its carbon cycle benefit on only ∼4% of Norway’s total forested area, reducing to <∼1% when future climate changes are considered. Our findings challenge the common perception that surface albedo concerns are highly relevant to forestry planning at high latitudes and emphasize the importance of carrying out albedo impact assessments at spatial scales aligning with those of local forestry planning.

Using the Ecosystem Services assessment tool TESSA to balance the multiple landscape demands of increasing woodlands in a UK national park

Upland regions in the UK are increasingly under consideration as potential areas for the creation of woodlands. This is driven by a combination of factors, including the aims of UK forestry policy to increase woodland cover, changes in current upland land-use and management, agri-environment schemes in national and international policy and an increasing public awareness of the ecosystem service benefits landscapes can deliver for society. Creating new woodlands in upland areas is challenging, partly due to concerns of potential impacts from a change in land use and stakeholder interests. This study considers a 250 km2 Cumbrian (England) upland landscape dominated by sheep grazing and, using an established ecosystem service assessment tool (TESSA), estimates the provision of ecosystem services under plausible alternative woodland creation scenarios. The assessment focuses on key ecosystem goods and services, which are identified by stakeholders to be of high importance to the study area, and the potential changes to those under the scenarios. The results indicate that, under lower woodland percentage scenarios (10 %), minor benefits are expected. However, a more complex outcome would be expected from the higher percentage woodland scenarios (75 %) with the woodland cover of 50 % identified as providing the highest overall benefit to society.

Regulatory Capture by Corporations, Liberalization of Industrial Forest Sector and Deforestation in Indonesia

This study was motivated by the proliferation of forest management businesses for industrial interests. The issuance of the Industrial Plantation Forest policy has benefited pulp and paper corporations, which can be observed from both the rapidly increasing amount of production and the area used under corporate land management, which has even exceeded the amount of land used as regulated by existing regulations.There were three problems that this study seeks to address. Firstly, how had the Industrial Plantation Forest policies during the administrations of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Joko Widodo impacted P.T. Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper and local communities. Secondly, in what ways the policy had caused deforestation, especially on peatlands. Thirdly, how had the state, as the policy maker, maintained the social life of the communities to reduce conflicts that would disrupt production, particularly in Riau. This study show that the industrial plantation forest policies had benefited pulp and paper corporations, that rely on wood as raw materials, by providing various facilities and subsidies from the government. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's administration issued a lot more policies that benefited corporations than Joko Widodo's administration. Meanwhile, Joko Widodo in its first period administration attempted to make amendment by making a moratorium policy that temporarily suspended the issuance of new forest and land management permits. In addition, the Joko Widodo administration also introduced a social forestry policy that allowed communities to own forestry management land. However, during the second period of his administration, forestry policies, again, had benefited corporations, especially with the issuance of the Job Creation Law which gave rise to many protests from the public.Fred Block’s in his book “the Revising State theory” to the conclusion that the business community has a strong influence on the formation of state policy and that business people seek government’s assistance to support their profit-seeking activities through various policies. The policies are in the form of trade protection, subsidy programs, tax benefits, punitive treatment of strikers, contracts from the government, and so on. However, Block also believes that other than providing support to corporations to accumulate capital, the government must also maintain social stability both as a protection for business confidence and because the government wants to maintain its power. Social forestry policy, for example, is aimed at reducing social conflicts by providing access to communities with cultivated land to improve their welfare.

Offering a Different Perspective: Gender-Biased Forestry Policy

Offering a Different Perspective: Gender-Biased Forestry Policy

How Governance Can Contribute to Amazon Biome Conservation?

Forest conservation has transcended environmental concerns and become a determining factor in global social and economic issues. Therefore, setting forest conservation goals, including recovery and/or reforestation, is critical to help mitigate global warming and climate change. Although Amazonian countries have forestry policies for forest conservation, the forest continues to be degraded. The aim of this article is to suggest a regional governance model for the nine countries that share the Amazon rainforest. The thesis of the paper is that the definition of a common legal basis for the nine countries can contribute to forest conservation. Through qualitative analysis of exploratory and descriptive variables, the main topics related to the proposal of a governance model were identified. Multi-level governance contributes to the environmental conservation process by creating an environment to engage local, national, and international stakeholders from diverse groups. As a result of this paper, we suggest the creation of a supranational governance, composed and regulated by each of the nine countries of the Amazon biome and having as reference the AFR100 initiative. The proposition and creation of governance among Amazonian countries are fundamental for achieving the objectives for the conservation of the biome; such governance must take into account existing public policies, institutional mechanisms, and financial commitments. Although the Amazon countries present a framework of policies and commitments that seek to preserve the biome, the reality is that forest degradation through deforestation with negative effects on the climate and on the communities that depend on the standing forest still exists.

Regulatory Intensity on Private Forestland and its Relationship with State Characteristics in the United States

Though the federal government impacts private forest management across the United States through legislation such as the Clean Water Act, state-level regulations applied to private forest landowners vary remarkably. Despite this diversity of policies, little is known about how variations in regulatory intensity (defined here as number of forestry regulations) correlate with state-level political and socioeconomic characteristics. In this study, we use a quantitative approach to explore the intensity of regulation on forest practices impacting private landowners across all 50 states. We quantified intensity by tabulating the number of regulated forest practices, then used a quasi-Poisson regression to estimate the relationship between regulatory intensity and state-level characteristics, including forestland ownership types, the economic importance of the forest industry, and measures of state environmentalism. Results indicated a positive association between regulatory intensity and the percent of private corporate land, environmental voting records of elected officials, and direct democracy. Foresters and landowners may learn from these relationships, consider how to influence different policies, and build or achieve greater levels of public trust. This study starts to help us explain why state-level forestry policies differ, not just how they differ.

An Assessment of Forestry Policy in The European Union, Turkey and Various Countries

In many parts of the world, forests have been seen only as an economic value and forestry policies have been in this direction. Later, when forests started to disappear, the protectionist period started and forest policies were shaped in this direction. In this study, the reflections of sustainable foresty policy and environmental and forest protection in the Eurpoion Union (EU), Turkey and a few other countries are examined and the protection measures and recommendations of the countries are analyzed. The aim of the study is to reveal the devolopment process of forestry policies and to reveal what has been done to ensure the protection of forests. When we look at the policies followed by the countries, it is seen that the world is now pursuing a conscious forestry policy.

Ensuring People’s Rights in Forest Resources: Revisiting the Role of Civil Society

Despite changes in forestry policies to allow local communities to take control over national forests, efforts in facilitating devolution of power fail to recognize the ‘rights’ of people instead of ‘mercy’ of the state. The author highlights some fundamental issues that are at the root of many felt problems such as inequity, passive management of forests, limited access of the poor and marginalized indecision-making. The author proposes that rights based approach that focuses on local rights and organizing people can bring change, and Civil Society can play a significant role in this regard.

Department of Forest's new community Forestry Guideline

Department of Forest (DOF) has issued a new version of Community Forestry Guideline in May 2001, replacing the first version that was issued 10 years back. Officials engaged in developing this amendment indicate in their preface statements that a new versionof the guideline was felt necessary in the changing contexts of community forestry policies and practices over thepast several years in general, and in particular, to address the challenges of meeting escalating demand for increasingly diverse services to communities. The guideline was prepared with involvement of, and support from bilateral forestry projects, who deputed their representatives in the guideline review task force constituted by DOF. An outline of the draft guideline was discussed in two national level meetings of government forest officials and forestry project staff.

Community Forestry and Integrated Natural Resource Management in the Churia Region of Nepal

The author contends that the prevailing community forestry policy and legislations can be implemented to solve problems of Terai forest management. Based on on-going experiences in the Chure and inner Terai region in easternNepal, he puts forward an approach that integrates community forestry with natural resource management involving various stakeholder groups. The conclusion is that before attempting any change in legislation, more experiences may be gained by sincere efforts to implement community forestry in the Terai region of Nepal.

Implementation of Social Forestry Policy on Fulfillment of Empowerment Rights of Women Family Heads in Gaining Access to Forest Management in Sabrang Ambulu

This study aims to demonstrate that the Social Forestry Program in Sabrang Village positively impacts poverty alleviation and community welfare, particularly among women family heads, through forest land management. This study employed a descriptive qualitative data analysis strategy. This research method uses the purposive sampling strategy. The findings of this study show that the realization of women's rights can already be felt and benefited. Forest land management activities are carried out through the social forestry initiative to maximize natural resource potential over 35 years. As a result, it may be argued that it successfully changed the community's economics, particularly that of women's household heads.