High-value Timber Species Research Articles

De novo transcriptome sequencing and SSR markers development for Cedrela balansae C.DC., a native tree species of northwest Argentina.

The endangered Cedrela balansae C.DC. (Meliaceae) is a high-value timber species with great potential for forest plantations that inhabits the tropical forests in Northwestern Argentina.Research on this species is scarce because of the limited genetic and genomic information available. Here, we explored the transcriptome of C. balansae using 454 GS FLX Titanium next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Following de novo assembling, we identified 27,111 non-redundant unigenes longer than 200 bp, and considered these transcripts for further downstream analysis. The functional annotation was performed searching the 27,111 unigenes against the NR-Protein and the Interproscan databases. This analysis revealed 26,977 genes with homology in at least one of the Database analyzed. Furthermore, 7,774 unigenes in 142 different active biological pathways in C. balansae were identified with the KEGG database. Moreover, after in silico analyses, we detected 2,663 simple sequence repeats (SSRs) markers. A subset of 70 SSRs related to important “stress tolerance” traits based on functional annotation evidence, were selected for wet PCR-validation in C. balansae and other Cedrela species inhabiting in northwest and northeast of Argentina (C. fissilis, C. saltensis and C. angustifolia). Successful transferability was between 77% and 93% and thanks to this study, 32 polymorphic functional SSRs for all analyzed Cedrela species are now available. The gene catalog and molecular markers obtained here represent a starting point for further research, which will assist genetic breeding programs in the Cedrela genus and will contribute to identifying key populations for its preservation.

Growth of high-value timber species in natural forests under selection system in northern Japan

Growth of high-value timber species in natural forests under selection system in northern Japan

Assessing the Ability of Chloroplast and Nuclear DNA Gene Markers to Verify the Geographic Origin of Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril L.) Timber.

Deforestation-reinforced by illegal logging-is a serious problem in many tropical regions and causes pervasive environmental and economic damage. Existing laws that intend to reduce illegal logging need efficient, fraud resistant control methods. We developed a genetic reference database for Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril), an important, high value timber species from the Neotropics. The data set can be used for controls on declarations of wood origin. Samples from 308 Hymenaea trees from 12 locations in Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, and French Guiana have been collected and genotyped on 10 nuclear microsatellites (nSSRs), 13 chloroplast SNPs (cpSNP), and 1 chloroplast indel marker. The chloroplast gene markers have been developed using Illumina DNA sequencing. Bayesian cluster analysis divided the individuals based on the nSSRs into 8 genetic groups. Using self-assignment tests, the power of the genetic reference database to judge on declarations on the location has been tested for 3 different assignment methods. We observed a strong genetic differentiation among locations leading to high and reliable self-assignment rates for the locations between 50% to 100% (average of 88%). Although all 3 assignment methods came up with similar mean self-assignment rates, there were differences for some locations linked to the level of genetic diversity, differentiation, and heterozygosity. Our results show that the nuclear and chloroplast gene markers are effective to be used for a genetic certification system and can provide national and international authorities with a robust tool to confirm legality of timber.

Local Scale Edaphic Surveys in and out of a <i>Pericopsis elata</i> (Harms) Meeuwen Natural Forest Stand in East Cameroon

One of the problems limiting high survival rates of Pericopsis elata (afrormosia, assamela), a high value timber species, is lack of data on its pedological requirements. A study was conducted in the East Region of Cameroon to identify possible soil properties favoring its spatial distribution. Two test areas, in and out of a Pericopsis elata natural forest stand were identified and in each sampling units of 50 × 50 m delineated. Thirty eight and sixteen quadrats in and out of the stands were respectively sampled for soil physico-chemical properties, number of stems and diameter at breast height. Soil samples in each quadrat were analyzed following standard laboratory procedures. Soil properties were tested for normality and compared for the two sites using Student’s t-test. Principal component analysis and correlation analysis were performed on tree and soil data to identify soil factors responsible for spatial distribution. From our findings, key soil indicators favouring Pericopsis elata distribution appear to be acidity (soil pH and exchangeable acidity), base status (base saturation and exchangeable bases) and texture (clay content). More specifically, optimal soil conditions for growth and survival of Pericopsis elata are: pH (4.1 - 5.0), exchangeable acidity (&#183kg-1), base saturation (6.2% - 17.8%), and clay content (24.0% - 49.0%), which should be considered in site selection for reforestation with Pericopsis elata.

Tree species diversity and utilities in a contracting lowland hillside rainforest fragment in Central Vietnam

BackgroundWithin the highly bio-diverse ‘Northern Vietnam Lowland Rain Forests Ecoregion’ only small, and mostly highly modified forestlands persist within vast exotic-species plantations. The aim of this study was to elucidate vegetation patterns of a secondary hillside rainforest remnant (elevation 120–330 m, 76 ha) as an outcome of natural processes, and anthropogenic processes linked to changing forest values.MethodsIn the rainforest remnant tree species and various bio-physical parameters (relating to soils and terrain) were surveyed on forty 20 m × 20 m sized plots. The forest's vegetation patterns and tree diversity were analysed using dendrograms, canonical correspondence analysis, and other statistical tools.ResultsForest tree species richness was high (172 in the survey, 94 per hectare), including many endemic species (>16%; some recently described). Vegetation patterns and diversity were largely explained by topography, with colline/sub-montane species present mainly along hillside ridges, and lowland/humid-tropical species predominant on lower slopes. Scarcity of high-value timber species reflected past logging, whereas abundance of light-demanding species, and species valued for fruits, provided evidence of human-aided forest restoration and ‘enrichment’ in terms of useful trees. Exhaustion of sought-after forest products, and decreasing appreciation of non-wood products concurred with further encroachment of exotic plantations in between 2010 and 2015. Regeneration of rare tree species was reduced probably due to forest isolation.ConclusionsDespite long-term anthropogenic influences, remnant forests in the lowlands of Vietnam can harbor high plant biodiversity, including many endangered species. Various successive future changes (vanishing species, generalist dominance, and associated forest structural-qualitative changes) are, however, expected to occur in small forest fragments. Lowland forest biodiversity can only be maintained if forest fragments maintain a certain size and/or are connected via corridors to larger forest networks. Preservation of the forests may be fostered using new economic incentive schemes.

The impacts of selective logging and clear-cutting on woody plant diversity after 40years of natural recovery in a tropical montane rain forest, south China.

Historically, clear-cutting and selective logging have been the commercial logging practices. However, the effect of these pervasive timber extraction methods on biodiversity in tropical forests is still poorly understood. In this study, we compared abiotic factors, species diversity, community composition, and structure between ca. 40-year-old clear-cut (MCC); ca. 40-year-old selectively logged (MSL); and tropical old growth montane rain forests (MOG) on Hainan Island, China. Results showed that there were a large number of trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) <30cm in the two logged forests. Additionally, the two logged forests only had 40% of the basal area of the large trees (DBH≥30cm) found in the old growth forest. The species richness and Shannon-Wiener diversity indices generally showed no difference among the three forest types. MCC had 70% of the species richness of the large trees in the MOG, whereas MSL and MOG had similar species richness. High value timber species had similar species richness among the three forest types, but a lower abundance and basal area of large trees in MCC. The species composition was distinct between the three forests. Large trees belonging to the family Fagaceae dominated in the logged forests and played a more important role in the old growth forest. Huge trees (DBH≥70cm) were rare in MCC, but were frequently found in MSL. Most abiotic factors varied inconsistently among the three forest types and few variables related to species diversity, community structure and composition. Our study indicated that MSL had a relatively faster recovery rate than MCC in a tropical montane rain forest after 40years, but both logged forests had a high recovery potential over a long-term.

Response of directly seeded high-value timber species to microorganisms, fertiliser and a water retention polymer: implications for reforestation of agricultural lands in Southeast Asia

High-value native timber species are being promoted in reforestation in Southeast Asia. However, slow growth during early establishment, coupled with poor soil fertility, poses challenges for promoting tree planting programs. Field trials were undertaken on agroforestry land in Thailand to examine the efficacy of reforestation treatments. The first trial examined the effect of applying microorganisms and fertiliser on directly seeded Acacia mangium Willdenow, Dalbergia cochinchinensis Pierre and Xylia xylocarpa (Roxburgh) Theobald. After 20 months, a mixed inoculum of arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal fungi improved survival and basal diameter of D. cochinchinensis by 15 and 43%, respectively. The co-inoculation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and N2-fixing bacteria improved survival by 17%. The second trial investigated the effects of fertiliser and a water retention polymer on directly seeded A. mangium, Afzelia xylocarpa (Kurz) Craib, D. cochinchinensis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnhardt, Sindora cochinchinensis Baillon and X. xylocarpa. Height was improved by 40% at 20 months. Our findings suggest that reforestation is viable, provided that suitable treatments are used. These principles can be applied for reforestation of nutrient-impoverished soils of continental Southeast Asia.

Single-tree management for high-value timber species in a cool-temperate mixed forest in northern Japan

ABSTRACTHigh-value hardwood species such as monarch birch (Betula maximowicziana) and castor aralia (Kalopanax septemlobus) are important economic and ecological elements of cool-temperate mixed forests in northern Japan. This article presents the single-tree management system for high-value timber species as practised for 50 years at the University of Tokyo Hokkaido Forest. Nearly 2000 valuable broad-leaved trees meeting the size and quality criteria have been registered as ‘superior trees’, and their status is periodically monitored for timing of harvest. A case study was conducted using 2105 inventory plots to characterize the stand types in which superior trees occur. A total of 57 superior trees of 11 broad-leaved species was found in 2.2% of the inventory plots. The results indicated that superior trees generally grew in mature species-rich stands. Superior trees of some species may have promoted their abundance by dispersing relatively more seeds to the surroundings. Single-tree management facilitates the sustainable use of high-value timber species by explicitly monitoring the numbers, attributes and locations of superior trees, and contributes to conserving stand structural diversity through protection of these large-sized canopy trees, which promotes ecological values such as biomass and carbon storage, species diversity, seed abundance and bird habitat. The production of fancy wood from superior trees earns significant income through extremely high log prices (maximum > 20,000 USD m–3).EDITED BY Nicholas Brokaw

Management of oak forests: striking a balance between timber production, biodiversity and cultural services

ABSTRACTIdentification of the ecosystem services provided by oak-dominated forests in southern Sweden is a prerequisite for ensuring their conservation and sustainable management. These forests seem well-suited for multiple-use forestry, but knowledge is limited regarding how to manage them for multiple uses. Management for the production of high-value timber species like oaks and management to conserve biodiversity, or for cultural services can be in conflict with each other. This study evaluates the capacity of three contrasting management regimes to provide societies with economic revenue from timber production, habitats for biodiversity and cultural services, and the study analyses associated trade-offs and synergies. The three regimes were: intensive oak timber production (A), combined management for both timber production and biodiversity (B) and biodiversity conservation without management intervention (C). We synthesized relevant scientific literature, governmental statistics and grey literature. Our assessments identified that Regime A provided the highest levels of economic returns and the lowest level of biodiversity. Regime C provided higher levels of habitat provision but at expense of wood production and cultural services. In contrast, Regime B provided a balanced delivery of timber production, biodiversity conservation and cultural services. We identified several stand-management options which provide comparatively synergistic outcomes in ecosystem services delivery. The use of these management options in combination with more traditional stand-management approaches may be a more effective means of achieving sustainable forest goods and services.EDITED BY Nicholas Brokaw

Differential Performance between Two Timber Species in Forest Logging Gaps and in Plantations in Central Africa

To develop silvicultural guidelines for high-value timber species of Central African moist forests, we assessed the performance of the pioneer Milicia excelsa (iroko, Moraceae), and of the non-pioneer light demander Pericopsis elata (assamela, Fabaceae) in logging gaps and in plantations in highly degraded areas in south-eastern Cameroon. The survival and size of each seedling was regularly monitored in the silvicultural experiments. Differences in performance and allometry were tested between species in logging gaps and in plantations. The two species performance in logging gaps was significantly different from plantations and concurred with the expectations of the performance trade-off hypothesis but not with the expectations of species light requirements. The pioneer M. excelsa survived significantly better in logging gaps while the non-pioneer P. elata grew significantly faster in plantations. The high mortality and slow growth of M. excelsa in plantations is surprising for a pioneer species but could be explained by herbivory (attacks from a gall-making psyllid). Identifying high-value native timber species (i) with good performance in plantations such as P. elata is of importance to restore degraded areas; and (ii) with good performance in logging gaps such as M. excelsa is of importance to maintain timber resources and biodiversity in production forests.

Carbon stocks, tree diversity, and the role of organic certification in different cocoa production systems in Alto Beni, Bolivia

This study compares aboveground and belowground carbon stocks and tree diversity in different cocoa cultivation systems in Bolivia: monoculture, simple agroforestry, and successional agroforestry, as well as fallow as a control. Since diversified, agroforestry-based cultivation systems are often considered important for sustainable development, we also evaluated the links between carbon stocks and tree diversity, as well as the role of organic certification in transitioning from monoculture to agroforestry. Biomass, tree diversity, and soil physiochemical parameters were sampled in 15 plots measuring 48 × 48 m. Semi-structured interviews with 52 cocoa farmers were used to evaluate the role of organic certification and farmers’ organizations (e.g., cocoa cooperatives) in promoting tree diversity. Total carbon stocks in simple agroforestry systems (128.4 ± 20 Mg ha−1) were similar to those on fallow plots (125.2 ± 10 Mg ha−1). Successional agroforestry systems had the highest carbon stocks (143.7 ± 5.3 Mg ha−1). Monocultures stored significantly less carbon than all other systems (86.3 ± 4.0 Mg ha−1, posterior probability P(Diff > 0) of 0.000–0.006). Among shade tree species, Schizolobium amazonicum, Centrolobium ochroxylum, and Anadenanthera sp. accumulated the most biomass. High-value timber species (S. amazonicum, C. ochroxylum, Amburana cearensis, and Swietenia macrophylla) accounted for 22.0 % of shade tree biomass. The Shannon index and tree species richness were highest in successional agroforestry systems. Cocoa plots on certified organic farms displayed significantly higher tree species richness than plots on non-certified farms. Thus, expanding the coverage of organic farmers’ organizations may be an effective strategy for fostering transitions from monoculture to agroforestry systems.

Putting Back the Trees: Smallholder Silvicultural Enrichment of Post-Logged Concession Forest in Peruvian Amazonia

This paper presents a case of planting and management of natural regeneration of shihuahuaco (Dipteryx spp.) by recent migrants in a Peruvian Amazonian logging frontier. We interviewed residents of three communities of smallholders in Irazola District, Province of Padre Abad, Region of Ucayali, located within the historic and actual boundaries of an active logging concession, and conducted growth studies of shihuahuaco trees planted in two mixed-species agroforestry fields, over a period of 3 years. We found that the majority of landholders were managing the natural regeneration of valuable hardwood timber trees, and planting seedlings on their lands. Growth of shihuahuaco trees in agroforestry fields was comparable to growth rates in managed silvicultural plantations, which suggests the potential for local smallholders activities to contribute to conservation of genetic stock and eventual renewal of populations depleted by logging. We recommend greater recognition and inclusion of local people, with their innovative and productive silvicultural practices, in efforts to remediate the impacts of selective logging of high-value timber species.

Prospects for Sustainable Logging in Tropical Forests

A convincing body of evidence shows that as it is presently codified, sustainable forest-management (SFM) logging implemented at an industrial scale guarantees commercial and biological depletion of high-value timber species within three harvests in all three major tropical forest regions. The minimum technical standards necessary for approaching ecological sustainability directly contravene the prospects for financial profitability. Therefore, industrial-scale SFM is likely to lead to the degradation and devaluation of primary tropical forests as surely as widespread conventional unmanaged logging does today. Recent studies also show that logging in the tropics, even using SFM techniques, releases significant carbon dioxide and that carbon stocks once stored in logged timber and slash takes decades to rebuild. These results beg for a reevaluation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change proposals to apply a Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation subsidy for the widespread implementation of SFM logging in tropical forests. However, encouraging models of the successful sustainable management of tropical forests for timber and nontimber products exist at local-community scales.

Implementing multiple forest management in Brazil nut-rich community forests: Effects of logging on natural regeneration and forest disturbance

The encroachment of the logging frontier into Western Amazonia, where non-timber extraction has historically driven regional economies, provides an opportunity to explore the practice of multiple-use forest management. Families are now harvesting timber in their Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa)-rich community-titled forests, and we examined effects of formal and informal logging (with and without government-approved management plans, respectively) on forest disturbance and natural regeneration (individuals ⩽10cmdbh) of B. excelsa and 10 timber species in Northern Bolivia. B. excelsa regeneration densities 2–5years after timber harvests did not differ between unlogged or logged (formally nor informally) sites; densities were, however, greater in larger logging disturbances (i.e., log landings vs skid trails), corroborating our model in which canopy openness explained regeneration densities. Regeneration of the two most valuable timber species, Swietenia macrophylla and Amburana cearensis, rarely occurred, and only where conspecific trees were felled, implying that population recovery of selected species may need post-harvest silvicultural interventions. In contrast, two other high-value timber species (Cedrela odorata and Dipteryx odorata) responded favorably to disturbances. Contrary to our expectations and reported industrial-scale findings, formal logging resulted in a larger percentage, but still acceptable level, of disturbed area than informal logging (10.6%±0.65 SE vs 6.9%±1.26 SE; p=0.047).Our overall finding that Brazil nut regeneration was unaffected by low logging intensities suggests that combined Brazil nut and timber harvests are compatible under certain circumstances. Still, adhering to legal requirements has been challenging for individual landholders. Preparing legally-required management plans without assistance is difficult, and individual landholders seek to harvest timber over multiple years, which is discouraged by formal logging that indirectly entails one-time extraction of nearly all commercial stems from the approximately 200ha of forest landholders dedicate to timber production. Thus, reconciliation of legal requirements with community conditions is fundamental to long-term success of multiple-use forest management.

The status of the domestication of African mahogany (&lt;em&gt;Khaya senegalensis&lt;/em&gt;) in Australia, as documented in the CD ROM Proceedings of a 2006 Workshop

Le résumé en français est disponible dans le fichier PDF de l'article. A Workshop was held in Townsville, Queensland, Australia in May 2006 entitled: "Where to from here with R&amp;D to underpin plantations of highvalue timber species in the ¿seasonally-dry¿ tropics of northern Australia?" Its focus was on African mahogany, Khaya senegalensis, and followed a broader-ranging Workshop with a similar theme held in Mareeba, Queensland in 2004. The 2006 Workshop comprised eight technical working sessions over two days preceded by a field trip to look at local trial plantings of African mahogany. The working sessions covered R&amp;D in: tree improvement, nutrition, soils, silviculture, establishment, management, productivity, pests, diseases, wood properties; and R&amp;D needs and management. (Résumé d'auteur)

How rare is too rare to harvest?: Management challenges posed by timber species occurring at low densities in the Brazilian Amazon

Tropical forests are characterized by diverse assemblages of plant and animal species compared to temperate forests. Corollary to this general rule is that most tree species, whether valued for timber or not, occur at low densities (<1 adult tree ha −1) or may be locally rare. In the Brazilian Amazon, many of the most highly valued timber species occur at extremely low densities yet are intensively harvested with little regard for impacts on population structures and dynamics. These include big-leaf mahogany ( Swietenia macrophylla), ipê ( Tabebuia serratifolia and Tabebuia impetiginosa), jatobá ( Hymenaea courbaril), and freijó cinza ( Cordia goeldiana). Brazilian forest regulations prohibit harvests of species that meet the legal definition of rare – fewer than three trees per 100 ha – but treat all species populations exceeding this density threshold equally. In this paper we simulate logging impacts on a group of timber species occurring at low densities that are widely distributed across eastern and southern Amazonia, based on field data collected at four research sites since 1997, asking: under current Brazilian forest legislation, what are the prospects for second harvests on 30-year cutting cycles given observed population structures, growth, and mortality rates? Ecologically ‘rare’ species constitute majorities in commercial species assemblages in all but one of the seven large-scale inventories we analyzed from sites spanning the Amazon (range 49–100% of total commercial species). Although densities of only six of 37 study species populations met the Brazilian legal definition of a rare species, timber stocks of five of the six timber species declined substantially at all sites between first and second harvests in simulations based on legally allowable harvest intensities. Reducing species-level harvest intensity by increasing minimum felling diameters or increasing seed tree retention levels improved prospects for second harvests of those populations with a relatively high proportion of submerchantable stems, but did not dramatically improve projections for populations with relatively flat diameter distributions. We argue that restrictions on logging very low-density timber tree populations, such as the current Brazilian standard, provide inadequate minimum protection for vulnerable species. Population declines, even if reduced-impact logging (RIL) is eventually adopted uniformly, can be anticipated for a large pool of high-value timber species unless harvest intensities are adapted to timber species population ecology, and silvicultural treatments are adopted to remedy poor natural stocking in logged stands.

Technical Challenges to Sustainable Forest Management in Concessions on Public Lands in the Brazilian Amazon

Brazil's new Public Forests law authorizes concessions-based industrial forest management in Amazonian national public forests covering 13 million hectares within the next decade, expanding eventually to 50 million hectares or an area, the size of Spain. Both logging and conservation industries have promoted concessions management as a solution to chaotic land tenure and widespread illegal logging in the Brazilian Amazon. Here we evaluate technical aspects of actually managing concession forests at the proposed spatial scale and time-frame. The current best-practices logging system in Amazonia, reduced-impact logging (RIL), is not widely employed by the logging industry and does not ensure sustained-yield timber production in the absence of silvicultural practices promoting growth and regeneration in logged stands. Current legislated logging standards—for example, maximum per unit area harvest intensity, minimum diameter felling limit, seed tree retention rate, and 25- to 35-year cutting cycles—guarantee commercial depletion or extirpation of many high-value timber species over multiple cutting cycles. An estimated 10,450 field technicians will need to be trained in best-practices forest management within the next decade in order to adequately staff the proposed Brazilian Forest Service whose mandate it will be to oversee this vast undertaking, to expand field staff of the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) and of state environmental agencies whose responsibility it is to regulate forest management, and to provide trained workers for the logging industry operating within concessions. What “sustainable forest management” means to various audiences must be clarified, and common ground identified among these audiences specifically addressing demands that will be made on national forests. Forest management systems integrating both operational and silvicultural practices must then be developed according to regional and local forest conditions. This will require renewed investment in technical research and capacity building, serving both the logging industry and government agencies charged with ensuring industry adherence to national forest legislation.

Technical and financial analysis of enrichment planting in logging gaps as a potential component of forest management in the eastern Amazon

Studies of natural regeneration in logged forests indicate that without silvicultural intervention, succession in logging gaps may not result in establishment and recruitment rates adequate for sustained timber production from many tree species. I investigated the potential for management of timber tree species regeneration in disturbed areas within logged forest at a moist forest site in the eastern Amazon, through experimental introduction of seeds and seedlings of six timber species to logging gaps ranging in size from 165 to 455 m 2. I tested the effect of tending (removing competing vegetation) established seedlings in logging gaps at year 1 on seedling growth and survival over a 4-year period, and examined the influence of gap size on seedling development for each of the species. Seedling performance varied dramatically among logging gaps, related primarily to light conditions and competition. Tending was as important as gap size in determining sapling sizes at year 4 after planting. Projections based on species growth rates in logging gaps observed in this study suggest that individuals of all six species could recruit from seedling to minimum commercial size (50 cm dbh) within 60 years or less in logging gaps subjected to a regular thinning regime. Enrichment planting and tending of plants in logging gaps created in the first harvest could provide a substantial percentage of the timber volume in the third harvest, as well as serving to maintain viable populations of high-value timber species that appear unlikely to regenerate adequately in logged stands without direct interventions. However, low net present value of timber harvests projected for enrichment areas in year 60 relative to the upfront costs of this silvicultural treatment mean that widespread adoption of gap enrichment planting will likely only occur if financial incentives or new forest regulations are implemented.

Achievements in forest tree genetic improvement in Australia and New Zealand 3: Tree improvement of Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden

Summary Eucalyptus dunnii Maiden has been widely planted in subtropical Australia, with a total of almost 39 000 ha established in commercial plantations in northern NSW and southern Queensland. Internationally, it has become recognised as a premium pulpwood species and its sawing properties have been considered superior to those of Eucalyptus grandis. Forests NSW established a pedigreed tree improvement program for E. dunnii in 1995, and this is the most advanced program for this species in Australia. The main breeding population has been characterised for both pulpwood and sawlog traits, and improving the timber's dimensional stability during drying has been identified as a priority of the program. As clonal propagation of E. dunnii by cuttings is not an economic means to deploy improved germplasm into commercial plantations, Forests NSW has established three clonal seed orchards for solid wood and pulp end uses, and plans to establish a fourth in 2007. A range of E. dunnii hybrids with high-value timber species has been produced with the aim of improving the wood properties of the species.

Joint Forest Management In Chome Catchment Forest Reserve, Tanzania: The Role Of Socio-Economic And Institutional Factors In Determining Sustainable Forest Conservation

This study was conducted in Chome Catchment Forest Reserve, South Pare Mountains, Tanzania to assess the role of ecological, socio-economic and institutional factors in determining successful implementation of the Joint Forest Management approach. Data were collected through participatory rural appraisal techniques, household questionnaire surveys and key informant interviews. Data on timber resources were based on existing inventories and direct observations. It was observed that the volume of timber resources in the forest is among the highest known for the Eastern Arc forests. Over 72% of this volume consists of high value timber species, making this resource an extremely desirable option for income generation. Household income is at par with other Eastern Arc areas but existing land scarcity is relatively higher. Household plot sizes tend to be as small as (>0.44 ha) with population density of about 13 persons ha-1. Farm plot fragmentation through inheritance is also high. Limited livelihood options, high timber demands and poor resources accessibility are the major drivers of illegal timber harvesting in the reserve by adjacent communities. Illegal timber harvesting was estimated at 100.7 thousand m3 per annum between 1998 and 2001. The implementation of joint forest management, centered on Village Environmental Councils, lacks clear guidelines on institutional responsibilities and duties leading to its failure. A number of other factors including corruption, policing difficulties and inadequate benefit sharing contribute to management failure. It is recommended that joint forest management be developed and implemented in a holistic framework which promotes alternative livelihood options; reduce dependency on forest-based income and strength institutional structures through legal frameworks. It is proposed that the forest sector expand its management approach through adopting a multi-disciplinary approach which incorporates external sectors, particularly agriculture. TJFNC Vol. 76 2007: pp. 1-10