Multipurpose Forest Management Research Articles

Analysis of the Stocks and Conditions of Harvesting for Forest Berries with Considering Their Spatial Distribution and Availability

Within the framework of the multi-purpose forest management concept, the resource and economic potential of harvesting wild berries was analyzed under different forest management scenarios. As a tool for forecasting and analysis, scenario-based simulation was used to model the forest ecosystems dynamics under the clearcut and the selective felling management types. The object of research is the Pashe-Kapetskoe district forestry of the Leningrad Region, the calculation was carried out for a period of 120 years. Based on the forest condition types’, species composition and simulated illumination at the ground level data, the potential productivity of wild berries was calculated. The most productive resources on the territory were bilberry and lingonberries, the predicted yield of which reaches 25–48 t/ha and 7–15 t/ha respectively. Zoning of the territory was carried out according to the resources availability for industrial harvesting, taking into account the interests of the local population. 37–48% of the wild berries harvest was available for industrial harvesting, about 30% was allocated for the needs of the local population, and 27–36% of the resource remained in economically inaccessible areas. The most promising was the scenario with artificial restoration of 50% of the clearcut areas and a full maintenance cycle. For this scenario, the maximum profitability was predicted from both the food resources procurement (4.1–5.7 million rubles per year) and the harvesting of timber.

Повышение эффективности многоцелевого лесопользования на выработанных торфяниках

A more complete involvement and effective use of non-timber forest resources is one of the most pressing problems in the development of the forest complex of the Russian Federation within the framework of ensuring multi-purpose, rational and sustainable forest management. The creation of forest berry plantations will resolve the issue of biological reclamation of depleted peatlands, as well as increase the productivity of wild berries and the biological diversity of unused forest lands. The work is aimed at studying the prospects of using clonal micropropagation as the most effective way of producing high-quality cultivar planting material of forest berry plants for laying out plantations on reclaimed depleted peatlands. The paper presents the results of research on clonal micropropagation of forest berry plants – half highbush blueberry and swamp cranberry of promising cultivars and hybrid forms, as well as their adaptation to the conditions of depleted peat deposits. The data on the formation of microshoots and roots of blueberry and cranberry plants on Woody Plant Medium (WPM) using growth-regulating substances are presented. The maximum total length of microshoots was observed in half highbush blueberry (23.7 cm) at the cytokinin 2-iP concentration of 3.0 mg/L, and in swamp cranberry (22.7 cm) at the 2-iP concentration of 0.5 mg/L at the stage of proper micropropagation. The maximum total length of roots of half highbush blueberry (12.1 cm) and swamp cranberry (51.7 cm) was observed at the IAA auxin concentration of 1.0 mg/L at the stage of rooting in vitro. The data on plant survival rate in non-sterile conditions in vivo depending on the composition of the substrate and in natural conditions on depleted peatlands are presented. The highest survival rate of blueberry plants was observed on the substrate of transitional peat and sphagnum (95–98 %), cranberry – on the substrate of highmoor peat and sphagnum (100 %) at the stage of adaptation to non-sterile conditions in vivo. The survival rate of plants of half highbush blueberry and swamp cranberry reached 100 % in the conditions of depleted peatlands. Clonal micropropagation is the most effective way to obtain high-quality healthy planting material of forest berry plants for the rapid propagation of promising cultivars and hybrid forms and its further use in the creation of plantations in order to reclaim depleted peatlands within the framework of the organization of multipurpose forest management.

Lessons from Managing for the Extremes: A Case for Decentralized, Adaptive, Multipurpose Forest Management within an Ecological Framework

Multipurpose and ecological forest management frameworks are being increasingly applied across the Global North on public lands. However, the discourse and practice of public forest management in much of the developing world are captured by extreme approaches of single-crop (usually timber) production and strict canopy-cover protection, as exemplified by the case of Nepal. We combine insights from field research with published documents and trace the consequences of prevalent management regimes on the ecology and silviculture of Nepal’s public forests. We find that managing for either extreme of timber production or forest protection can degrade forest ecosystems and affect their capacity to address the increasing number of demands placed on them. A history of narrow management outlooks has erased indigenous silvicultural practices and discouraged the development of novel silvicultural solutions to address today’s environmental concerns. Government initiatives advancing singular objectives, such as Nepal’s Scientific Forest Management program, often crumble under political resistance. Forest users in Nepal are widely interested in generating diverse benefits from their forests, including non-commercial products and services, suggesting a mandate for multipurpose management. We present a decentralized adaptive modality of multipurpose management featuring a silviculture that more closely matches the ecology of forests.

The effects of species-composition-oriented silviculture on timber value and carbon – a stand-level case study in subtropical China

ABSTRACT Species selection and composition in afforestation affect forest characteristics, which, in turn, affect the quality and quantity of ecosystem services a forest provides to society. Trade-offs and synergies among the various forest goods and services are key issues in multipurpose forest management. In this study, we propose a stand-level integrated analysis framework applying the dynamic forest simulator PICUS v1.5 and techno-economic analysis to assess the effects of a range of species-composition-oriented silvicultural options on timber value and carbon sequestration in subtropical China. The aim is to inform stakeholders on the costs and benefits of the stand-level options. Taking Pinus massoniana and Castanopsis hystrix to represent dominant native conifers and broadleaves, respectively, in subtropical China, five typical silvicultural options were studied: P. massoniana monoculture with normal and high density (stems ha−1); C. hystrix pure stands; and even-aged and uneven-aged mixtures of both species. Results indicate that the uneven-aged mixture performed better in carbon sequestration than the other four options. The even-aged mixture showed better combined benefits of timber production and carbon sequestration and additional advantages in balancing long- and short-term benefits over 50 years. Furthermore, the even-aged mixture had the strongest adaptability to market fluctuations. The uneven-aged mixture performed best economically among the five options in scenarios of future higher timber prices. The results will inform stakeholders about the performance of stand-level silvicultural options with respect to revenues and environmental benefits to society.

Innovations and institutional transformations in the forest industry of Russia

The work presents the concepts of innovations and institutional transformations happening in the forest industry of Russia, which plays a special role in the national economy. Theoretical aspects of innovations development and institutional transformations in the forest industry, with particular stress on institutional and ecological innovations, as well as institutional background and framework for innovative development of the forest industry, are discussed. The components of the Russian forest complex, resulting from abundant Russian forest resources and their great role and importance for the economy, are presented. The socio-economic, ecological, recreational and another importance of the Russian forests is revealed too. There are defining institutions and main institutional problems in the forest industry, which play a crucial role in the forest industry development. To evaluate innovations and institutional transformations in the forest industry, the effectiveness of innovations is suggested for evaluation using the cross-sectional regression model presented, as well as the model for evaluation of the role of institutional innovations in the forest industry. The ongoing solutions for sustainable development of the forest industry and for effective multi-purpose forest management are suggested in accordance with the measures planned by the President and Russian government.

СТРУКТУРА ЗАДАЧ РАЗВИТИЯ ЛЕСНОГО КОМПЛЕКСА В ЦИФРОВОЙ ЭКОНОМИКЕ

Insufficient knowledge of the state of development of the forest sector and rural areas of the Russian regions determined the focus of this study. The subject of the study is the prospects for the development of the forest sector and rural areas in the digital economy. The goals were to develop theoretical provisions and practical recommendations for improving interaction. In the course of the study, methodological approaches of general scientific and special nature were used. The study resulted in the following conclusions: currently, there are no unambiguous and clearly formulated answers to the directions of joint development of the forest sector and rural areas of the Russian regions in the digital economy. A multisectoral approach is required to the digitalization of the forest sector and rural territories of the Russian regions and targeted actions of state bodies, business structures, population development potential of the forest sector and rural areas, and in previously adopted program needs to be amended. A new system of scientific support for the development of the forest sector and rural areas of the Russian regions is required, as well as an immediate transition to intensive multi-purpose forest management. Practical implementation of the proposed measures for cooperation in the development of the forest complex and rural areas of the Russian regions will contribute to improving the quality of life in rural areas.

Between biodiversity conservation and sustainable forest management – A multidisciplinary assessment of the emblematic Białowieża Forest case

The tension between biodiversity conservation and multipurpose forest management may lead to conflicts. An internationally prominent example is the Białowieża Forest Massif (BFM), an extensive forest complex with high levels of naturalness. We apply a systematic, multidisciplinary assessment process to review empirical evidence on different dimensions of the BFM conflict. While there is broad consensus that this forest massif is an exceptional place worth conserving and that a way forward is a zonation system combining conservation with management, exactly how this should be done has yet to be agreed upon. Our assessment shows that the key reasons for the BFM controversy go beyond the availability of knowledge on the ecological status of the BFM and include: 1) evidence stemming from different sources, which is often contradictory and prone to different interpretations; 2) knowledge gaps, particularly with regard to socio-economic drivers and beneficiaries as well as uncertainties about future trends; 3) fundamentally different values and priorities among stakeholder groups, resulting in power struggles, and an overall lack of trust. We conclude that evidence-based knowledge alone is insufficient to cope with complex conservation conflicts. While more evidence may help assess the consequences of decisions, the actual management decisions depend on different actors' worldviews, which are rooted in their professional identities and power, and their political and legal realities. This calls for conflict management through a well-organized participatory process organized and supervised by a body deemed legitimate by the groups involved.

Potential of UAV photogrammetry for characterization of forest canopy structure in uneven-aged mixed conifer–broadleaf forests

ABSTRACT Forest canopy structure is an important parameter in multipurpose forest management. An understanding of forest structure plays a particularly important role in the management of uneven-aged forests. The identification of vertical and horizontal variations in forest canopy structure using a ground-based survey is resource intensive, hence often demands for alternative data sources. In this study, one of the advanced remote sensing (RS) techniques, i.e. digital aerial photogrammetry was used to characterize forest canopy structure in a mixed conifer–broadleaf forest. We used aerial imagery acquired with a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform to produce RS metrics that could be used to classify and map forest structure types at landscape scale. Our results demonstrated that few structural and spectral metrics derived from UAV photogrammetric data, e.g. mean height, standard deviation of height, canopy cover, and percentage broadleaf vegetation cover, could characterize the forest structure across landscapes, particularly at the forest management compartment level, in a limited amount of time. We used cluster analysis for classification of forest structure types and identified five forest structure classes with varying levels of forest canopy structural complexity: (1) short, open-canopy, conifer-dominated structure; (2) short, dense-canopy, broadleaf-dominated structure; (3) tall, closed-canopy, broadleaf-dominated structure; (4) very tall, closed-canopy, conifer-dominated structure with a relatively high degree of variation in canopy height; and (5) very tall, closed-canopy, conifer-dominated structure with a relatively low degree of variation in canopy height. These classes showed relationships with forest management activities (e.g. selection harvesting) and natural disturbances (e.g. typhoon damage). Spatial distribution of forest canopy structural complexity that was revealed in this study is capable of providing important information for forest management planning and habitat modelling. Further, the simple, and flexible data-driven method used in this study to characterize forest structure has the potential to be applied with necessary changes over larger landscapes and different forest types for characterizing and mapping forest structural complexity.

A Multi-Objective Programming Model for Forest Management Planning Problem to Sustain Water Allocation

Forest management planning is placed not only on managing timber production but also on maintaining forest ecosystem values, such as water preservation. Thus, the meaning of sustainable forest management has broadened from sustainable timber management to ecosystem-based multipurpose forest management. This paper discusses the need to preserve water by forest in such a way the water will flow to rivers to be used as a resource to generate hydroelectric power plant. The problem is then modeled as a multi-objective integer programs.

Retention and redistribution of biological legacies generate resource sinks in silvopastoral systems of Arid Chaco forests

BackgroundForests are used for multiple purposes worldwide, which often include timber harvest, firewood extraction and livestock raising. An excessive pressure on multipurpose systems may decrease soil cover, promoting soil erosion and causing the loss of other resources, as litter and seeds. Retention forestry practices can help to decrease or mitigate resource loss in the managed stands. Specifically, retaining and redistributing biological legacies (e.g. logs, branches, woody debris) at strategic locations can create sediment, litter, and seed-sinks in the silvopastoral systems. In addition, grazing management could increase or, even, decrease the success of this practice. In this study, we assessed the effect of branch barriers and grazing management on resource run-off/run-on processes in silvopastoral systems of Arid Chaco (Córdoba, Argentina). To do this, a 2-ha area was divided in two paddocks that were randomly assigned to different grazing managements: winter vs. continuous grazing. We randomly selected 22 water run-off paths in each paddock, and in the half of them, we build elongated branch piles. In each run-off path (with and without branch barriers), we recorded the amount of accumulated and lost sediment (during the rainy season), litter biomass, germinable seed bank, richness and cover of plant species, and richness and density of seedlings and saplings of woody species.ResultsBranch barriers promoted sediment accumulation during the first and the second year of the study, depending on grazing management. The temporal and spatial scale of the effect of the branch barriers also depended on grazing management. Branch barriers also trapped litter and seeds, which may have increased the richness and density of seedlings and saplings of woody species.ConclusionsBy intercepting the dominant flow of erosive agents, branch barriers trapped sediment, litter, and propagules of different species. A greater amount of sediment and litter would have improved microsite quality, favouring seed germination and seedling emergence of tree and shrub species, which are key to maintain and/or reconstitute the structure and composition of the forest community in the long term. Therefore, redistributing biological legacies at strategic locations can be a useful and cost-less retention forestry practice to be applied in multipurpose forest management and conservation strategies.

Особливості організації обліку розрахунків з бізнес-партнерами щодо екологічної діяльності лісогосподарського підприємства

Необхідною умовою екологічно сталого, екозбалансованого функціонування підприємств лісового комплексу є відповідність між взаємозв'язаними його структурними елементами – раціональне використання та відтворення лісових ресурсів. Це завдання має вирішувати лісогосподарський менеджмент. У сучасному менеджменті щоразу чіткіше проявляється значення системних знань про значення лісових ресурсів, що дають змогу не тільки своєчасно і якісно управляти поточним лісокористуванням, але й прогнозувати розвиток подій у лісоресурсній сфері, зокрема в соціально-екологічному аспекті. Управління лісоекологічною діяльністю доцільно проводити з використанням системного підходу, оскільки дослідження взаємодії лісогосподарювання, навколишнього середовища та населення визначає умови, які могли б сприяти сталому лісокористуванню. Облік розрахунків із постачальниками та підрядниками є найважливішою ділянкою бухгалтерської роботи, оскільки на цьому етапі формується основна частина доходів та грошових надходжень підприємств. Поглиблення сутнісно-змістовної основи екологізації управління з позиції функціонального, системного, ситуаційного та процесного підходів є необхідною умовою подальшого розвитку економічних механізмів та методів екологічного менеджменту в контексті принципів сталого багатоцільового лісокористування та екосистемного управління лісами. Розглянуто особливості організації обліку розрахунків з партнерами по бізнесу щодо екологічної діяльності лісогосподарського підприємства. Оцінено потенціал існуючих розробок щодо організації обліку розрахунків із партнерами по бізнесу підприємств. Розроблено прикладні пропозиції щодо розрахунків лісогосподарського підприємства з партнерами по екологічній діяльності. Запропоновано організацію обліку розрахунків лісогосподарського підприємства щодо його екологічної діяльності з постачальниками, підрядниками, замовниками.

Multi-purpose forest management in the tropics: Incorporating values of carbon, biodiversity and timber in managing Tectona grandis (teak) plantations in Costa Rica

Plantation forestry is the ultimate alternative in reforesting degraded tropical ecosystems and in provisioning multiple ecosystem services beyond timber production. Therefore, we studied the management of Tectona grandis L.f. (teak) plantations in Costa Rica and simulated alternative management strategies incorporating simultaneously the values of carbon storage, biodiversity and timber production. Alternative management strategies included (1) extension of rotations, (2) reduced thinning and (3) conversion of even-aged to uneven-aged systems. Evaluation criteria were carbon storage in biomass, stand structural diversity as a proxy of biodiversity, and economic return from timber harvests. For growth predictions under future climatic conditions, we calibrated the hybrid forest growth model 3PG. We found that carbon storage could be increased by increasing rotation periods (e.g. +29.7% of carbon for a 50% increase in rotation length) and a no thinning management (+9.5% of carbon). For rotation extension associated economic losses were high (e.g. at 5% discount rate, the Land Expectation Value (LEV) decreased by 25.1% for a 50% extension of rotations). For thinning LEV increased with a low-thinning regime, but decreased with a no-thinning management (+9.5% and −23.6%, respectively). Payments for ecosystem services (PES) increased economic return by about 3–4%. Structural diversity increased by conversion to uneven-aged forest stands (Gini coefficients for basal area increased from 0.21 to 0.52). Economic returns from timber harvests were almost equal for even-aged and uneven-aged systems at 1% discount rate (max. −2% of LEV). At 5% discount rate, we observed economic losses of 11.1–20.1% compared to the even-aged scenario. At 10% discount rate, economic losses ranged between 43.6 and 104%. We concluded that extension of rotations and reduction of thinning intensity can be used as management strategies to increase the carbon storage of teak plantations. However, to compensate the associated economic losses through a PES scheme, payments for carbon sequestration need to be increased and special incentives for longer rotation periods and low thinning management need to be developed. The transformation into uneven-aged forest stands requires active investment at discount rates higher than 1%. Whether this investment can be offset by benefits from biodiversity and increased forest resilience is unknown and requires further investigations. Other measures of biodiversity conservation, such as the use of native and mixed tree species and the retention of old trees and deadwood are moreover necessary.

ANALYTIC HIERARCHY PROCESS APPLICATION FOR MULTIPLE PURPOSE FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT BUDGET ALLOCATION IN DURANGO, MEXICO

A very important aspect of natural resources management is determining optimal budget allocation to satisfy the needs and aspirations of multiple stakeholders. This is especially the case in developing countries like Mexico where budgetary funds are in short supply. There has been an increasing debate in Durango, Mexico, for example, about determining the most efficient way of allocating a budget for multi-purpose forest management. The debate has been triggered by a growing number of interests and stakeholders, which in addition to optimal timber production, have the desire to improve environmental conditions, water resource development, range and other non-timber resources production, and to provide better amenity values and expanded recreational opportunities. CONAFOR (COmisión NAcionale FORestal), the Mexican agency in charge of allocating funds to promote sustainable forest resources development, has been implementing four national programs: developments of forest resources, tree plantations, non-timber products, and water resources. In addition to these programs, the forest resources management decision-making process involves four interest groups and six management objectives independently connected in a hierarchical framework. Accordingly, the most suitable multi-objective/multi-criterion decision-making (MODM/MCDM) technique for optimal allocation of scarce budgetary funds among the four natural resources development programs is the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The two programs that receive the most funds are forest resources development and water resources/ environmental services development. In this way, the AHP can be used to optimally distribute scarce financial resources among competing programs to improve regional economic development and better satisfy the needs of various interest groups.

Legal Problems and Directions of Public Administration Improvement in the Field of Forest Relations

The modern system of public administration in the field of forest relations requires reviewing the existing and developing new theoretical and legal provisions and conceptual approaches that facilitate the balance between economic and social benchmarks for the use of forests along with the preservation of ecological potential of forests. In the context of intensification of the forest use, management activities cover a complex set of social relations, including not only forest management, reproduction, protection and rehabilitation of forests, but also a forestry complex that includes forestry and timber processing industries. Accordingly, state management in the field of forest relations should be seen in connection with the management of the forest complex. In the same way we should deal with the understanding and legal substantiation of the state forest policy constituting the foundation of the state forest management. The sphere of the state forest policy should include, along with the use, respect, protection and reproduction of forests, the forest complex. This approach requires improved strategic planning documents and other legal and political documents that will provide representation of the state policy in the sphere of forest relations and the forest complex, interrelation and harmonization of the provisions contained therein. An institutional framework of the state forest policy requires a comprehensive approach for improving the management system in these areas. It is necessary to clarify the competence and powers of special authorized bodies of state power of the Russian Federation and constituent entities of the Russian Federation in the field of forest relations and forest complex. Forest areas and forest parks that are the basic territorial units of management in the field of use, protection, and reproduction of forests are included into the key problems of the regional forest management. In the absence of the Forest Code of the Russian Federation, the concepts of "forest area" and "forest park" are assigned different legal statuses by the participants of legal relationships, including their legal form, structure, competence and authority. Along with defining the legal status of forest areas and forest parks, and determining the legal status of forest warderns, it is necessary to improve the implementation of the Federal State Forest Supervision Service (forest protection). Also, it is necessary to resolve the problems with regard to implementation of the functions of state management in the sphere of forest relations, such as forest management, development, approval and implementation of forest plans, information support of forest management, forest certification, etc. In order to increase investment attractiveness of the use of forest plots, it is necessary to improve the legal support of the multipurpose forest management. The state management efficiency in the field of forest relations and forest complex requires improving the forest and related (natural resources, environmental, tax, etc.) laws.

Особенности создания цифровой модели местности для проектирования транспортной сети многоцелевого лесопользования

При проектировании лесной транспортной сети в условиях многоцелевого, непрерывного и неистощительного лесопользования в рамках модели интенсивного лесного хозяйства, необходимо обладать информацией об экономической целесообразности транспортного освоения участков лесной территории. Для решения данной проблемы возможно создание цифровой модели местности (ЦММ), отражающей распределение чистого дохода (ЧД) от освоения лесов по территории объекта проектирования. Создание ЦММ включает в себя четыре этапа: сбор исходной информации; ГИС-анализ; определение ЧД; создание ЦММ в ГИС. На первом этапе осуществляется сбор данных, необходимых для определения значения ЧД и создания модели в ГИС. На втором этапе осуществляется интеграция данных в ГИС, их обработка и анализ с целью получения показателей для определения ЧД. На третьем этапе осуществляется расчет показателя ЧД для каждой первичной единицы транспортного освоения. На завершающем этапе, на базе вычисленных значений ЧД, в ГИС создается тематическая карта, отражающая уровни ЧД. Использование рассматриваемой методики позволяет сформировать ЦММ, которая наглядным образом отражает экономическую целесообразность транспортного освоения участков леса, что является основой для проектирования размещения элементов лесной транспортной сети. Методика создания ЦММ является составной частью более общей методики проектирования транспортной сети в условиях многоцелевого, непрерывного и неистощительного лесопользования. When designing the forest transport network in terms of multi-purpose, continuous and sustainable forest management in the framework of the model of intensive forest management requires information about the economic feasibility of the transport development in areas of forest land. To solve this problem, it is possible to create digital terrain model (DTM) showing the distribution of net income (NI) the forest areas with the forest transport network development. The technique of creating DTM includes four stages: collection of baseline information; GIS analysis; determination of the NI; the establishment of the DTM in GIS. The first stage is collecting the data necessary to determine the value NI and create a model in GIS. The second stage involves the integration of data into GIS, their processing and analysis with the aim of obtaining indicators for the determination of NI. In the third stage calculated NI for each primary unit of the transport network development. At the final stage, on the basis of specific values of NI in the GIS generated thematic map reflecting the levels of NI. Using this technique allows to creating DTM which visually reflects the economic feasibility of the transport development forest, what is the basis for the design and layout of the elements of the forest transportation network. The technique of developing ETM is integral part of a more General methodology for the design of the transport network in terms of multi-purpose, continuous and sustainable forest management.

Impact of forest management intensity on mushroom occurrence and yield with a simulation-based decision support system

Well-researched and sound integration of non-wood forest products into a forest management planning process presents an opportunity to understand the fundamental causative basis of forest dynamics through decision support systems (DSS). The aim of this study is to present a simulation-based mushroom integrated decision support system, ETÇAPSimulation model, and forecast the effects of forest management intensity on mushroom productivity and occurrence. This is conducted through five policy sets with different planning scenarios, representing timber-oriented forest management (T1), multipurpose forest management (M1, M4, M6), and no intervention (NI). The study area involves the Kızılcasu Planning unit from the northwestern part of Turkey. The spatial distribution and productivity models of Lactarius delisiosus and L. salmonicolor generated for the Kızılcasu Planning unit were used in the simulation based model. The results indicated that both minimum harvesting ages and the intensity of forest management interventions are very important for increasing mushroom productivity and occurrence in the case study area. Under the T1 forest management scenario, mushroom productivity is estimated to be approximately 12,469 tonnes. When the planning approach changes to NI, M1, M4 and M6, however, mushroom productivity experiences 86%, 28%, 26% and 33% reduction rates, respectively. Despite these reductions, spatial distribution of mushrooms has been positively affected by forest management interventions.Simulations with multipurpose management policy would probably lead lower estimations of spatial distribution areas and productivity of mushroom than timber-oriented forest management policy would. Multiple-use planning approach seems to contribute less to mushroom productivity and the occurrence than does timber-oriented approach. In fact, determining optimal harvesting ages and the intensity of forest management interventions for each forest value presents a great challenge for decision makers. The DSS tools like ETÇAPSimulation are of great importance to understand the long term effects of various management plans on forest dynamics. Active management of forest resources will be important for achieving simultaneous production of timber products and mushrooms.

Evaluation of Forest Dynamics Focusing on Various Minimum Harvesting Ages in Multi-Purpose Forest Management Planning

Aim of study: Exploring the potential effects of various forest management strategies on the ability of forest ecosystems to sequester carbon and produce water has become of great concern among forest researchers. The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of management strategies with different minimum harvesting ages on the amount and monetary worth of carbon, water and timber values.Area of study: The study was performed in the Yalnızçam planning unit located on the northeastern part of Turkey.Material and Methods: A forest management model with linear programming (LP) was developed to determine the effects of various minimum harvesting ages. Twenty-four different management strategies were developed to maximize the economic Net Present Value (NPV) of timber, water and carbon values in addition to their absolute quantities over time. Amount and NPV of forest values and ending inventory with different minimum harvesting ages were used as performance indicators to assess and thus understand forest dynamics.Main results: Amount and NPV of timber and carbon generally decreased with extended minimum harvesting ages. However, similar trends were not observed for water production values. The results pointed out that the performance of a management strategy depends highly on the development of a management strategy and the initial forest structure aside from the growth rate.Research highlights: Minimum harvesting ages affect forest outputs under the same objectives and constraints. Performance of a management strategy highly depends on initial age class structure in addition to the contents of a management strategy.Keywords: linear programming; forest management planning; carbon sequestration; water production; forest dynamics.

Goal programming approach for sustainable forest management (case study in Iranian Caspian forests)

We used a goal programming technique to determine the optimal harvest volume for the Iranian Caspian forest. We collected data including volume, growth, wood price at forest roadside, and variable harvesting costs. The allometric method was used to quantify sequestrated carbon. Regression analysis was used to derive growth models. Expected mean price was estimated using wood price and variable harvesting costs. Questionnaire was used to determine the constraints and the equation coefficients of the goal programming model. The optimal volume was determined using the goal programming method according to multipurpose forest management. LINGO software was used for analysis. Results indicated that the optimum volumes of species were 250.25 m3·ha−1 for beech, 59 m3·ha−1 for hornbeam, 73 m3·ha−1 for oak, 41 m3·ha−1 for alder, and 32 m3·ha−1 for other species. The total optimum volume is 455.25 m3·ha−1.

Sustaining Multifunctional Forestry Through the Developing of Social Capital and Promoting Participation: A Case of Multiethnic Mountain Communities

Communities with multicultural, ethnically diverse populations located in forest areas of the Carpathian Mountains often face serious social and economic problems, including high unemployment rates, weak social support and institutions with little stakeholder participation in decision-making. In this paper, we apply participatory scenario processes to address the development of multifunctional forestry in these mountains by taking as an example the case study of Slovensky Raj National Park and specifically focusing on the involvement of local communities, particularly the Roma minority, in sustainable forest management (SFM). The paper argues that development of local institutions and promotion of horizontal and vertical participation to increase social capital is necessary for addressing social and economic problems, managing potential conflicts and sustaining multifunctional forestry development. The results suggest that the way forward is the integration of multi-purpose forest management with community development, and that learning, repeated stakeholder interaction, trust-building and cooperation between and within multiethnic local communities are important preconditions for success. The scenario process applied turned out to be beneficial for both the majority and the minority populations, particularly allowing for discussions about future development of mountain regions, their local economies and communities, and for providing some guidance about what are the preferred actions for participation in multifunctional SFM.

Forest Management in Northeast China: History, Problems, and Challenges

Studies of the history and current status of forest resources in Northeast China have become important in discussions of sustainable forest management in the region. Prior to 1998, excessive logging and neglected cultivation led to a series of problems that left exploitable forest reserves in the region almost exhausted. A substantial decrease in the area of natural forests was accompanied by severe disruption of stand structure and serious degradation of overall forest quality and function. In 1998, China shifted the primary focus of forest management in the country from wood production to ecological sustainability, adopting ecological restoration and protection as key foci of management. In the process, China launched the Natural Forest Conversion Program and implemented a new system of Classification-based Forest Management. Since then, timber harvesting levels in Northeast China have decreased, and forest area and stocking levels have slowly increased. At present, the large area of low quality secondary forest lands, along with high levels of timber production, present researchers and government agencies in China with major challenges in deciding on management models and strategies that will best protect, restore and manage so large an area of secondary forest lands. This paper synthesizes information from a number of sources on forest area, stand characteristics and stocking levels, and forest policy changes in Northeastern China. Following a brief historical overview of forest harvesting and ecological research in Northeast China, the paper discusses the current state of forest resources and related problems in forest management in the region, concluding with key challenges in need of attention in order to meet the demands for multi-purpose forest sustainability and management in the future.