Timber Collection Research Articles

Factors affecting adoption of forestry social services: evidence from major forestry provinces in China

Analyzing the influence mechanism of the transformation of demand willingness and behavior of forestry social services (FSS) of farmers with different operation scales in the production process is crucial for promoting the modernization of the collective FSS system. Based on the survey data of 800 farmers in 3 provinces of China, this study uses the multivariate (Mv-) probit model to quantitatively analyze the mechanism of factor endowments’ influence on farmers’ deviation of demand willingness and choice behavior on three FSSs in the different scales: fine seed and cultivation technology service (SCTS), forest insect pest prevention and treatment service (IPTS), and timber collection and sale service (TCSS). Our results show that the demand rates of IPTS, SCTS, and TCSS are 80.25%, 68.00%, and 68.38%, respectively. Large-scale farmers are more willing to demand FSS than small and medium-scale farmers. However, their actual adoption behavior is low, and there are significant deviations in farmers’ demand willingness and adoption behavior for different types of FSS, i.e., 30.37%,12.62%, and 44.88% for SCTS, IPTS, and TCSS, respectively. Farmers’ transformation from demand willingness to adoption behavior is significantly affected by farmers’ characteristics. Compared with the farmers’ demand willingness model, the inhibitory factors for the transformation behavior for FSS increased significantly, including common factors such as the scale of the managed forest land, the difficulty in applying for logging permits, getting afforestation subsidies, and the proportion of forestry income. In contrast, these factors had the opposite influence on the demand willingness model. The number and degree of positive significant influencing factors decreased, with only the family labor force positively influencing farmers’ transformation behavior for SCTS. Based on the results, it is suggested to scientifically guide the orderly flow of rural labor, promoting the moderate scale concentration of forest land flow, accelerating the speed and benefits of inclusiveness in rural finance, and resolving issues related to farmers’ loans to improve the adoption behavior of FSS by farmers.

수종분석을 통한 영산강 유역 취락 식생구조 분류

Forest vegetation was classified based on the identification of archaeological wood remains and cluster analysis. The wood remains from archaeological contexts represent building materials, fuel, or wooden tools, and it is likely that most of them were sourced from the vicinity of the site. Consequently, the identified wood remains primarily provide information about the composition of the surrounding vegetation. The identification of wood remains from 18 archaeological sites in the Yeongsan River basin, combined with hierarchical cluster analysis, revealed that the wood composition could be categorized into four groups: (1) chestnut tree dominant, (2) pine tree dominant, (3) oak and broad-leaved tree dominant, and (4) oak tree dominant. The presence of the oak and broad-leaved tree dominant groups suggests a warm humid climate and a stable environment without ecological disturbance. Conversely, the appearance of the pine tree dominant group indicates the expansion of secondary forests and selective timber collection. The presence of the chestnut tree dominant group implies the management and cultivation of fruit trees. Notably, the Mahan-Baekje settlements exhibit significantly higher proportions of chestnut wood. This suggests that arboreal cultivation began during the historical period, as the settlements were occupied for longer periods and territoriality became more pronounced. Historical records on Mahan also support the possibility of chestnut cultivation in Mahan-Baekje villages.

Quantitative Assessment of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP): Employing Landsat Data and Socio-Economic Survey

Deforestation and forest degradation is a global concern, especially in developing countries. The Margalla Hills of Pakistan—Himalayan foothills—also face the threat of deforestation and forest degradation. These Margalla Hills, considering the need for forest protection activities in Pakistan, were declared a reserved national forest and named “the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP)”. This study quantitively evaluates whether deforestation and forest degradation have occurred at MHNP and identifies their possible drivers. Satellite (Landsat) data 1988–2020 was employed for the land use change analysis, whereas a socio-economic survey of the local population and structured interviews with government officials were conducted to identify the drivers of deforestation. Supervised classification was performed for imagery classification and the Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) was also calculated to measure degradation. Supervised classification showed that the forest cover increased from 65% of the total area in 1988 to 69% in 2020. The VCI results show that the moderate level of degradation has increased from 3.5% of MHNP area in 1988 to 8.8% in 2020. The cumulative measure of degradation from 1988 to 2020 is 1.09% of the total forest (using p < 0.05). Major drivers identified are fuel wood and timber collection. The results reveal a decline in both deforestation and forest degradation. There is a need for further quantitative analysis of the drivers, strict implementation of legislative and control measures, and continuous invigilation of the deforestation trends in MHNP.

Earthquake Impacts on the Livelihoods of Community Forest Users in Sindhupalchok District, Nepal, and Their Perceptions towards Forest Conservation

Community forests are a crucial component of farming systems and people’s livelihoods in the rural middle hills of Nepal, where the population depends upon the forest for fuelwood, fodder, and leaf litter for their daily needs. This study aims to assess the perception of community forest user groups towards their postearthquake situations by using the five forms of capital from the sustainable livelihood framework. It further analyzes whether forest user’s attitudes towards forest conservation have changed or not. In addition to household interviews with 68 earthquake-affected households and extensive visits to the study area, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were conducted. This study confirms that the community forest user groups perceived negative effects on the natural, physical, human, and financial capitals, whereas they perceived a positive effect on social capital after the earthquake. Controlled access to forest products, such as timber collection during the recovery phase, restricted their resilience, although nontimber forest products supported it. Low agricultural production because of the scarcity of water for irrigation, as well as the soil infertility because of the landslides, caused local people to shift towards nonagricultural activities for income generation. Further, out-migration for job opportunities resulted in an inflow of remittances and, thus, manpower shortages were observed. Our results show that, despite facing the postdisaster impact on their livelihoods, 92% of the respondents were found to be positive towards forest conservation. This was because of their emotional attachment to the forest and the benefits received from the forest in the past. Local institutional policies and mechanisms must be strengthened to provide communities with the knowledge, skills, and practices for effective postdisaster recovery or for upcoming disasters, as well as the benefits of promoting sustainable forest conservation.

Firewood and timber collection and management strategies from early medieval sites in eastern England. Initial results from the anthraco-typological analysis of oak charcoal remains

The study of charcoal from archaeological sites often focuses on merely the identification of taxa. However, the anthraco-typological analysis of oak charcoal offers extensive evidence about the wood diameter, growth pattern, and minimum age of the trees selected for harvest. This in turn gives valuable data on palaeoecology and woodland management. This review focuses on early stage results from oak charcoal remains from three early medieval rural sites in eastern England, dating from the 5th to the 9th century AD. Over 200 fragments of oak charcoal were selected and examined to identify the size class of the wood, the growth patterns and whether the wood was sapwood or heartwood. This has then given evidence of timber and fuel wood collection strategies and woodland management regimes. The data has provided additional evidence on the nature of the sites’ features. Furthermore, the analysis has allowed comparisons to be drawn between the three contemporary sites, as well as to expand the archaeobotanical record to a more detailed understanding of the environment around these settlements. Exceptional material from the early medieval site of Flixborough has allowed a unique insight into the selection of timber and possible long-term woodland management strategies undertaken in the area during the mid 8th to 9th century AD. The results will be discussed regarding the economic and environmental context, demonstrating the value of dendro-anthracological tools in adding additional detail and a new understanding of these sites.

Do earthquakes change the timber and firewood use pattern of the forest dependent households? Evidence from rural hills in Nepal

Studies on the extent to which households are affected by earthquake and their varying degree of dependence on forest resources, particularly reliable and comprehensive ones, are very rare. This study assessed the types of shocks faced by the earthquake-hit households and the change in timber and firewood use patterns by them before and after the occurrence of devastating Gorkha earthquake-2015 in Nepal. The study used household level panel dataset (n = 99 in 2008 and 2018) collected using a modified version of household survey questionnaire developed by Centre for International Forest Research (CIFOR) for studying the poverty-environment network. Separate random effect models are employed to identify the factors that influence the collection of firewood and timber by theearthquake shock exposed households. The results reveal that the households exposed to earthquake lost significant number of livestock and labor, land and other assets. Regression results show that there was a positive and significant association between firewood collection and the households exposed to earthquake, and there was a negative and significant association with migration. Similarly, there was significant increase in timber wood collection but the magnitude of increment was very small. The access control for timber collection, limited assets holding and other access constraints limited their resilience through timber collection. The study highlights the importance of targeted intervention that helps not only to provide access to land and livestock to the affected communities but opens other income-generating options to improve their wellbeing and to invest in human capitals for enhancing their resilience.

Analysis of the People–Forests Relationship in Lower Galliyat, Abbottabad Pakistan

Galliyat—the mountainous region in district Abbottabad of Hazara division in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province—is rich in natural vegetation. On the basis of elevation above sea level, Galliyat is categorized into Upper and Lower subdivisions. Like other regions in northern Pakistan, the forests of Galliyat are intensively utilized for the collection of fuelwood and harvesting of timber. However, effects of the human population on forests are still unknown except in Ayubia National Park. This study was conducted to explore the requirements for fuelwood and sawn timber of population members dependent on forests, and the role of socio-economic status on deforestation, in Bagnotar in Lower Galliyat. A survey was conducted to gather information about fuelwood and sawn timber demands to assess the effects on vegetation, as well as socio-economic status of local population to purchase fuelwood and sawn timber. It was found that the diversity, abundance, frequency and density of woody species were relatively higher in reserved forests than community forests. Deforestation has been greatest in community forests, which has shifted the population pressure towards reserved forests. Moreover, the privately owned lands play an important role in fuelwood supply. Timber collection has more devastating effects on forests than fuelwood collection. The present study has been carried out in a disadvantaged region and reveals people–forests relationship that would help the wise management of forests.

Flora of community managed forests of Palpa district, western Nepal

Floristic diversity is studied based on gender in two different management committee community forests (Barangdi-Kohal jointly managed community forest and Bansa-Gopal women managed community forest) of Palpa district, west Nepal. Square plot of 10m×10m size quadrat were laid for covering all forest areas and maintained minimum 40m distance between two quadrats. Altogether 68 plots (34 in each forest) were sampled. Both community forests had nearly same altitudinal range, aspect and slope but differed in different environmental variables and members of management committees. All the species present in quadrate and as well as outside the quadrate were recorded for analysis. There were 213 species of flowering plant belonging to 67 families and 182 genera. Barangdi-Kohal JM community forest had high species richness i.e. 176 species belonging to 64 families and 150 genera as compared to Bansa-Gopal WM community forest with 143 species belonging to 56 families and 129 genera. According to different life forms and family and genus wise jointly managed forest has high species richness than in women managed forest. Both community forest are banned for fodder, fuel wood and timber collection without permission of management comities. There is restriction of grazing in JM forest, whereas no restriction of grazing in WM forest.

Extraction of timber and non-timber products from the Swamp Forest of Lokoli (Benin): use patterns, harvesting impacts and management options Extraction de bois et de produits non ligneux de la Forêt Marécageuse de Lokoli (Bénin): utilisations, impacts d'exploitation et options d'aménagement Extracción de productos maderables y no maderables en el bosque de pantano, Lokoli (Benín): patrones de uso, impactos de

SUMMARY The study of anthropogenic impacts on tropical forests is vital in the design and development of sustainable extraction systems for both timber and non-timber products. However, distinguishing non-timber forest products (NTFPs) harvesting impacts from timber extraction consequences on the vegetation could be difficult, since tropical forest species often have a multipurpose status. This study explores the purposes and characteristics of timber and non-timber products usage in the Swamp Forest of Lokoli (in the south of Benin Republic) and assesses extraction impacts on the forest dynamics. We used structural parameters analysis and ecological indices to explain the vegetation structure and the species responses to anthropogenic pressures. The results suggest that the forest is being devastated by extraction activities of the local people including both timber collection and non-timber harvesting. Finally, this paper suggests that management policies balancing socio-economic and conservation priori...

Response of the Endangered red panda Ailurus fulgens fulgens to anthropogenic disturbances, and its distribution in Phrumsengla National Park, Bhutan

AbstractAcross much of Asia protected areas have a dual objective of conserving biodiversity and supporting rural and indigenous livelihoods. For the red panda Ailurus fulgens and other sensitive species of concern, even limited anthropogenic disturbance may influence their use of protected areas. We quantified the prevalence of timber collection and livestock grazing, and their impacts on red panda habitat use, in Phrumsengla National Park, Bhutan. Red pandas used sites with at least 20% bamboo cover, as evidenced by presence of their faecal pellets. They avoided sites disturbed by livestock, regardless of bamboo availability. Timber collection itself was not an important predictor of red panda presence but bamboo may be harvested opportunistically from sites where timber is collected. Conservation efforts for the red panda should not rely on protected areas alone but should explicitly consider and mitigate impacts of anthropogenic disturbances in protected areas.

An analysis of forest vegetation and land use change in the Khecheopalri sacred lake watershed in Sikkim

The present study was conducted in a 12 km2 sacred Khecheopalri Lake Watershed in the Sikkim Himalaya. The Lake is known for its sanctity, pristine condition, multi ethnicity and also as famous tourist destinations of Sikkim. The influx of tourists is high with visible impact of disturbance on the Lake and its watershed. The anthropogenic pressure has led to land use/cover change of the watershed in the past decade with increase of agricultural land at the expense of forests. The forested vegetation composition in the lake watershed forest has density of 248 trees/ha with sub-canopy species being dominated in the lower diameter class. The local people remove about 28% wood from annual biomass increment and the canopy species have reduced considerably because of fuelwood and timber collection resulting in invasion of some opportunistic species in the regeneration stage. The pressure of grazing is also high resulting in removal of 47% of annual primary production of floor phytomass during 1998. Therefore, the anthropogenic pressure on the watershed forest needs to be minimized for minimizing the soil erosion processes and thus maintaining the health of the Lake.

Anthropogenic pressure on tree structure and biomass in the temperate forest of Mamlay watershed in Sikkim

Tree structure and composition, regeneration, biomass status and removal as fodder, fuel and timber were studied in a temperate forest of the Mamlay watershed in Sikkim Himalaya. The forest showed a high diversity having 81 tree species, Castanopsis tribuloides and Quercus lamellosa being the most dominant canopy species in almost all areas of the forest. The forest has a good density (675 trees ha −1) and basal cover (84.8 m 2 ha −1) and thus has a comparable range to other Himalayan forests. However, out of 81 tree species, just 39 were found regenerating and most of the canopy species showed poor regeneration. No seedlings and saplings for the other 42 tree species, which mainly included canopy species, were found and this is attributed to intensive use of the forest for fuel, fodder and timber collection purposes. At the same time, regeneration of most of the secondary species, like Eurya acuminata, Symplocos theaefolia, S. sumuntia, Leucosceptrum canum etc., was found to be fairly good at almost all sites. It is evident from the present study that only secondary species are performing well under the existing levels of pressure in the forest floor phytomass. Annual net primary productivity was 8.32 t ha −1 for wood biomass and 1.80 t ha −1 for floor phytomass. About 35% of wood and 60% of floor phytomass productivity has been removed by villagers annually, and this practice of extraction has been highly erratic. It is presumed that, with a further increase in population of the surrounding villages of the watershed, in the near future forest resources will become more desirable and many species are likely to disappear in due course. Intensive awareness programmes, with regard to resource utilization and management, for both villagers and officials, can help to protect the forest of this unique diversity.

Non-timber Forest Products (NTFPs) in the Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal Himalaya

Present study was conducted to explore and document the non-timber forest products (NTFPs) in the Sagarmatha National Park (SNP) Nepal Himalaya, and to assess their conservation status. The field data was collected from June 21 to July 15, 2004. Primary information of NTFPs was based on Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) which included field observation, interviews and focus group discussion. Altogether 103 species of NTFPs belonging to 40 families and 74 genera, used for food, firewood, fodder, buildings construction, incense, and medicines were recorded from the study area. Out of them, 21 species were found to be dominant, 29 species abundant, 35 species common, 14 not so common and 4 species rare. Furthermore, 17 species of lichens belonging to six families and eight genera were also recorded. Impact on the vegetation was mostly due to the disturbance by tourism, animal grazing, building of houses, fuel wood and timber collection. Ecological study of the representative NTFPs showed that number of medicinal plants was comparatively low in all the areas investigated. Arenaria sp., Rhododendron sp., Juniperus sp., Abies spectabilis., Pinus wallichiana., Betula utilis, Lyonia ovalifolia., Arundinaria sp., Zanthoxylum armatum., Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora, Ferns, Mushrooms, etc. have been found to be directly or indirectly affected by tourists and guides/porters. Key words: Sagarmatha; NTFPs; Conservation status; Impact; Tourism. DOI: 10.3126/sw.v7i7.3833 Scientific World Vol.7(7) 2009 pp.85-91