Utilization Of Forest Resources Research Articles

RAF-Unet: A Remote Sensing Identification Method for Forest Land Information with Modified Unet

Abstract Carrying out remote sensing refinement identification of forest land in complex environment is of great significance for timely mapping of forest distribution. Aiming at the problem that remote sensing images have bias in the extraction of forest land information data, based on the semantic segmentation algorithm Unet, combining the ResNet50 deep learning network, the attention mechanism module and the feature pyramid structure, we construct RAF-Unet (ResNet+Attention+FPN+Unet) to improve the extraction of forest land information data. The ResNet50 classification network is used as the encoder of the Unet network to extract the feature maps at five different scales; then, the attention mechanism module is introduced in the decoder stage of the Unet network to extract the key task goal information by learning the weight values of the features; finally, the feature pyramid structure is used in the output stage of the encoder to fuse the information from the shallow network and the deep network to extract the remote sensing forest land information in the image. The results show that the RAF-Unet algorithm outperforms the Unet algorithm in all the indexes, with a precision of 95.24%, a recall of 91.80%, an F1-score value of 93.49%, an intersection over union of 87.63%, and an accuracy of 93.68%; the validity of the modules is verified by the ablation experiments, and the ResNet network, the attention mechanism, and the feature pyramid structure are all effective in improve the classification effect. It helps the forestry department to better manage and dynamically monitor forestry information, which is of great significance to the scientific development, utilization and protection of forest land resources.

The role of Participatory Forest Management for forest diversity enhancement in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is rich in the flora of tropical Africa and this situation enables the center of origin for plant species diversity. Despite the forest resource, quality is declining from time to time at an alarming rate and become major problem during the second half of the 20th century. Yet, no studies about the role of PFM in comparison with the None-PFM forests for forest diversity status and sustainability. PFM was introduced for sustainable forest management involving the local communities as part of decision maker on the forest resources utilization and conservation practices by empowered women`s for different actions and participation using forest resources wisely without hampering the next generation. Therefore, this review conducted to have current information about the role of participatory forest management (PFM) for sustainable forest management in different part of Ethiopia. This review revealed that participatory forest management play appreciable role for forest sustainability that forest species diversity and density was increased along different locations of the country forests governed by PFM than None-PFM forests. This review was greatly provide crucial information for forest stake holders and policy makers that participatory forest management was unreplaceable tool for sustainable forest management using forest products wisely and sustainably without debilitating the next generation

Chronic anthropogenic disturbance causes prolific resprouting and dwarfing – A case study of a widely distributed subtropical tree

Chronic anthropogenic disturbance (CAD) comprises the additive effect of multiple anthropogenic stressors that lead to subtle but continuous alterations to the structure, composition and functioning of natural ecosystems. However, this effect has been little studied at the tree species level. Here, we examined CAD effects on Chinese beech (Fagus engleriana), a common species in northern subtropical forests that utilizes both vegetative resprouting and seeding as regenerative modes. We computed an index of CAD for each plot based on livestock grazing intensity, wood extraction and miscellaneous resource use. Over 60 20 × 20 m plots, we measured the height and DBH of a total of 1261 Chinese beech individuals (21.02 ± 13.06 per plot, [mean ± SD]), including 593 adults (9.88 ± 4.89), 576 saplings (9.60 ± 8.91) and 92 seedlings (1.53 ± 3.91), and assessed the proportions of each that exhibited resprouting (0.91 ± 0.11, 0.69 ± 0.29, and 0.09 ± 0.25, respectively). CAD was associated with a greater number of individual trees and a proliferation of stems, and with a greater proportion of resprouting seedlings, but had no effect on adult-sized stem DBH. Chinese beech thus appears generally tolerant of CAD, which may ultimately result in its increasing contribution to the maintenance of forest biomass. CAD was also associated with shorter adult and sapling stems, but taller resprouting seedling stems, implying that CAD induced dwarfism as Chinese beech matures. Further analysis showed that the proportion of resprouting was related to small scale wood extraction and miscellaneous resource use, but not to grazing. In the context of better understanding cryptic effects of CAD, our findings show that CAD can alter tree morphology and regenerative processes. These coppicing-type effects of CAD on tree morphology structure are typically associated with higher community biodiversity in managed forest coppice, and future work should investigate the biodiversity consequences of CAD at our study site. Our study shows that CAD has important implications for forest resource utilization, planning, and management, with effects on forest biomass and carbon storage in human-modified landscapes.

Women's Role In Conflict Management Of Social Forestry : A Case Of Sungai Buluh Village

This research explored forest management goals - conservation and socio-economic goals. It is seen that the goal of socio-economic reduces forest conservation. The ideological conflict between the two approaches can be overcome through the management of property rights and access to forest resource utilization that is not for the purpose of local interests. Ownership rights to land in Minangkabau are in the hands of women, but men have the ability to determine the use of the land. The difference between property rights and access rights between women and men in processing customary land and Nagari land is a means of resolving conflicts between the government, traditional leaders and land managers in processing social forestry in the inheritance and matrilineal system of the Minangkabau community. This study focused on the role women play in conflict management of social forests in Nagari Sungai Buluh. From the results of research conducted using qualitative research methods and case study approaches, it was found that the role of women in conflict management included bringing together the community and the government in meetings discussing the planning and management of social forestry Keywords: confluct management, feminist perspective, social forestry, sustainable development.

Financial Analysis of Sawn Timber Sales at Buana Alam Trade Business in Palu City, Central Sulawesi

Introduction: Forests have an important role in meeting the needs of human life. In addition to having benefits for life, forests also have many benefits, one of which is benefits in the economic sector. Development in the forestry sector is directed at optimal and sustainable utilization of forest resources and strives to improve the welfare of people's lives. Utilization of forest resources, especially timber forest products to be used as sawn timber. sawn timber is semi-finished goods because it will be further processed into other products, for example, sawn products are processed into molding products, flooring furniture, and others that are specific. This study aims to determine the financial aspects of sawn timber processing at Buana Alam Trading Business. This research was conducted for two months from March 2023 to April 2023, which took place at the Buana Alam Trade Business in Palu City, Central Sulawesi. Method: This research uses a purposive sampling method at the location and 1 respondent, namely the leader or business owner as a research sample. This research calculates business finances for 13 years of operation. Results and Discussion: The results of this study indicate that the financial analysis of the sawn timber business obtained an NPV value of Rp. 389,806,900, BCR 2.09 and IRR 22.9% of the Buana Alam Trading Business shows a positive value, so that the Buana Alam Trading Business is feasible to continue and based on the results of business financial analysis using NPV calculations, the Buana Alam Business is feasible to continue. Conclusion: The results of the financial analysis of the sawn timber business for 13 years of operation obtained an NPV value of Rp. 389,806,900, BCR 2.09, and IRR 22.9%. Based on the results of research using financial analysis, the Buana Alam trade business in Palu City is feasible to continue.

Correlation of woodfuel production participation among rural households in the drylands of Ethiopia

Woodfuel production and consumption have been a concern for multiple stakeholders involved in household energy use, deforestation, and climate change. While research into the underlying decision-making process is growing, it remains insufficient. Such a study offers opportunities to develop policies that enable diversification of household energy consumption and livelihood options away from woodfuel use. Policymakers often lack an understanding of factors correlated with households' participation in woodfuel production. Therefore, this study examined the correlation between household participation in woodfuel production and factors that influence households' participation in woodfuel production in dryland areas of Ethiopia. Data were collected from 1,114 purposively selected woodfuel-producing and non-producing households through household surveys, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. The sample included 775 participant households and 339 non-participant households. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model. The results revealed that drought and related shocks are the main factors that forced households to participate in woodfuel production. The model results indicated that age, education, landholding, livestock holding, production asset value, ownership of improved cook stoves, number of years lived in the area, distance from the forest, access to forest extension, and institutional membership are statistically significant factors that negatively influence household participation in woodfuel production. On the other hand, household expenditure and drought occurrence positively and significantly influence the participation of households in woodfuel production. The findings of the study suggest that sustainable management and utilization of dryland forest resources require considering socioeconomic, demographic, institutional, and environmental factors correlated with households' decisions to participate in woodfuel production. This can be achieved through sound institutional setups and policy frameworks in the sector.

Automated Shape Correction for Wood Composites in Continuous Pressing

The effective and comprehensive utilization of forest resources has become the theme of the global “dual-carbon strategy”. Forestry restructured wood is a kind of wood-based panel made of wood-based fiber composite material by high-temperature and high-pressure restructuring–molding, and has become an important material in the field of construction, furniture manufacturing, as well as derivative processing for its excellent physical and mechanical properties, decorative properties, and processing performance. Taking Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) as the recombinant material as the research object, an event-triggered synergetic control mechanism based on interventional three-way decision making is proposed for the viscoelastic multi-field coupling-distributed agile control of the “fixed thickness section” in the MDF continuous flat-pressing process, where some typical quality control problems of complex plate shape deviations including thickness, slope, depression, and bump tend to occur. Firstly, the idea of constructing the industrial event information of continuous hot pressing based on information granulation is proposed, and the information granulation model of the viscoelastic plate shape process mechanism is established by combining the multi-field coupling effect. Secondly, an FMEA-based cyber granular method for diagnosing and controlling the plate thickness diagnosis and control failure information expression of continuous flat pressing is proposed for the problems of plate thickness control failure and plate thickness deviation defect elimination that are prone to occur in the continuous flat-pressing process. The precise control of the plate thickness in the production process is realized based on event-triggered control to achieve the intelligent identification and processing of the various types of faults. The application test is conducted in the international mainstream production line of a certain type of continuous hot-pressing equipment for the production of 18 mm plate thickness; the synergistic effect is basically synchronized after 3 s, the control accuracy reaches 30%, and the average value of the internal bond strength is 1.40, which ensures the integrity of the slab. Practical tests show that the method in the actual production is feasible and effective, with detection and control accuracy of up to ±0.05 mm, indicating that in the production of E0- and E1-level products, the rate of superior products can reach more than 95%.

THE ENHANCEMENT OF THE CAPACITY OF COMMUNITIES AROUND THE FOREST IN PRODUCING ANIMAL FEED THROUGH SILAGE-MAKING TRAINING

Kemutug Lor Village, located on the southern slope of Mount Slamet, boasts various potentials, including livestock farming and the utilization of forest resources. One method of forest area management undertaken by the community is the development of an agrosilvopastoral model, which integrates seasonal crop cultivation with forestry and livestock activities. This community service initiative aims to enhance the community's capacity in processing odot grass into silage as high-quality animal feed. The approach utilized in this activity is asset-based community development. Goat farming and the development of the agrosilvopastoral model in the forest area, initiated by the community, serve as the foundation for this community service activity. A total of 23 individuals from the community were equipped with technical skills in silage production using odot grass as the raw material. This endeavor contributes to the utilization of abundant odot grass in Kemutug Lor and the enhancement of livestock feed management within the community. Evaluation results indicate an increase in the community's knowledge of silage production after receiving training materials. Furthermore, subsequent to the conclusion of the training activity, the community engages in periodic practice and production of silage as supplementary animal feed.

Elevation Shapes Soil Microbial Diversity and Carbon Cycling in Platycladus orientalis Plantations

Diversified soil microbiomes are the key drivers of carbon fixation and plant residue decomposition in forest ecosystems. Revealing the elevation patterns of soil microbial carbon cycling in forests is essential for utilization of forest ecological resources. However, the soil microbial diversity and carbon cycle processes in Platycladus orientalis plantations across different elevations are still unclear. Here, we established a gradient with three elevations (118 m, 300 m, and 505 m) on the Beijing Ming Dynasty Tombs Forest Farm, which is located in Changping District, Beijing. The metagenomics method was applied to study the soil microbiome, with a special focus on the carbon cycle process at each elevation. We found the diversity and composition of the soil microbiomes significantly varied across the elevation gradients. The structure of bacteria and archaea was mainly driven by soil total potassium, pH and NH4+, but the eukaryota had no significant relationship with the environmental factors. The relative abundance of genes involved in microbial carbon fixation and decomposition of organic carbon were also significantly impacted by elevation, with the former showing increasing, u-shaped, or hump trends with increasing elevation, but the latter only showing hump trends. The rTCA cycle and 3-hydroxypropionate pathway were the dominant carbon fixation pathways in the Platycladus orientalis plantations. The elevation gradient shaped the microbial decomposition of plant-derived organic carbon by changing soil properties and, furthermore, led to soil organic carbon stock losses. These findings increase our understanding of soil microbial diversity and the carbon cycle across different elevations and provide a theoretical basis for the utilization of forest ecological resources to promote carbon sequestration.

Effects of Environment Change Scenarios on the Potential Geographical Distribution of Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. in China

Changes in climate and environmental conditions have aggravated the severity and unpredictability of plant survival and growth. Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook. is an economically important timber tree. Exploring its potential distribution and dynamic changes and identifying the leading environmental variables affecting it will help to adjust the planting range reasonably according to the habits and climate change, thus contributing to its survival and growth. Based on the MaxEnt model and ArcGIS tool, climate, soil, terrain, human activities, variable environment layers, and 395 C. lanceolata distribution points were used to simulate and analyze the geographical distribution characteristics of C. lanceolata in the current and future periods (the 2050s and 2070s) under RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5. The results showed that C. lanceolata was suitable to grow in a subtropical monsoon climate with warm, humid, abundant rainfall and a relatively gentle topography. Additionally, using percent contribution, permutation importance, and the knife-cutting test, we noted that the annual precipitation (Bio12), human activities (Hfp), minimum temperature of the coldest month (Bio6), mean temperature of the coldest quarter (Bio11), precipitation of coldest quarter (Bio19), annual temperature range (Bio7), and elevation were the leading environmental factors affecting the geographical distribution of C. lanceolata. Among them, it should be noted that the impact of human activities was negatively correlated with suitable habitat areas of C. lanceolata and led to the degeneration of suitable habitats and fragmentized distribution. In addition, predictions have shown that the areas of habitats under other scenarios will be characterized by an increasing and then decreasing trend by the 2050s and 2070s, except for the RCP2.6 scenario, under which the suitable habitats area of C. lanceolata will increase continuously. The core distributional shifts showed that the suitable habitats of C. lanceolata will gradually shift and migrate to high-latitude areas due to global warming. This study focused on the characteristics of suitable habitats of C. lanceolata under different climatic scenarios using more environmental factors and scenarios than before, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and guidance for the management and utilization of forest resources, the planning of suitable planting areas, and germplasm protection.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE WOODEN MEMBER CONNECTION METHOD IN SEISMIC PANEL DAMPERS FOR STEEL STRUCTURES

Recently, government of Japan has encouraged using forest resources to expand the use of timber. Although moderate-or large-scale buildings are generally steel constructed structures, the authors proposed using cross-laminated timber (CLT) as support members for seismic panel damper systems. The benefits of employing mass timber as support members include the effective utilization of forest resources and a reduction in the building weight. To investigate the shear transfer performance between the shear panel damper and the mass timber, 16 specimens were meticulously prepared. Based on the test results, steel types such as H-shaped steel, circular tube, cruciform steel and steel plate were shown to be effective as the shear connector. In cases where H-shaped steel, circular tubes, and cruciform steel are utilized as shear connectors, significant labor is required for welding to the H-shaped steel and cutting into the mass timber, demanding time and effort from workers. Ensuring the shear connector section has high stiffness is crucial to maintain the energy dissipation capacity of the shear panel. Steel plates offer an advantage in their flexibility to control both strength and stiffness through the size of the plate used.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON THE WOODEN MEMBER CONNECTION METHOD IN SEISMIC PANEL DAMPERS FOR STEEL STRUCTURES

Recently, government of Japan has encouraged using forest resources to expand the use of timber. Although moderate-or large-scale buildings are generally steel constructed structures, the authors proposed using cross-laminated timber (CLT) as support members for seismic panel damper systems. The benefits of employing mass timber as support members include the effective utilization of forest resources and a reduction in the building weight. To investigate the shear transfer performance between the shear panel damper and the mass timber, 16 specimens were meticulously prepared. Based on the test results, steel types such as H-shaped steel, circular tube, cruciform steel and steel plate were shown to be effective as the shear connector. In cases where H-shaped steel, circular tubes, and cruciform steel are utilized as shear connectors, significant labor is required for welding to the H-shaped steel and cutting into the mass timber, demanding time and effort from workers. Ensuring the shear connector section has high stiffness is crucial to maintain the energy dissipation capacity of the shear panel. Steel plates offer an advantage in their flexibility to control both strength and stiffness through the size of the plate used.

Local Perceptions of Forest-Based Ecosystem Services in Benin, West Africa

Ecosystem services are closely linked to the daily lives of local communities, particularly those living near forests. The study of the local perceptions of these services is relevant because they vary depending on the community, the study period, and the environment. So beyond the inventorying of ecosystem services, understanding the perceptions of local communities regarding these services remains a necessity. Our study aims to analyze how local communities perceive the ecosystem services provided by forests and the factors that determine these perceptions. We collected data from 232 heads of households across 23 villages bordering the forest and analyzed them using descriptive statistics and ordered Probit analysis. The results showed that provisioning services (such as plant-derived medicines, rafters and planks, livestock feed, crops, and firewood) were the most important, followed by regulating and supporting services (including soil formation, erosion control, and climate regulation) are the most important. Finally, cultural services (encompassing cultural practices, heritage, and spirituality) were perceived as important. However, communities did not perceive the value of ecotourism. Factors influencing these perceptions included gender (male), age (young individuals), occupation in farming, household size, level of education, Bariba ethnicity and income. To ensure the sustainable utilization of forest resources in the region, it is necessary to encourage young people to adopt environmentally friendly agricultural practices, to use improved stoves that require less wood and promote cultural services to diversify their sources of income.

Fuelwood Supply Consumption and Dynamic on Forest Resource in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Turkana County Kenya

Forestry is a source of livelihood for many farmers and rural households in developing countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the utilization of fuelwood in Africa contributes greatly to desert encroachment and consequently has implications with regard to climate change. Its, little to understand about the drivers and dynamics of fuelwood consumption in Kenya and other African countries. This study is to analyze determinants of refugee camp forest resource utilization efficiency Kakuma refugee camp Turkana county. It accomplishes two broad objectives:( 1) To analyse utilization of fuelwood from indigenous tree species supplied to the camp, the profitability of firewood supplied to the local market and a growing body of evidence on the influence of utilization of fuelwood in the camp in the refugee camp, as the host community get cash from the refugees and food ration in exchange with the resource (Fuelwood) in a household’s level. It embraced a mixed methods approach embedded with an explanatory research design for concurrent triangulation. The study interviewed a total of 296 respondents through HH questionnaires, the KII Tool and FGD Guide. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic framework approach while quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential (correlations) statistics on SPSS. Results suggest that even with minimal investment in both productive and non-productive assets (M=2.40) and SD=0.99) from cash purchase of fuelwood from agencies, there is significant negative effect (r=0.139) and P=0.05) between asset accumulation and poverty reduction among targeted household. study reveals that the provision of alternative sources of energy has the potential to reduce overdependence on wood fuel by the refugees in Kakuma Kenya. Therefore, the government ought to support other cheaper energy alternatives like alternatives gadgets and energy-saving cooking technologies, while the local administrators should integrate the refugee needs in the development plans for equal distribution of resources at large

Local Institutions Performance in Mangrove Forest Management on Small Islands: Case Study in Buano Island, Maluku Province, Indonesia

Mangrove forests on small islands play an essential role in the stability of island ecosystems. It is crucial to analyze the performance of local institutions in forest management to increase the community’s active role in preserving mangrove forests. This research aims to analyze the performance of local institutions managing mangroves on small islands. The research was conducted on Buano Island, Maluku, Indonesia. In-depth interviews and participant observation were used to obtain data. Data analysis uses a Situation, Structure, Behavior, and Performance (SSBP) approach. The research results show that the community is very dependent on mangrove forests. Resources are owned by the clan group (Soa) but managed by members of the clan group (family). Thus, the phenomenon occurs when common pool resources are managed by private (Dati/Nuru) proprietors. The community regulates the utilization of potential forest resources by dividing management areas controlled by each Soa/Nuru group. The preservation of natural potential on Buano Island is supervised by Kewang and Sasi culture. Applying customary rules increases the community’s active role in managing resources and supporting village management. However, mangrove forest logging activities continue to occur. This performance shows a very high decline in mangrove forest vegetation and regeneration of mangrove forests. Stakeholder support is needed to increase the knowledge and skills of the community, especially traditional leaders, in implementing sustainable forest management. Keywords: forest management, local institution, mangrove, small island

Mexico and the forum for economic cooperation, Asia-pacific, 1990-2019: Determinants of the sustainable productivity of the wood industry

The purpose of this research is to identify the determinants of the productivity of the wood industry for the economies that make up the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APECF) in the period 1990-2019. As a dependent variable, a sustainable productivity index is created to measure this productivity. Using the econometric method of panel data, the impact of employment, capital stock, and innovation on the sustainable productivity of the wood manufacturing industry is found. The variable capital stock (SC) is estimated using the Perpetual Inventory Method (PIM) and incorporating an adjustment factor for the absence of the first observation. The findings indicate that there is a significant relationship between the sustainable productivity index and the variables employment, innovation, and capital stock. The study's findings demonstrate that productivity exists when there is a balance in the use of resources or public goods. The contribution that is made to the literature is about authentic productivity that promotes the improvement of the quality of life of the population as well as the responsible use of finite resources. This research examines the practical implications of sustainable forest resource utilization, specifically focusing on sustainable productivity.

Coupling coordination relationship of forestry industry development and ecological environment: evidence from Heilongjiang Province

China’s economy has entered a new period of transformation, and the development of various industries will become the backbone of promoting economic sectors. At the same time, it will also become a booster for promoting the transformation and development of various industries. As an essential component of China’s economic construction, forestry will also enter a critical period of transformation. However, because the forestry industry mainly relies on forest resources as production factors, there is a certain contradiction between the forestry industry development and the ecological environment. Therefore, taking Heilongjiang Province as an example, this paper applies the PSR model to explain the mechanism of the relationship between forestry industry development and the ecological environment. The PSR model mainly consists of three indicators: Pressure, State, and Response, which analyze the interrelationships between elements within the system. On the other hand, the coupling coordination model is applied to analyze the coupling coordination relationship between the forestry industry development and the ecological environment in Heilongjiang Province from 2011 to 2018. The results show that the development of the forestry industry puts pressure on the ecological environment. At the same time, the environmental climate also imposes restrictions and constraints on the development of the forestry industry. The two promote, influence, and constrain each other. The development of the forestry industry was antagonistic, running in, coupled, and coordinated with the ecological environment in Heilongjiang Province from 2011 to 2018. However, there is still a particular gap in the level of coupling and coordination between the two, and they have yet to reach a state of good coordinated development. Therefore, Heilongjiang Province can promote the coordinated development of its forestry industry and the ecological environment through innovative forestry industry transformation models, policy-oriented rational development and utilization of forest resources, environmentally constrained clean production of the forestry industry, and complementary and shared development of the forestry industry and ecological environment.

UTILISATION AND CONTRIBUTION OF FOREST RESOURCES TO IMPROVE FOOD SECURITY IN DRY REGIONS OF AFRICA

The unsustainable harvest of forest resources in dry regions of Africa has contributed to forest degradation and increased the prices of forest resources in local markets. Many people in dry regions, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, have been harvesting forest resources to supplement food sources due to poor crop production as a result of erratic rainfall. This review seeks to explore the utilisation and contribution of forest resources to improving food security in the dry regions of Africa. Forest resources are highly utilised by poor resource farmers in rural areas as a means of poverty alleviation, income generation and to improve human livelihoods. Resources such as non-timber forest products (NTFPs) contribute to human nutrition, income generation, food sources and to improve living standards. NTFPs, such as honey, waxes and medicines, have been reported to contribute income in countries, such as Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, creating more opportunities for rural people to improve their living standards and reduce food insecurity. These resources contribute to hidden hunger though the utilisation of fruit, vegetables, honey, wild meat and edible worms, especially to the children under five years of age. Climate change has also created variability in the availability of forest resources in dry regions, and this has altered their contribution to human livelihoods and food security.

Ecosystem services of forests and their economic valuation: Prospects for sustainable development

The relevance of the topic is justified by the diversity of unique natural ecosystem objects in the territories of Kosovo and North Macedonia, where forestry activities are traditional. The aim of the study is to analyse the current state of ecosystem services provided by forests in Kosovo and North Macedonia in the context of their assessment and development prospects. Several general scientific empirical and theoretical research methods were employed, including comparison, generalization, analysis, synthesis, and abstract-logical methods. The article characterizes the current state of forest resource utilization in Kosovo and North Macedonia, highlighting key issues in the management of forest lands, including those hindering the development of ecosystem services. The study justifies indicators of the level of forest resource utilization in Kosovo and North Macedonia, examining the percentage ratio of forest cover indicators in the Western Balkan countries. The relationship between land areas of different categories and purposes in Kosovo is analysed, along with the designation of protected areas within forested areas in North Macedonia. The necessity of conducting an economic assessment of specific ecosystem services provided by forests is justified. Six methods used in the economic valuation of natural goods resulting from forest resource utilization are detailed, deemed most suitable for the Western Balkan countries. A comprehensive list of the most relevant functions of forests requiring economic assessment is compiled. Throughout the justification of all stages of the work, specific ecosystem services provided by forests that may gain greater importance in the future are identified. The practical significance of the study lies in forming the fundamental methodological aspects that can be utilized in the assessment of ecosystem services provided by forests

The Estimation of Cuscus Population and Distribution in Teluk Wondama District, West Papua Province, Indonesia

Cuscus is a marsupial mammal endemic to the eastern part of Indonesia. Populations and their habitats are under pressure due to economic development, population growth and utilization of forest resources. So far, studies on cuscus ecology have mainly focused on protected habitats or conservation areas, this study aims to identify and analyze populations and predict the distribution of cuscus in non-protectes area which is PT Wijaya Sentosa. This research conduct in November 2020 until January 2021 in several land cover categories. The methods used in this study include literature and secondary data studies, field observations using strip-transect and camera trap techniques, interviews using purposive sampling techniques. This study found nine individuals of cuscus from direct observation with strip-transects and two individuals of cuscus from camera trapping. The ground cuscus population (P. gymnotis) had the highest abundance and density, while the common spotted cuscus (S. maculatus) population owned the lowest values. The population structure dominates by male sex and adult age class, and no female sex and young age class were found. Cuscus was more commonly found solitary in the line of observation and not found in every line. The shape of the distribution pattern of the cuscus population at PT Wijaya Sentosa is cluster/aggregated, determined from the value of the dispersion index and the ratio of variance to mean. The most common ground cuscus was found in the 2018 and the 2013 logging area (LOA).