Factors Impacting Benefits of Participatory Forest Management in Upper Imenti Forest, Meru County, Kenya

This study focused on identifying factors affecting the benefits of Participatory Forestry Management (PFM) income generating activities in Upper Imenti Forest and whether they are dependent on status of participation in forest management through membership of Community Forest Association (CFA) or not. Cross-sectional survey research design was applied for collecting quantitative data using a semi-structured questionnaire administered to 384 households stratified on the basis of PFM participation status. Qualitative data was collected through focused group discussions using a checklist and key informant interviews using an interview schedule. Using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25, Binomial regression with Wald Chi-square was analyzed to identify factors perceived to be significantly influencing benefits for PFM participants and Pearson Chi-square to compare factors perceived to be affecting PFM and non-PFM participants. CFA members participation in PFM was significantly and positively affected by benefits of PFM income generating activities and forest products accessed in the forest. Benefits linked to Plantation Establishment for Livelihood Improvement System (PELIS) for CFA members were significantly reduced by enforcement of moratorium policy since February 2018, diseases and pests, poor PELIS guideline adherence and animal damage. Benefits related to state forest access for firewood by the CFA members were negatively influenced by the moratorium policy. Diseases and pests affected benefits associated with bee keeping significantly. Comparing factors under different PFM participation status, crop production was significantly affected by policy changes, pest and diseases, animal damage and PELIS guideline adherence for CFA members than for Non-CFA members. Policy changes also affected the CFA members significantly in firewood collection and access to fodder in the state forest than the Non-CFA members. Hence, sustainable community participation in Upper Imenti Forest management requires: increasing PFM benefits, addressing factors reducing benefits and enhancing active participation of CFA members in PFM related decision-making processes.

Saving Dupinga Watershed in Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija Philippines: Insights from Community Based Forest Management Model

The world is losing its forest. The study described the multi-sectoral initiatives done to protect the Dupinga watershed. By using Community Based Forest Management (CBFM) as theoretical framework and analytic descriptive method of research, issues and concerns related to watershed protection are discussed. The study argued that the multi-sectoral collaboration of the Local Government Unit of Gabaldon, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Peoples Organizations, Non Government Organizations (NGO) and Community Organization is a CBFM in progress. Alternative source of income and community tourism may strengthen and sustain the multi-stake-holders collaboration existing in the area while capacity building program for community participation and forest management may provide insights for a sustainable watershed protection and management.

Increase of forest carbon biomass due to community forestry management in Nepal

Community forest management helps in mitigating deforestation and forest degradation by addressing the negative aspects of rural livelihoods such as poverty and social exclusion.It is important in regulating global climate by encouraging sequestration of carbon in shoots,roots and soils.We studied the status of community forest management,forest resource harvest and carbon stocks in two community forests of the mid hill region of central and western Nepal.The study was based on primary and secondary data collected through carbon stock measurement from field visits and allometric equations,household surveys,focus group discussions,key informant interviews,and review of past studies.Socioeconomic variables such as gender,age group,livestock and landholding status were related to resource utilization,conservation,and management of community forest.Forest resources such as timber,firewood,fodder and leaf litter were harvested in sustainable ways.People were involved in forest thinning,co-management meetings,guarding and planting trees for forest conservation and management.Density and carbon stock of trees increased gradually in comparison to a previous study.We recommend further research on other community forests for more accurate and better results.

Indigenous People’s Contribution to the Mitigation of Climate Variation, Their Perception, and Organizing Strategy for Sustainable Community Based Forest Resources Management in <i>Caraballo</i>Mountain, Philippines

The focus of the study is to measure the level of awareness of Indigenous People on Climate Variation. It inquired into their observations and organizing strategy to cope with the early impacts of climate change on their socio-economic and cultural beliefs. The organization’s adaptation and mitigation practices to protect the environment are also discussed using as basis of analysis the multi-stakeholders framework of forest protection. The study documented and recognized the Indigenous Peoples contributions to the preservation and protection of forest resources in Caraballo mountain and a shift in paradigm to Indigenous People’s centered forest resources management is recommended.

An Investigation of the Factors Influencing Community Participation in Forest Management: A Case of Balaka District, Malawi

Forests are vital for the environment through the support which they provide to biodiversity. They also provide cultural, social and economic support to human welfare. Forest degradation is attributed to multiple land uses which include agriculture, human settlement, the use of trees as the main source of energy and other infrastructure development. The main objective of the study was to assess factors that influence community participation in forest management in Kangankundi village forest area in Balaka District, Southern Malawi. Simple random sampling was used to select 100 community members who were interviewed in the study. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 22. The results showed positive significant relationship between community awareness and community participation (p = 0.015), and also between economic benefits and community involvement (p = 0.003). Involvement was not affected by income-generating activity which showed that (p = 0.781) and level of education (p = 0.535). Community awareness and economic benefits appear to be the main factors influencing community participation. Firewood and bamboos were noted to be the most resource obtained from the forest and beekeeping was also the income-generating activity in the study which is being promoted. It is concluded that community participation is influenced by many factors. The study recommends that youth must be deliberately involved in forest management as opposed to the current participation which is dominated by elderly people.

Contribution of Sumalindo Company:In Managing Forest Resources with Local Communities:Mahakam Ulu-East Kalimantan

The role of HPH(Forest Logging Concession)in developing rural communities is very significant.SLJ(Sumalindo Lestari Jaya)as HPH company has an important contribution in empowering local communities,especially in opening land transportation in the interior and helping to build agriculture and gardens.The existence of Sumalindo company participates in developing forest resource management with local communities,among others,increasing livelihoods,maintaining and developing biodiversity conservation and maintaining climate change.These efforts are in accordance with the regulations of the KLHK(Ministry of Environment and Forestry),that every HPH holder is required(mandatory)to obtain a certificate of“PHAPL”(Sustainable Production Natural Forest Management)and an“eco label”from the Indonesian Eco Label Institute.Besides,it is recommended that the holders of HPH concessions and HTI(Industrial Timber Plantations)have an FSC(Forest Stewardship Council)certificate from the EU(European Union),and must meet three indicator elements,namely economic,social and ecological in SFM(Sustainable Forest Management).This article examines three critical questions that show the role of Sumalindo Company in economic,ecological and social development and managing forest resources with the community as follows:(1)The role of Sumalindo company contributes to the development of road infrastructure in the interior;(2)The role of Sumalindo in improving livelihoods and economic and social empowerment of local communities;(3)The role of Sumalindo with local communities in managing forest resources,including maintaining and developing biodiversity conservation and maintaining climate change.

The influence of environmental factors on species composition and distribution in a community forest in Northern Thailand

Understanding the environmental factors that influence tree species composition is essential for successful management of biodiversity and sustainable use of community forest resources.This study aims to assess tree species composition and distribution in the deciduous Ban Mae Chiang Rai Lum Community Forest in Northern Thailand and to analyze the influence of environmental factors on tree biodiversity in the forest.We conducted a stratified systematic sampling of the forest’s total area of 3925 ha,and twenty-five 0.16 ha survey plots were established in three different stands of the deciduous forests to estimate and characterize the difference in biological diversity among the stands.Canonical correspondence analysis(CCA)was used to investigate the environment factors affecting such differences in biodiversity of the stands.The results showed a high diversity of trees in the forest as 197 species,144 genera,and 62 plant families were recorded.The CCA ordination identified the environmental factors—the most important of which were elevation,distance to streams,soil moisture,organic matter,and distance to communities—that signifi-cantly influenced the diversity and distribution of tree species(p<0.05)in the community forest.Our findings indicate that the implementation of drought reduction measures such as building check dams,fire protection,and monitoring community forest-product usage would be recommended to further biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of community forest resources.

A pattern for partnership between LMDH and Perhutani to enhance local community prosperity and preserve the forest:a case study at RPH Besowo,Kediri Regency,Indonesia

The deforestation in Indonesia is already alarming.One of the strategies used by the government to overcome forest deforestation is social forestry.This program is called PHBM(Pengelolaan Hutan Bersama Masyarakat/Joint Forest Management) which is basically a partnership program.This study aims at describing the partnership program between a local organization(i.e.LMDH) and a government unit(i.e.RPH of Perhutani) within the PHBM program.The objectives of this study are to(a) describe the model of partnerships between LMDH and RPH Besowo for sustainable forest management and local community empowerment;(b) determine the contribution of the forest to the national economy and rural household income;and(c) determine the obstacles commonly found in Besowo forest that have to be faced during the implementation of the partnerships.The study shows that with good partnership between these two units,the prosperity of the local community can be enhanced and the forest preservation can be maintained.The model of the partnerships in this particular area in Indonesia is expected to be applicable as well in other rural areas in Indonesia,as well as in other developing countries.

Perceptive insight into incentive design and sustainability of participatory mangrove management: a case study from the Indian Sundarbans

Incentive design is among the decisive factors behind active community participation and long-term sustainability of participatory forest management. Especially in case of mangroves, where multiple interests apply, it requires a careful integration of several ecological, economic and institutional factors. The primary objective of this paper is to understand the basis of incentive design and make a comprehensive inquiry into the existing incentive mechanism of participatory mangrove management in Indian Sundarbans. The qualitative and in-depth assessment was derived against a conceptual framework that contains three main determinants: (1) resources availability, (2) control mechanism, and (3) perception of end-users. The study deploys the results of various participatory exercises such as structured interviews with forest officials, focus group discussions with 10 Joint Forest Management Committees and semi-structured interviews with 119 mangrove users. In general, we observed an over-cautious, hierarchical and safety-margin-based incentive design with distinct bifurcation of communities over the adequacy and effectiveness of derived benefits. Although, the incentives are diverse and align well with the overall conservation of mangroves, they are considered to be insufficient by nearly half of the mangrove users. The main issues that were observed to hinder effective community participation can be summarized as (1) serious restrictions on access to economically exploitable mangrove products, (2) passive involvement of vulnerable occupational groups, and (3) lack of trust and conflicting interests between the officials and the communities. Although the existing preventive management of mangroves can be justified considering the magnanimity of the Indian Sundarbans, it can severely impair community participation and emerge as a clear threat to future sustainability. To secure greater participation of the communities, we propose small scale, innovative developmental incentives to supplement traditional forest-resource-based incentives.

Evaluation of state and community/private forests in Punjab, Pakistan using geospatial data and related techniques

Background： Forests are fundamental in maintaining water supplies, providing economic goods, mitigating climate change, and maintaining biodiversity, thus providing many of the world＇s poorest with income, food and medicine. Too often, forested lands are treated as ＂wastelands＂ or ＂free＂ and are easily cleared for agricultural and infrastructure expansion. Methods： In this paper, the sustainability of two forest ecosystems （state and community/private owned） was evaluated using SPOT-5 satellite images of 2005 and 2011. This study was conducted in a sub-watershed area covering 468 km2, of which 201 km2 is managed by the state and 267 km2 by community/private ownership in the Murree Galliat region of Punjab Province of Pakistan. A participatory approach was adopted for the delineation and demarcation of forest boundaries. The Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis （GEOBIA） technique was used for identification and mapping of ten Land Cover （LC） features. Results： The results show that between the years 2005 to 2011, a total of 55 km2 （24 km2 in state-owned forest and 31 km2 in community/private forest） was converted from forest to non-forest. The conclusion is that conservation is more effective in state-owned forests than in the community/private forests. Conclusions： These findings may help to mobilize community awareness and identify effective initiatives for improved management of community/private forest land for other regions of Pakistan.

Effects of single-tree selection harvesting on hymenopteran and saproxylic insect assemblages in the canopy and understory of northern temperate forests

Insects respond to changes in microhabitat caused by canopy disturbance, and thus can be used to examine the ecological impacts of harvesting. Single-tree selection harvesting is the most common silvicultural system used to emulate local small-scale natural disturbance and maintain uneven-aged forest structure in temperate forests. Here, we test for differences in richness, abundance, and composition of hymenopteran and saproxylic insect assemblages at four different taxon levels （selected insect orders; and all hymenopteran families, and braconid subfamilies and morphospecies） between the canopy and understory of unharvested and single-tree selection harvested sites in a northern temperate forest from central Canada. Harvesting had no effect on insect assemblage richness, composition or abundance at the three highest taxon levels （order, family and subfamily）. Similarly, richness and abundance at the lowest-taxon level （braconid morphospecies） were similar, although composition differed slightly between unharvested and harvested stands. Insect assemblages were vertically stratified, with generally higher abundance （for Diptera, Hymenoptera, some hymenopteran families and braconid subfamilies） and richness （for braconid morphospecies） in the understory than the canopy. In particular, composition of the braconid morphospecies assemblage showed relatively low similarity between the understory and canopy. Single-tree selection harvesting appears to influence wood-associated insect taxa only subtly through small changes in community composition at the lowest taxon level, and thus is recommended as a conservative approach for managing these northern temperate forests.

Swamp Forest Use and Loss in the Niger Delta: Contextual and Underlying Issues

Forest ecosystems are vital not only for the ecosystem and biogeochemical processes, but also for the livelihood of forest dependent communities for which its continual existence is a necessity. This study explored the pattern of forest use in the hinterlands of the Niger Delta and sought to elucidate the drivers of forest loss and how the ownership and management of the forest plots influenced the changes in the forest ecosystem. Ecosystem services reduction and forest loss/degradation were found to be increasing over the years due to crude oil activities, urbanization/developments, population increase, agricultural activities and natural causes like flood. While each factor contributed to forest loss directly and indirectly, and varied from community to community, agricultural activities and population growth were responsible for most of the losses across the landscape. Even though agricultural activities were essential and thrived in the region, sustainable forest (land) uses could have reduced the associated implications of such land uses;but this was however hampered by the farming practises (shifting cultivation) across most of the communities. Lack of proper, effective and sustainable forest management structures, poor individual commitment and monitoring of forest activities were found to encourage forest loss at different spatial scales. Provision of alternative sources of livelihood and ensuring that suitable guidelines on forest abstraction and harvest are enforced across the region, are steps to promoting biodiversity conservation and resource management.

Sustainable Management of Conurbation Forests in Northern Hesse (FRG)

Today 42% (9 000 km2) of the area of Hesse is covered with forests. The total area of forests hasslightly increased since several years. But actually the forests adjacent to the conurbations of NorthernHesse in the vicinity of Kassel in particular and in the Rhein-Main Region surrounding Frankfurt are in a verydifficult position. There is big demand for land to be converted into settlements, infrastructure, etc., whilethere is increasing need for the protective and recreational functions of the forests. Therefore maintenance ofexisting forests and establishment of new forests are amongst the most important responsibilities of theforest authorities on regional and district level.

气候变化下的社区森林经营探讨

回顾了近几年研究社区森林经营（CFM）的文献,介绍了西非、中非、南亚、中美洲国家的社区森林经营的经历和特点,总结了促进CFM成功的因素,探讨了在REDD＋政策下CFM可能产生的惠宜和遇到的问题。其结论：CFM是森林加富的有效手段;森林土地权属明晰、社区参与森林规则制定、社区成员同质性、稳定的环境条件是促进CFM成功的因素;REDD＋报偿有可能给可持续经营森林和有限使用森林的森林社区提供数量可观的惠宜。

Van Panchayats as an Effective Tool in Conserving Biodiversity at Local Level

Forest vegetation of a community managed forest was studied along four aspects. Quercus leucotrichophora and Pinus roxburghii was the dominant species on each of the two aspects. Across the aspects the total tree density ranged between 193 to 324.3 ind/ha, sapling density between 119 to 258.6 ind/ha and seedling density from 249.98 to 845 ind/ha. The shrub density varied from 199.99 to 406.32 ind/ha and herb density from 9466.66 to 52483.33 ind/ha. The total basal area varied from 0.06 to 7.15 m2/ha at eastern and north facing aspect for Quercus leucotrichophora and Pinus roxburghii respectively showing that the forest is in young stage. Species diversity value for tree layer varied from 0.21 to 1.23 while concentration of dominance value ranged from 0.56 to 0.94. It was noticed that with an increase in species diversity concentration of dominance value decreases indicating inverse relationship between diversity and dominance.

Fertilization and clear-cutting effects on greenhouse gas emissions of pinewood nematode damaged Masson pine plantation

Introduction:Management practices are essential for maintaining forest ecological functions under increasing diseases and pest disasters.The effects of nitrogen fertilization(NF)and clear-cutting(CC)on the soil microbial community structure and greenhouse gases emission were investigated of pinewood nematodes(Bursaphelenchus xylophilus)-infected Masson pine(Pinus massoniana)plantations.Outcomes:CC increased the soil microbial biomass carbon(SMBC)and soil microbial biomass nitrogen(SMBN)contents relative to the control(CK).NF increased the SMBN but had no significant effect on the SMBC content.The total fungal and bacterial abundances increased in the CC treatment compared with the CK,but there was no significant difference between the NF and CK.The cumulative soil CO_(2)emission(-2.35 t C·hm^(-2))was higher than that of CK(1.65 t C·hm^(-2))in summer,and the cumulative annual N_(2)O emission(16.90 kg N·hm^(-2)yr^(-1))of NF was approximately 47 times of CK(0.36 t N·hm^(-2)·yr^(-1)).CC increased the CO_(2)flux(-2.21 t C·hm^(-2))in summer but have no significantly effects on N_(2)O emission.Conclusion:These results indicated that NF and CC practices changed forest soil microbial community structure and affected soil greenhouse gas emissions in pinewood nematodes-infected Masson pine plantations.The CO_(2)emission rates increased in the NF and CC treatments,which reduced the carbon sequestration function of forests and had a negative impact on climate change.

Constraints and Opportunities for Sustainable Livelihoods and Cash Income Generation from NTFPs in the Mountains of Northern Parts of Pakistan

Pakistan′s forest resource base is mostly found in the mountains of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) supporting the livelihood of the rural poor and providing different ecological services.The present study was,therefore,initiated with the aim to evaluate different constraints and opportunities for sustainable livelihoods and cash income generation from NTFPs in the mountainous area of NWFP,Pakistan during 2008.Information was collected through questionnaire and interviews during field trips.A total of 117 NTFPs species have been recorded which are being used locally for various purposes such as fuel wood,fodder,medicinal plants,vegetables,mushroom,agricultural tools making,furniture,thatching,shade,fencing/poles,ornamental purpose and animal products.The majority of plants are multi-functional like Pinus wallichiana provides timber,firewood,torch wood,the leaves/small branches are used as thatch for roofing,split logs are used for fencing and the decomposed needles are collected as humus for agricultural fields.These products were widely used by the indigenous community supporting their livelihood.The study proposes protection and sustainable management of these valuable resources for rural livelihoods,which might be useful for developing regional strategies of sustainable management of forest resources.