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Economics, Policies, and Management of Production Forests in Time of...
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Economics, Policies, and Management of Production Forests in Time of Global Change

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Economics, Policy, and Social Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2021) | Viewed by 18619

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Jiří Remeš

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Silviculture; Faculty of Forestry, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Interests: silviculture; forest regeneration; economic consequences of different silviculture systems; close-to-nature forest management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The current climate change has a very significant effect on the health, vitality, and productive capacity of forest ecosystems. At the same time, society’s requirements for forests are further increasing and diversifying. The ecological, economic, and social impacts of the ongoing changes need to be analyzed in detail, not only in relation to natural forests, but also to commercial forests. Although these stands were established mainly for timber production, they are dominant in certain areas, and their current significance is much wider than expected. As some traditional forestry practices prove to be failing, new ways of adapting productive forestry need to be sought. Due to the topicality of this problem, a Special Issue of the Forests journal entitled Economics, Policies and Management of Production Forests in Time of Global Change is open for the publication of original scientific papers.

Prof. Dr. Jiří Remeš
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Economic yield
  • Wood production
  • Commercial forests
  • Plantations
  • Climate change
  • Forest policy
  • Adaptation
  • Sustainability
  • Tree species composition

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1164 KiB  
Article
The Effectiveness of the Ecological Forest Rangers Policy in Southwest China
by Yifan Wang, Dengju Wang and Rong Zhao
Forests 2021, 12(6), 746; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12060746 - 5 Jun 2021
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2556
Abstract
To achieve the dual goal of poverty alleviation and ecological restoration, the policy of ecological forest rangers (EFRs) was implemented in rural poverty-stricken areas in China, where local residents commonly depend on nearby forest resources for livelihoods. This study aimed to analyze the [...] Read more.
To achieve the dual goal of poverty alleviation and ecological restoration, the policy of ecological forest rangers (EFRs) was implemented in rural poverty-stricken areas in China, where local residents commonly depend on nearby forest resources for livelihoods. This study aimed to analyze the short-term and long-term effectiveness of the EFRs policy in China mainly in poverty alleviation and income growth, with a brief discussion on the ecological effect of the policy. A questionnaire survey was conducted in four counties in the Karst rocky desertification region in southwest China. By combing through the early literature on REDD+, community forestry, leasehold forestry, etc., this paper summarizes the experience and lessons of similar community forest management models, aiming to explain the unsustainability of EFRs policy from the perspective of forest tenure and governance. The findings of the effectiveness analysis of EFRs policy in the four poverty-stricken counties reflect different degrees of effect in rural households with different income levels. We believe that the EFRs policy has played important roles in short-term regional poverty alleviation while its potential for long-term income growth has not been stimulated. For the amendment of EFRs policy, we put forward the following points: (1) It is necessary to redesign the selection and recruitment mechanism, as well as the exit mechanism of EFRs adapting to the local conditions. (2) It is advisable to further improve the local assessment and monitoring system of forest protection quality of EFRs and optimize the establishment of benefit linkage mechanism between protection effectiveness and EFRs remuneration. (3) The EFRs remuneration standards should be dynamically raised to assure the active participation of EFRs in forest protection. Furthermore, there is a need for one more effective integration model of forest protection and rural livelihoods improvement, which is considered as a potential future research direction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economics, Policies, and Management of Production Forests in Time of Global Change)
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17 pages, 4099 KiB  
Article
Investigating the Optimal Location of Potential Forest Industry Clusters to Enhance Domestic Timber Utilization in South Korea
by Heesung Woo, Hee Han, Seungwan Cho, Geonhwi Jung, Bomi Kim, Jiyeon Ryu, Hyun Kyu Won and Joowon Park
Forests 2020, 11(9), 936; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11090936 - 27 Aug 2020
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 4131
Abstract
South Korea has abundant forest resources capable of supplying the domestic wood demand. Despite the extensive forest resources, there is continued uncertainty about the nature, quantity, and quality of the timber contained in any particular forested area. Additionally, some technical, logistic, and economic [...] Read more.
South Korea has abundant forest resources capable of supplying the domestic wood demand. Despite the extensive forest resources, there is continued uncertainty about the nature, quantity, and quality of the timber contained in any particular forested area. Additionally, some technical, logistic, and economic challenges act as barriers to the expansion of domestic timber utilization. To overcome these limitations and to enhance the domestic timber utilization in South Korea, this study investigated the optimal location of potential forest industry clusters. The potential forest availability was estimated based on localized allometric equations. The integration of the analytical hierarchy process and GIS modeling, including a supply chain that minimizes transportation costs, allowed the identification of optimal forest industry clusters locations that balanced the economic, environmental, and social dimensions within the forest industry supply chain. The study reveals that the estimated potential forest resources availability presented approximately 1 billion m3, including sawlog (474 million m3) and pulpwood grade (541 million m3). Additionally, 45 percent of the sawlogs and 48 percent of the pup grade wood were produced from the Gangwon and Gyeongsangbuk-do regions. Furthermore, the logistic analysis indicates that ten potential forest industry clusters are best aligned with the optimal socio-economic impacts with minimized timber transportation costs. To identify the optimal size and number of potential forest industry clusters, further studies that consider fixed and variable costs for maintaining the forest industry clusters are required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economics, Policies, and Management of Production Forests in Time of Global Change)
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24 pages, 2072 KiB  
Article
Understanding of Forest Cover Dynamics in Traditional Landscapes: Mapping Trajectories of Changes in Mountain Territories (1824–2016), on the Example of Jeleniogórska Basin, Poland
by Justyna Jaworek-Jakubska, Maciej Filipiak and Anna Napierała-Filipiak
Forests 2020, 11(8), 867; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11080867 - 8 Aug 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3145
Abstract
Though on a global scale, for ecological reasons, increased forest cover is universally regarded as positive, on a local scale, the reforestation of arable land may pose threats to cultural landscapes by removing characteristic landscape features. Particularly vulnerable are marginal rural areas, e.g., [...] Read more.
Though on a global scale, for ecological reasons, increased forest cover is universally regarded as positive, on a local scale, the reforestation of arable land may pose threats to cultural landscapes by removing characteristic landscape features. Particularly vulnerable are marginal rural areas, e.g., mountain regions, where most traditional land use systems have survived and which are subject to the most spectacular land use change. The purpose of this article is to draw attention to the issue of the management of forest cover in historical cultural landscapes in mountain territories in Poland within the context of widespread land use change in Eastern Europe. Land cover data were obtained from historical and contemporary aerial photographs, as well as topographic maps from five time points between 1824 and 2016. The study was conducted by means of spatio-temporal forest cover trajectory analysis (LCTA), transition and time–depth analysis, and land cover change calculations that were made by means of ArcGIS. Our research indicates that the rate of change has risen considerably in the last two decades, and the current share of forest cover is much bigger than that reflected in the official data. Eight principal forest cover trajectory types were identified. The biggest area is occupied by woodland of long-term stability. Another large group is constituted by forests created on the basis of arable land and grassland as a result of simple conversion at one point in time, mainly in the years 1824–1886 and 1939–1994. At the same time, a sizeable group is made up by areas that have been subject to unplanned cyclical or dynamic changes during various periods. A very important group is comprised new forests that were created in 1994–2016, predominantly as a result of natural succession, that are often not included in official land classifications. The constant expansion of woodlands has led to a shrinking of historical former coppice woodlands. This indicates that the current landscape management mechanisms in Poland are inadequate for protecting the cultural landscape. The barriers include the lack of intersectoral cooperation and the overlooking of the historical context of landscapes. The present situation calls not only for verification of the existing forest policy but also for increasing the role and engagement of local communities, as well as making comprehensive local development plans, all of which may be helped by the findings of our study and of similar research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economics, Policies, and Management of Production Forests in Time of Global Change)
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19 pages, 7710 KiB  
Article
Spatio–Temporal Changes of Forests in Northeast China: Insights from Landsat Images and Geospatial Analysis
by Chunying Ren, Lin Chen, Zongming Wang, Bai Zhang, Yanbiao Xi and Chunyan Lu
Forests 2019, 10(11), 937; https://doi.org/10.3390/f10110937 - 23 Oct 2019
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3642
Abstract
Dramatic changes of forests have strong influence on regional and global carbon cycles, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Understanding dynamics of forests from local to global scale is crucial for policymaking and sustainable development. In this study, we developed an updating and object-based image [...] Read more.
Dramatic changes of forests have strong influence on regional and global carbon cycles, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. Understanding dynamics of forests from local to global scale is crucial for policymaking and sustainable development. In this study, we developed an updating and object-based image analysis method to map forests in Northeast China using Landsat images from 1990 to 2015. The spatio–temporal patterns of forests were quantified based on resultant maps and geospatial analysis. Results showed that the percentage of forested area occupying the entire northeast China was more than 40%, about 94% of initial forest cover remained unchanged (49.37 × 104 km2) over the course of 25 years. A small net forest loss (1051 km2) was observed during 1990–2015. High forest gain (10,315 km2) and forest loss (9923 km2) both occurred from 2010 to 2015. At the provincial level, Heilongjiang demonstrated the highest rate of deforestation, with a net loss of 1802 km2 (0.89%). Forest changes along elevation, slope, and distance from settlements and roads were also investigated. Over 90% of forest changes occurred in plains and low mountain areas within the elevation of 200–1000 m and slope under 15°. The most dramatic forest changes can be found within the distance of 2000 m from settlements and roads. The reclamation of sloping land, construction of settlements and roads, and possible smallholder clearing contributed more to forest loss, while ecological projects and related government policies play an important role on afforestation and reforestation. These results can provide useful spatial information for further research on the driving forces and consequences of forest changes, which have critical implications for scientific conservation and management of forests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economics, Policies, and Management of Production Forests in Time of Global Change)
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Review

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19 pages, 3750 KiB  
Review
How to Increase Biodiversity of Saproxylic Beetles in Commercial Stands through Integrated Forest Management in Central Europe
by Václav Zumr, Jiří Remeš and Karel Pulkrab
Forests 2021, 12(6), 814; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12060814 - 21 Jun 2021
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3645
Abstract
Due to traditional forest management, the primary goal of which is the production of raw wood material, commercial forest stands are characterized by low biodiversity. At the same time, commercial forests make up the majority of forests in the Central European region, which [...] Read more.
Due to traditional forest management, the primary goal of which is the production of raw wood material, commercial forest stands are characterized by low biodiversity. At the same time, commercial forests make up the majority of forests in the Central European region, which means a significant impact on the biodiversity of the entire large region. Saproxylic species of organisms are a frequently used criterion of biodiversity in forests. Based upon the analysis of 155 scientific works, this paper defines the fundamental attributes of the active management supporting biodiversity as well as the preservation of the production function. Using these attributes, a model management proposal was created for three tree species, which takes into account the results of research carried out in the territory of the University Forest Enterprise of the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, since 2019. The optimum constant volume of deadwood in commercial stands was set at 40–60 m3/ha, 20% of which should be standing deadwood. The time framework is scheduled for an average rotation period of the model tree species, while the location of deadwood and frequency of enrichment must comply with the rate of decomposition, the requirement for the bulkiest dimensions of deadwood possible, and the planned time of tending and regeneration operations in accordance with the models used in the Czech Republic. The goal of active management is to maintain the continuity of suitable habitats for sensitive and endangered species. The estimates of the value of retained wood for decomposition can be as high as 45–70 EUR/ha/year for spruce and beech, and about 30 EUR /ha/year for oak. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Economics, Policies, and Management of Production Forests in Time of Global Change)
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