scholarly journals Understanding Sustainable Forest Management Certification in Slovakia: Forest Owners’ Perception of Expectations, Benefits and Problems

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 2470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hubert Paluš ◽  
Ján Parobek ◽  
Rastislav Šulek ◽  
Ján Lichý ◽  
Jaroslav Šálka
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Forest Certification ◽  
Forest Stewardship Council ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Local Conditions ◽  
Price Premiums ◽  
Forest Management Practices

Forest certification as a voluntary verification tool has been providing an independent assessment of sustainable forestry practices and thus confidence in sustainability benchmarks for over 20 years. Using either the international or national approaches and initiatives, two main forest certification systems, PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), have spread in a number of countries worldwide. The specifics of local conditions in the forestry sector have to be taken into account when implementing the certification context in a given country or a region. Apart from the natural conditions, institutional structure, or legislative framework, it is also the local and national stakeholders and their perception of this issue that provides the background for the implementation of the certification criteria. The main objective of this study is to examine the general understanding of the certification concept as an environmental, economic, and social tool, and to determine the incentives of forest owners in Slovakia for sustainable forest management (SFM) certification. In addition, the benefits and problems arising from participation in certification were identified and differences reflecting the ownership structure of forests, size of forest area, and participation in a particular certification programme were analysed. Results indicate that certified forest owners, unlike non-certified, demonstrated a high level of understanding of the SFM certification concept. Certified entities mainly consider forest certification as their commitment to environmental responsibility and a tool for improving external company image, promoting sustainable utilisation of forest resources, and improving forest management practices. The main benefits are linked to the possibility to demonstrate forest management practices, a better understanding of the forest management concept, and improvement of forest management practices. PEFC users perceive more benefits following from certification; the most important are those associated with non-economic values, while FSC-certified forest owners perceive mainly economic benefits connected to market penetration, increased sales volume, and potential price premiums. The key problems associated with certification relate to duties to ensure compliance with certification criteria by contractors and administrative difficulties. Respondents reported minimum price premiums for the sale of their certified timber. Additionally, the findings of the study pointed out that a nationally developed certification system can better recognise the roles and objectives of forest certification in the context of forest policy.

scholarly journals Contribution of Forest Stewardship Council Certification to Sustainable Forest Management of State Forests in Selected Southeast European Countries

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 648
Author(s):  
Špela Pezdevšek Malovrh ◽  
Dženan Bećirović ◽  
Bruno Marić ◽  
Jelena Nedeljković ◽  
Stjepan Posavec ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Forest Certification ◽  
Forest Stewardship Council ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Forest Management Practices ◽  
Forest Stewardship

In recent decades, the concept of forest certification under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) has been widely adopted in selected Southeast European countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia). As sustainability is traditionally recognised as a leading principle in the forest management doctrine in these countries, the aim of this study was to understand whether, and how, FSC forest certification contributes to the sustainable management of state forests. The research was carried out in two phases. First, in order to assess forest management compliance with FSC standard, non-conformities for the period 2014–2018, identified in audit Public Summary Reports, were analysed in all public companies that managed state-owned forests in selected countries. Further, in-depth, semi-structured interviews with the professionals responsible for forest certification in these companies were conducted (n = 11) to determine the contribution of forest certification to the economic, ecological, and social aspects of sustainable forest management. In total, 185 non-conformities were analysed. The results showed that FSC certification was successful in addressing certain problems in forest management practices and contributed to sustainable forest management, mainly covering social and ecological issues. The most frequently identified non-conformities were those related to FSC Principle 4 Community relations and worker’s rights (32.3% of all non-conformities) and Principle 6 Environmental impact (30.4% of all non-conformities). The contribution of FSC certification to sustainable forest management is mainly reflected in the following aspects: Worker’s rights; health and safety of employees; availability of appropriate personal protective equipment; consultation with local people and interest groups; awareness of environmental impacts of forestry operations; waste disposal and storage of fuel; improving the image of forest companies and maintenance of high-conservation-value forests. The majority of non-conformities were minor and required procedural changes to be closed. Moreover, there are no statistically significant differences between the countries with regard to the number of non-conformities for all principles. It can be concluded that FSC certification, as a market-driven mechanism, plays an important role by influencing forest management practices and business operations of public forest companies in a positive manner.

scholarly journals Relating extension education to the adoption of sustainable forest management practices

2016 ◽  
Vol 92 (04) ◽  
pp. 412-417
Author(s):  
Maminiaina S. Rasamoelina ◽  
James E. Johnson ◽  
R. Bruce Hull
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Educational Programs ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Family Forest ◽  
Forest Management Practices

Family forest lands represent a vitally important economic, environmental, and social resource in the U.S. A study of family forest owners was conducted in Virginia in 2007 to determine the relationship between attendance at Extension Service educational programs and the adoption of sustainable forest management practices. A mail survey was conducted to 3435 randomly selected forest owners, with a usable response rate of 32%. Participation in educational programs was shown to be significantly related to higher levels of adoption for all seven categories of sustainable forest management practices studied. For example, in the woodland management category, participants in workshops offered through the Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program (VFLEP) adopted one or more specific practices at a rate of 94%, significantly greater than 83% for forest owners who attended other general educational programs, which in turn was significantly higher than the 75% adoption rate for forest owners who did not attend any educational programs. Two key indicators of sustainable forest management are the preparation and use of a forest management plan, and the use of professional technical assistance providers. For both of these categories participants in the VFLEP adopted at significantly higher rates, 41% and 73%, respectively.

scholarly journals Effects of forest certification towards sustainable community forestry in Nepal

1970 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pem N Kandel
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Community Forestry ◽  
Forest Certification ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Forest Stewardship Council ◽  
Community Forests ◽  
Sustainable Community ◽  
Forest Stewardship ◽  
Forest Users

In early 2005, 10,045 ha Community Forests (CFs) were certified in Bajhang and Dolakha districts of Nepal by using the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification scheme. After two years of forest certification, subsequent questions are being asked such as: What benefits have certification brought for the Forest Users Groups (FUGs)? What tangible differences are there in forest management system because of forest certification? and What lessons have been learnt from the certified forests? In an attempt to answer these questions, a study was carried out in April 2007 in Dolakha district where 11 (2,182 ha) community managed forests were certified in 2005. On the basis of field study from two certified forests (Vitteripakha and Suspa) of the district, this paper analyzes the effects of forest certification and its implications for enhancing Sustainable Community Forestry (SCF) in Nepal. Key words: Sustainable forest management, forest certification, community forestry Banko Janakari: A journal of forestry information for Nepal Vol.17(1) 2007 pp.11-16

Abitibi's approach to forest certification

1996 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-258
Author(s):  
William P. Furey
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Key Words ◽  
General Public ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Sustainable Forestry ◽  
Forest Industry ◽  
Forest Certification ◽  
Forest Management Practices ◽  
Management Standards ◽  
Year 2000

Forest Certification is one of the priority issues facing the forest industry and will become increasingly more important as we move towards the year 2000. It will provide a voluntary, impartial process for each company to demonstrate to the general public, customers and Government, that its forest management practices meet or exceed established standards necessary for sustainability. Key words: sustainable forestry, Canadian forest management standards, forest certification

scholarly journals Modelling Non-timber Forest Products for Forest Management Planning in Europe

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-322
Author(s):  
Jari Miina ◽  
Mikko Kurttila ◽  
Rafael Calama ◽  
Sergio de-Miguel ◽  
Timo Pukkala
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Forest Products ◽  
Joint Production ◽  
Forest Owners ◽  
Management Planning ◽  
Forest Management Planning ◽  
Forest Management Practices ◽  
Non Timber Forest Products

Abstract Purpose of Review The increased popularity and commercial use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) calls for the development of models for NTFPs to include their predicted yields in forest management planning and to evaluate the potential of multi-functional forest management. This study assesses and discusses the current state of the art and trends in NTFP yield modelling in Europe and the integration of the models in multi-functional forest management planning at different spatial scales. Recent Findings Climate-sensitive empirical yield models already exist not only for a variety of NTFPs that are economically important to forest owners (e.g. cork and pine nuts) but also for wild-gathered berries and mushrooms, the harvesting of which cannot be controlled by the forest landowner in all European countries. Several studies on multi-functional forest management planning consider the economic profitability of the joint production of timber and NTFP. Harvesting NTFPs can create significant additional incomes for forest owners, compared with timber production only. However, maximizing the economic returns from the joint production of timber and NTFPs often calls for changes in forest management practices. Summary Continued efforts in modelling and predicting the yields of NTFPs have enabled forest managers to further expand the analyses of multi-functional forest planning and management in Europe. Climate-sensitive models also allow analyses on the potential effects of climate change on NTFP yields. New models and forest management practices are still needed for tree fruits, birch sap, a wider variety of wild edible mushrooms, specialty mushrooms cultivated on live trees as well as medicinal and edible forest herbs harvested for commercial value in Europe.

scholarly journals Assessment and Monitoring Protocols to Guarantee the Maintenance of Biodiversity in Certified Forests: A Case Study for FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Forests in Southwestern Spain

Forests ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 705
Author(s):  
Antonio Sánchez-Almendro ◽  
Pablo Hidalgo ◽  
Rosario Galán ◽  
José Carrasco ◽  
Javier López-Tirado
Keyword(s):  
Forest Management ◽  
Sustainable Forest Management ◽  
Forest Certification ◽  
Forest Stewardship Council ◽  
Conservation Areas ◽  
Assessment And Monitoring ◽  
High Conservation ◽  
Conservation Values ◽  
Forest Stewardship ◽  
Monitoring Protocols

(1) Biodiversity, sustainable development and nature conservation are fundamental issues nowadays. All companies, administrations, governments and international organisations take these issues into consideration. Sustainable forest management always requires a compromise between profitability and conservation and in this fragile equilibrium, forest certification plays a key scheme. This sustainable management is of great importance in the European Union (EU), with the Forest Stewardship Council playing a fundamental role in forest certification. This certification forms the basis of the ecosystem conservation and improvement strategy in Ence, Energía y Celulosa, the leading company dedicated to the production of eucalyptus in Spain; (2) A three-phase protocol (identification of High Conservation Values, assessment of conservation areas and monitoring program), has been developed, providing clear, objective criteria, particularly concerning FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Principle 9, the primary goal being the development and application of these objective criteria in the Ence conservation areas in the province of Huelva (Spain). One of the main criteria for habitat classification was correspondence with the habitats listed in Annex I of the Habitats Directive. The compatibility between forest exploitation management and conservation proposed by the Natura 2000 network encouraged us to use this methodology for the identification, classification and assessment of High Conservation Values considered in FSC forest certification: Principle 9; (3) The study encompasses 183 forest management units covering 52,022 ha, with a total of 11,847.45 ha being identified as High Conservation Value Areas. Through the identification and assessment of the conservation areas, the described methodology played a crucial role in demonstrating the positive impact of Ence’s certified forest management on the conservation of biological diversity; (4) This study demonstrates that an objective and reliable identification, assessment and monitoring methodology, with a proven high degree of accuracy in the location and characterisation of interesting and representative habitats in the region, can be implemented. Due to its objectivity, this strategy can be easily applied to other European sustainable forest management sites and possibly to other countries outside the EU.

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