Alberta Research Council: Providing innovation from the forest to the finishing line

2002 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 74-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malcolm A Wilson

The Alberta Research Council (ARC) delivers public good research and development (R&D), contract services and technology commercialization to the forest sector. Alberta's forest sector has identified three major research and technology thrusts: sustainable forest management, adding value to the forest resources, and enabling technologies for improved management, resource processing and environmental protection. Issues such as fibre supply and utilization, energy conservation, certification and technology transfer are priorities. ARC's Forest Technologies Division addresses these priorities by providing public and private sector customers with applied research and technology services via its three business units: Forest Resources, Forest Products, and Pulp and Paper. Key words: Alberta Research Council, public good applied research and development, contract services, technology commercialization, sustainable forest management, agrifibres, pulp and paper, forest products, engineered wood composites

Author(s):  
Jose Mbenga Ibesoa

This article attempted to define a compromise making it possible the satisfaction of the material needs of the populations living within the National park of Salonga while ensuring the conservation of long-term forest resources. The management of the forests requires deepened knowledge of the resources and the participation of the local communities, which are the better, informed on of the forest resources. The implementing of a policy on sustainable forest management would be possible by a better integration and participation of the local populations. A survey was carried out in four villages of the National park of Salonga. The results of the investigation show clearly a positive attitude of the rural populations with regard to the forest resources. The diversity of the needs for the population corresponds to the choice of the products and services of the forest. Overall, the potential of the park’s forests is superior in comparison with the needs of the population. The exploitation of the forest products is vast and is included in the category of a system of an economy of collection.


1996 ◽  
Vol 72 (3) ◽  
pp. 247-252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tony Rotherham

Increasing demand for forest products and other forest benefits, coupled with widespread public concern about the management of diminishing forest resources are leading governments to move in the direction of a convention on forests, and the private sector to consider the benefits of sustainable forest management certification. Canada is developing a national standard based on ISO 14001 EMS. Several countries support the development of an internationally applicable standard through ISO.


Author(s):  
Svetlana Dorzhievna Puntsukova

The paper is focused on the problem of developing a strategy for sustainable forest management and the forest sector of the economy of the territories. The aim is to improve approaches to its creation based on an ecosystem approach to generating real economic incomes from forest products and forest services and improving the environment. For this, the conceptual framework of the study based on the ecosystem approach is substantiated, considering the relationship between ecosystem services of the forest and various forms of their contribution to the economic development of territories, taking into account the forest and non-forest sectors of the economy. To determine the ecosystem services of the forest, the methods of direct counting, compara-tive analysis, assessment of “willingness to pay”, assessment of the carbon budget, etc. were used. The study of the economic value of the ecosystem services of the forest of transboundary territories showed the differences between the direct and indi-rect contribution of forests to the economy of the regions, which are determined by climatic features, the state of the forest fund, the degree of forestry activities, applied methods of forest management and forest use. The study made it possible to devel-op strategic directions for sustainable management of forest ecosystem services in transboundary terri-tories and to draw a conclusion about the need to move from a conservation type of forest manage-ment to the principles of sustainable development based on the preservation and enhancement of the economic, social and ecological value of forests.


Author(s):  
С.Е. Грибов ◽  
А.В. Грязькин ◽  
С.А. Корчагов

В современных условиях устойчивого управления лесами лесной сектор должен развиваться на принципах многоцелевого пользования лесными ресурсами, о чем свидетельствуют и общемировые тенденции. Анализ специальной литературы позволяет говорить о том, что Вологодская область обладает значительным потенциалом для заготовки и переработки недревесных ресурсов леса. Областным департаментом лесного комплекса на 1 октября 2015 г. заключено 915 договоров аренды лесных участков на общую площадь 6348 тыс. га, из них в целях заготовки и сбора недревесных лесных ресурсов заключен лишь один договор аренды на площадь 2,5 тыс. га. Этим договором предусматривается заготовка новогодних елей. Сложившаяся ситуация является результатом действия нескольких факторов, главный из которых - отсутствие соответствующей структуры для заготовки и переработки основных видов недревесных ресурсов леса. Использованы материалы лесоустройства различной давности, отчетная документация предприятий лесного комплекса, начиная с 1970-х гг., и коммерческих структур, занимающихся закупкой и переработкой недревесной продукции леса. Урожайность и запасы основных видов ягодных растений заимствованы из Лесного плана Вологодской области и лесохозяйственных регламентов лесничеств. В недавнем прошлом на территории Вологодской области лесхозами заготавливались грибы, ягоды, лекарственное и техническое сырье в значительных количествах. В отдельные годы объем заготовки только лесных ягод достигал 1400 т. Сегодня, несмотря на значительные запасы лесных ягод, грибов, лекарственного сырья и иных видов ресурсов, промышленная заготовка не ведется, отсутствуют договоры аренды на их заготовку. Сбор некоторых видов недревесной продукции проводится, как правило, местным населением для собственного потребления или на продажу представителям частных фирм, осуществляющих свою деятельность за пределами области. Все это вызвано недостаточным вниманием со стороны государства к этому виду деятельности. Рациональное использование многообразной экологически чистой продукции лесного фонда позволяет решать вопросы продовольственной и экологической безопасности страны. In modern conditions of sustainable forest management, the forest sector must develop on the principles of multipurpose use of forest resources, as evidenced by global trends. Analysis of literature suggests that the Vologda oblast has significant potential for the harvesting and processing of non wood forest resources. The regional Department of forest complex on October 1, 2015 915 concluded lease contracts of forest plots in the total area is 6348 thousand hectares, from them, to harvesting and collection of non wood forest resources concluded only one agreement on a rental area of 2.5 thousand hectares. The contract covers the procurement of Christmas trees. This situation is the result of several factors, chief among which is the lack of framework for the preparation and processing of the main types of non wood forest resources. During the research there were used the materials of forest inventory at different stages. Accounting documentation of the enterprises of a forest complex, since the 70-ies of the last century and commercial structures, involved in the purchase and processing of non wood forest products. The productivity and reserves of the main types of berry plants were derived from the Forest plan of the Vologda region and the forestry regulations of forestry. In the recent past on the territory of the Vologda region forestry harvests mushrooms, berries, medicinal and technical raw materials fall in quantities. In some years the amount of harvesting only wild berries reached 1400 t currently, despite significant stocks of wild berries, mushrooms, medicinal raw materials and other resources, commercial harvesting is not conducted, there are no lease contracts for their harvest. Collect certain types of non wood forest products produced, usually by local population for own consumption or for sale to representatives of private firms, operating outside the area. All of this caused by lack of attention by the state to this activity. Rational use of diverse environmentally friendly products of the forest Fund allows you to address issues of food and environmental security of the country.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matieu Henry ◽  
Zaheer Iqbal ◽  
Kristofer Johnson ◽  
Mariam Akhter ◽  
Liam Costello ◽  
...  

Abstract Background National forest inventory and forest monitoring systems are more important than ever considering continued global degradation of trees and forests. These systems are especially important in a country like Bangladesh, which is characterised by a large population density, climate change vulnerability and dependence on natural resources. With the aim of supporting the Government’s actions towards sustainable forest management through reliable information, the Bangladesh Forest Inventory (BFI) was designed and implemented through three components: biophysical inventory, socio-economic survey and remote sensing-based land cover mapping. This article documents the approach undertaken by the Forest Department under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to establish the BFI as a multipurpose, efficient, accurate and replicable national forest assessment. The design, operationalization and some key results of the process are presented. Methods The BFI takes advantage of the latest and most well-accepted technological and methodological approaches. Importantly, it was designed through a collaborative process which drew from the experience and knowledge of multiple national and international entities. Overall, 1781 field plots were visited, 6400 households were surveyed, and a national land cover map for the year 2015 was produced. Innovative technological enhancements include a semi-automated segmentation approach for developing the wall-to-wall land cover map, an object-based national land characterisation system, consistent estimates between sample-based and mapped land cover areas, use of mobile apps for tree species identification and data collection, and use of differential global positioning system for referencing plot centres. Results Seven criteria, and multiple associated indicators, were developed for monitoring progress towards sustainable forest management goals, informing management decisions, and national and international reporting needs. A wide range of biophysical and socioeconomic data were collected, and in some cases integrated, for estimating the indicators. Conclusions The BFI is a new information source tool for helping guide Bangladesh towards a sustainable future. Reliable information on the status of tree and forest resources, as well as land use, empowers evidence-based decision making across multiple stakeholders and at different levels for protecting natural resources. The integrated socio-economic data collected provides information about the interactions between people and their tree and forest resources, and the valuation of ecosystem services. The BFI is designed to be a permanent assessment of these resources, and future data collection will enable monitoring of trends against the current baseline. However, additional institutional support as well as continuation of collaboration among national partners is crucial for sustaining the BFI process in future.


Author(s):  
Kezang Choden ◽  
Bhagat Suberi ◽  
Purna Chettri

Forests are natural carbon reservoirs that play an important role in the global carbon cycle for storing large quantities of carbon in vegetation and soils. Carbon stored in pool helps in mitigating climate change by carbon sequestration. The vulnerable countries to changing climate such as Bhutan, Nepal, and India require a full understanding of carbon dynamics as well as baseline data on carbon stock potential to mitigate anticipated risks and vulnerabilities (RVs) through climate change. The scope of such RVs are trans boundary in nature, however, the comparative studies at regional scale are still scanty. Therefore, the aim of this review is to assess the carbon stock potentials of selected forest types in the eastern Himalayan area, with an emphasis on Bhutan, India, and Nepal. This review paper is based on published articles, information from websites and considerable data from National forestry reports of India and Bhutan; emphasizing on aboveground biomass and soil organic carbon stock. The review showed that carbon stock potential is highly dependent on stand density, above-ground biomass, species richness and forest types. The sub-tropical forest was found to have larger carbon capacity and sequestration potential. SOC concentration and tree biomass stocks were significantly higher at the high altitude where there is less human disturbance. In general, forest coverage has increased compare to previous year in Bhutan, India and Nepal which ultimately leads to higher carbon stock potential. It is mainly due to strong policies and different strategies for conservation of forest management have reduced mass destruction despite a growing population. Despite the rules, deforestation continues to occur at various scales. However, it can be stated that the government and citizens are working hard to increase carbon stock potential, mostly through afforestation and community forest creation. In addition, it is recommended to practice sustainable forest management, regulated and planned cutting of trees and proper forest products utilization.


1999 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 811-820
Author(s):  
Andrew M. Carpenter ◽  
Winifred B. Kessler

Forest certification programs establish standards for sustainable forest management (SFM), and processes for evaluating the practices of companies relative to those standards. FORESTCARE is a volunteer, provincial-level certification program initiated by the Alberta Forest Products Association, its members, and stakeholders. Using a participating woodlands operation in northern Alberta as a test case, we examined how SFM criteria are applied in the FORESTCARE program, and whether measurable progress is evident. We also compared the FORESTCARE audit process with corporate and government audits performed in the same year. The test case revealed specific, measurable changes in management that represent actual or potential progress toward SFM. However, the improvements could not be directly attributed to the FORESTCARE Program. Recommendations are provided for strengthening FORESTCARE processes and practices. Key words: Alberta forestry, ecosystem management, FORESTCARE, forest certification, forest planning, public participation, sustainable forest management


2005 ◽  
Vol 81 (5) ◽  
pp. 653-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greg A McKinnon ◽  
Shelley L Webber

Key words: forests, climate change, vulnerability, adaptation, sustainable forest management


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2670 ◽  
Author(s):  
James Chamberlain ◽  
Christine Small ◽  
Michelle Baumflek

Many of the plants and fungi that are harvested for nontimber products (e.g., foods, medicines, crafts) are critical to healthy forest ecosystems. These products also are essential to rural societies, contributing to the material and nonmaterial composition of communities and cultures. Product sales make important contributions at all economic scales, from household to national economies. Nontimber forest products (NTFPs) have been harvested for generations, sometimes centuries, yet they are seldom integrated into forest management. Few methods exist for inventory and assessment, and there is little evidence that harvests are sustainable. This article examines three elements of sustainable forest management for nontimber products: sociocultural, economic, and ecological, and elaborates with detailed examples of edible and medicinal species from United States (U.S.) forests. We synthesize the state of knowledge and emerging issues, and identify research priorities that are needed to advance sustainable management of NTFPs in the United States. Despite their social, economic, and ecological values, many of these species and resources are threatened by the overuse and lack of management and market integration. Sustainable management for nontimber products is attainable, but much research and development is needed to ensure the long-term sustainability of these resources and their cultural values, and to realize their economic potentials.


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