Development of forest common function and long term contract of silvicultural treatment

Abstract

Forest zoning system are expected to propose a new scheme of regional forest management. Applicability of GIS techniques for such new scheme was discussed based on the forest information system introduced in Mie Prefecture. The zoning system is based on the two categories of forest type, i.e. production forest and environmental forest. For environmental forest, a new thinning and management design called "Forest Environment Creation Project" was introduced. This project is conducted by full subsidy. The major two conditions are long term contract with certified forest association in 20 years and total area more than 30 ha. It is discussed that merit and demerit of this project from the view point of building target compartments more than 30 ha using GIS techniques as a case study in Misugi Village under the consideration of zoning types, number of forest owners, forest compartment area.