This paper proposes a simple model to use in mapping forest understory vegetation types. Cartographic modeling, with the aid of GIS (Geographic Information System) technologies, was used for this study. Understory vegetation maps were produced by GIS-based prediction, and the result was applied to the analysis of the Japanese serow (Caricornis crispus) protection area in the upper Miya River Basin, Mie Prefecture, Japan. We used a simple boolean logic known as crosstab with a raster-based GIS. Our procedure and approach were focused on verification and effective use of what resource managers already know. The existing information on forest ecosystems, which included soil moisture, bioclimate, and overstory vegetation types, was used to predict forest understory vegetation. The results of our study showed there were various forest understory stratum types (bamboos, ferns, shrubs, and lower tree layers) in the species' protection area, and these varieties were considered to be preferred diet sources for serows.

View full abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the stand dynamics of dipterocarp species in evergreen forest as a basis for devising suitable management systems for Cambodia's forests. The data for this study were obtained from a two-year UNDP-funded forest inventory project in Sandan district of Kampong Thom province. A sample of 18 clusters located in evergreen forest were analyzed. Based on the average stand volume per hectare, this evergreen forest was further divided into poor (less than 200m^3), medium (200-300m^3) and rich (greater than 300m^3) forests. Dipterocarps contributed 50m^3 (36%), 109m^3 (43%) and 163m^3 (53%) in poor, medium and rich forests, respectively. The dominant dipterocarps species were CHBG (Dipterocarpus turbinatus), CRMS (Vatica astrotricha) and PHDK (Anisoptera glabra). To estimate the forest potential and allowable cut of dipterocarps stands, trees of DBH greater than 45cm were analyzed. Cambodia's silvicultural treatment prescribes that only 30% of stands are extracted on a selective felling cycle of 25-30 years. On the basis of this silvicultural treatment and management experience in Southeast Asia, the harvest potential of Cambodia's forest was estimated to vary from 20m^3/ha (6 trees) to 54m^3/ha (13 trees) ; approximately 65% of which was dipterocarps. These figures are more than double the current harvest rate of 10m^3/ha. However, applying such a new management system might cause forest degradation if there is no long-term political commitment to management and research from the government and parties involved. Permanent and regular research on stand dynamics and other influential factors are required to ensure the sustainability of forest resources. Forest management can no longer be concerned solely with timber production ; thus, harvesting and research in non-timber forest products should also be included in the management plan.

View full abstract

Watershed management is important in Nepal to stabilize the physical environment and to improve the livelihood of watershed residents. Recently, people's participation has been a fundamental government policy in forest/watershed conservation. Although participation of all the stakeholders is necessary for the success of the program, their participation largely depends upon the extent of the reflection of their needs in watershed management activities. With caste-related discrimination still prevalent in Nepal, this paper attempted to identify the caste differences as reflected in their socioeconomic condition. The findings revealed that there are wide gaps between the caste/ethnic groups regarding their socioeconomic condition. The gap is particularly wide between the higher caste/ethnic group and the lower castes. Radar chart analysis showed that the local people are more concerned with socioeconomic problems compared to the natural resource aspects. Regression analysis showed that shortage of cereals is the biggest positive predictor variable of the concern for food availability. The proportion of illiterate households and livestock population are the other predictor variables. On the other hand, the amount of paddy produced, walking distance to piped water in the wet season, and walking distance to fuelwood forest are the negatively related predictor variables of the concern for food availability. Total area of Bariland (rainfed farmland) is the most important negative predictor variable for concern for fuelwood availability, followed by the area of Khetland (irrigated farmland). Walking distance to fuelwood forest, production of maize and membership in community forest are the positive predictor variables. The differences in socioeconomic conditions have deep implications for the participatory approach, as conflict of interest may arise between the groups with different socioeconomic backgrounds. It is recommended that such differences in watershed management planning be addressed so as to gain broader participation from all the stakeholders.

View full abstract

International tropical timber trade demonstrated a turning point in the 1990's. Some of the southeast Asian countries such as Philippines and Thailand turned into importers of round-wood, after being big exporters up till 1994. This change reflects the presence of many logging companies of those Asian countries in the Brazilian Amazon in the late 1990's. In this paper, Amazonian timber production and the forest situation of Legal Amazonia (the nine Brazilian states of Amazonia) were studied based on a field-study carried out in August 1997. During the study, it was confirmed that, due to depletion of round-wood resources, international loggers were advancing further into the Amazonian rainforests. To promote the conservation of the Amazonian ecosystem, the Brazilian government has established a zoning strategy in Legal Amazonia, clearly dividing conservation areas and farming areas since 1990. For better understanding of the land-uses in that region, the zoning strategy was examined in the field, mainly in the Amazonas State and in Rondonia State, in August 1997. Also, ITTO's 1997 statistical data on tropical timber trade and Zachow's 1998 data on forest management were analyzed. As a result, it was found that most of that region has no proper control on the forests yet. In Rondonia, depletion of rainforest was observed along the BR-364 highway and adjacent roads, due to lack of infrastructure (supply of electricity and fuel gas). This fact accelerated the forest burning beyond the authorized rate of 20% for each settlers' land, which vary from 100ha to 25ha, depending on their settlement year. In heavily logged stands in Rondonia and Amazonas, there was a luxuriant growth of liana and palm trees, replacing the original (shade-tolerant) species. This kind of alteration clearly shows the induced anthropogenic change in the climax forest. Out of 3,648,000km^2 of Amazonian rainforest, only 26km^2 is under sustainable management treatment. Local people should be assisted more intensively by the government, to plan and implement the sustainable management of the forests. Zoning strategies should be clearly defined all over the region to avoid depletion of the virgin forest and to promote good use of the abandoned lands after burning.

View full abstract