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Reduced-impact logging (RIL) has been recognized as a promising strategy for biodiversity conservation and carbon sequestration within sustainable forest management (SFM) areas. However, monitoring the forest understory—a critical area for assessing logging impacts—remains challenging due to limitations in conventional methods such as field inventories and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) surveys, which are time-consuming, costly, and often lack accuracy in complex environments. Additionally, aerial and satellite imagery frequently underestimate the full extent of disturbances as the forest canopy obscures understory impacts. This study examines the effectiveness of the relative density model (RDM), derived from airborne LiDAR data, for mapping and monitoring understory disturbances. A field-based validation of LiDAR-derived RDM was conducted across 25 sites, totaling 5504.5 hectares within the Jamari National Forest, Rondônia, Brazil. The results indicate that the RDM accurately delineates disturbances caused by logging infrastructure, with over 90% agreement with GNSS field data. However, the model showed the greatest discrepancy for skid trails, which, despite their lower accuracy in modeling, accounted for the largest proportion of the total impacted area among infrastructure. The findings include the mapping of 35.1 km of primary roads, 117.4 km of secondary roads, 595.6 km of skid trails, and 323 log landings, with skid trails comprising the largest proportion of area occupied by logging infrastructure. It is recommended that airborne LiDAR assessments be conducted up to two years post-logging, as impacts become less detectable over time. This study highlights LiDAR data as a reliable alternative to traditional monitoring approaches, with the ability to detect understory impacts more comprehensively for monitoring selective logging in SFM areas of the Amazon, providing a valuable tool for both conservation and climate mitigation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China's implementation of the Comprehensive Commercial Logging Ban in All Natural Forests is deemed as disrupting the stability of both Chinese and international timber markets and has raised widespread concerns about deforestation leakage on a global scale. Clarifying the impact of the logging ban on the Chinese and international timber markets is essential for formulating effective policies and taking collaborative actions to improve the stability of both timber markets and promote the sustainable development of global forest resources. This study examines the causal effects of the logging ban on Chinese and international timber markets by conducting a counterfactual analysis of Chinese domestic and imported timber prices with the synthetic control method. Unlike most previous studies that revealed significant price increases in both markets as a result of the logging ban, our results show that there are no significant causal effects between the logging ban and the price changes in Chinese and international timber markets. As China made extensive efforts in plantation cultivation and harvesting and substantially improved its domestic timber supply capacity, the logging ban has only produced a limited impact on the Chinese domestic timber market and has not disrupted the international timber market through trade. Therefore, China's logging ban policy has not protected its own forest resources at the expense of deforestation in other countries, and it has provided a practical reference for the formulation of forest protection policies and sustainable forest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an era where global biodiversity hotspots are under unprecedented threat, understanding the intricate balance between land use land cover (LULC) changes and their implications on ecosystem services value (ESV) becomes paramount. The region of Jammu and Kashmir, with its distinctive ecological importance, is well known for these challenges and opportunities. This region embodies various conservation reserves and national parks, and one of the most ecologically rich is called Kishtwar High Altitude National Park. It is often considered an example of biodiversity richness in the Indian subcontinent, as it protects a myriad of species and provides essential ecosystem services. However, despite its significance, it faces pressures from both peripheral human activities, such as seasonal grazing by nomadic communities and broader climatic changes. This study aims to investigate the complex relationship between these LULC shifts and their consequent effects on the park's ESV. We used the cellular automata (CA)–Markov model to simulate the LULC for the future. Using the LULC from 1992 to 2020 and projecting for 2030, 2040, and 2050, we employed the global value coefficient method to understand the ESV contributions of different LULC types. Our results revealed a 7.43% increase in ESV from 1992 to 2020, largely due to the increase of forests and waterbodies. In contrast, our projections for 2020 to 2050 intimate a 7.55% decline in ESV, even amidst anticipated grassland expansion. These results highlight the role of forests in securing resilient ecosystem services. These findings shall help offer informed conservation strategies, that are relevant both regionally and globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last fifty years, management plans have become more descriptive with regard to the potential sustainability of forest systems, raising questions about the feasibility of implementing management activities and ensuring the sustainability of a wide variety of ecosystem services. To assess this issue, we conducted a survey among forest planning and operation research communities in the United States to understand their perceptions regarding the potential of a sample of sustainability statements currently used in national forest plans to be incorporated into optimization models or other mathematical operations. A total of 65 people responded to the survey, resulting in a response rate of 16.5%. Almost 70% of the respondents reported having over 30 years in their specified fields. The results revealed that only 3 out of 15 statements from the sample were deemed to have relatively mature or firm methodologies and data to enable inclusion in modern mathematical models for land use optimization. Of the three statements, two were related to economic sustainability, offering quantifiable information such as a non-declining flow of wood products over time and limits on the amount of timber harvested per decade. In contrast, sociocultural and, to some extent, ecological statements regarding sustainability were generally perceived to be more difficult to translate into mathematical modeling efforts. Particularly challenging were statements corresponding to sustaining natural or scenic characteristics of a forest. These findings may be attributed to various factors, including a lack of measurable indicators for sustainability and a potential lack of understanding about the modeling components and their interactions with planned management activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The government of Laos has made significant efforts to halt deforestation and promote forest conservation in the Northern Uplands of Laos. However, there is no comprehensive assessment of the initiatives and factors that influence youth involvement in forest resource conservation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify sustainable forest management practices and factors affecting youth behaviors related to forest conservation. Methodologically, our study was conducted in three districts, covering 15 villages, with 330 youths who were selected by systematic sampling to participate in structured interviews, statistically using multiple regressions to identify factors influencing sustainable forest management behaviors. The results indicated that conservation knowledge and recognition are associated with demographic and socioeconomic factors, especially education. Factors related to forest conservation recognition included the amount of information available, gender, monthly income, land ownership, and distance from the forest to home. Most households rely on forest products for their livelihoods. It is concluded that higher levels of education provide people with more job opportunities, which improves their job status and quality of life. Community members who received relevant information were more forward-thinking in their forest management behaviors and willing to contribute to related activities. The empirical evidence indicated that providing essential information to young people can help improve sustainable forest management behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests play a key role in the carbon cycle, acting as major carbon sinks and important carbon stores on Earth. This article examines how forest ecosystems perform photosynthesis, the process by which they capture carbon from the atmosphere and convert it into organic matter. Particular attention is paid to the various mechanisms of carbon assimilation, such as the transformation of carbon into biomass, roots and soil, as well as its long-term storage. One of the main factors influencing the efficiency of carbon absorption is the forest type. For example, tropical forests, due to their high biomass and species diversity, absorb significantly more carbon compared to temperate and boreal forests. The influence of climatic conditions, such as temperature and rainfall, on the process of photosynthesis and tree growth is also considered. Forest age also plays an important role: young forests accumulate carbon faster, while old forests can reach a state where carbon accumulation slows down. The article also highlights the importance of preserving and restoring forest ecosystems as a strategic approach to combating climate change. Increasing forest area and implementing sustainable forest management practices can significantly increase their capacity to absorb carbon, as well as improve other ecosystem services such as maintaining biodiversity and protecting soil from erosion. Importantly, forest destruction caused by logging and land tenure change releases significant amounts of carbon into the atmosphere, exacerbating the problem of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Logging is a dominant land-use activity across the tropics and a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. This study quantifies emissions from selective logging in a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified concession in Guyana that includes carbon in extracted logs, tree carbon left in the forest, and incidental tree mortality caused by felling and logging infrastructure. We also estimate carbon emissions from sawmilling of round logs. Emissions from harvested trees from stump to mill gate were 8.44 Mg CO2 m−3 (131.96 Mg CO2 ha−1). The main sources of emissions were from trees killed during felling (34%) and unextracted biomass of harvested trees (32%). On average, 15.5% of the harvested tree biomass and 43% of the log biomass was converted to sawn lumber (0.78 Mg CO2 m−3 of round log volume). We find similar levels of logging emissions in our study with those reported for non-FSC concessions in Guyana (8.54 Mg CO2 m−3) and Suriname (8.94 Mg CO2 m−3) but higher in two FSC-certified concessions in Suriname (6.65 Mg CO2 m−3). Adopting forest management practices that reduce residual stand mortality from felling and improved milling technology to reduce wood waste will help meet future demand for wood products and support climate mitigation goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A review of the science on net carbon dioxide emissions from continued harvesting or cessation of harvesting in Australian native forests was undertaken. Policy implications are discussed. Accurately estimating the long-term carbon (C) balance for forest harvesting regimes requires the use of a full life-cycle analysis (LCA) framework that includes changes in forest C stocks; the transport and processing of wood products; changes in C stocks in wood products in use and in landfill; and emissions avoided by using wood residues to replace fossil energy or by substituting wood products for more emissions-intensive construction materials. Assessing net changes in native forest C stocks requires consideration of patterns of C accumulation in biomass as forests age; forest C carrying capacity; C dynamics in soils; and the effects of wildfire on C stocks and dynamics. One Australian study has adopted a complete and accurate LCA approach. That study concluded that the harvesting of sustainably managed native forests and the subsequent use of forest biomass to produce harvested wood products or energy can make a positive contribution to mitigating national net C emissions. Other studies have overestimated the possible benefits of ceasing harvesting because they have either been incomplete, used inappropriate parameters to estimate components of the total C balance, or overestimated the rate of C gain in older forests and the ability of unharvested forests to store C for the long term. This has led to the incorrect conclusion that cessation of harvesting would provide lower long-term C emissions than sustainable management for wood production. A case study using C balance of Victorian 1939 regrowth mountain ash forest managed for sawlog and pulpwood production on a rotation of 75 years showed that Victorian Government statements that harvesting results in significantly increased C emissions are incorrect. Therefore, closing Victoria's native forest timber industry will have negative outcomes in terms of C emissions and climate. The management of C in native forests needs to be integrated at the landscape scale with management for other forest values and attributes. Changes to C stocks in Australian native forests are driven much more by extensive wildfire than by harvesting. Harvesting affects only a small proportion of the forested landscape, and the C in annual log harvests equates to only about 0.6% of Australia's total net anthropogenic greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions. Adding emissions of C from the decomposition or combustion of slash produced during harvest increases this figure to 0.8%. These C removals from the forest are offset by sequestration of C in new regrowth and are supplemented by benefits derived from the use of harvested wood. In contrast, in very bad fire seasons such as the 'Black Summer' of 2019/20, C emissions were about twice Australia's total annual anthropogenic GHG emissions and about 200 times greater than C removals in wood plus emissions from logging slash. When examined at the landscape scale, there is no evidence that harvesting leads to increased area burnt, fire severity or C emissions caused by wildfires. However, future wildfires in the large and contiguous areas of thick regrowth created after Black Summer poses a major threat to C stocks in all forests in the coming decades. Timber harvesting, providing it is well conducted in carefully selected parts of the landscape, can provide sustainable ongoing C benefits. A similar conclusion has been reached in numerous international studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest ecosystems are increasingly facing challenges related to overexploitation and climate and land-use change, thereby posing a threat to the myriad benefits they provide. Forest management is the only tool for ensuring that adaptation, mitigation, and biodiversity conservation in forest ecosystems are maintained and further enhanced over time. However, forest managers might not have clear guidance on how to ensure these goals are achieved through their practices, which is why a goal-driven management framework is proposed and discussed in this study. The proposed framework provides an overview of the possible effects of alternative forest management practices on climate services, biodiversity conservation, and wood extraction and production. Based on this framework, the following "should-haves" for forest management towards achieving multiple goals are outlined: consideration of the trade-offs between biodiversity and other benefits; the need to reflect on time and space variability; and incorporation of climate sensitivity. The suggested actions are as follows: improve the monitoring framework; implement more robust modeling tools; and further consider policy trajectories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing demand for large-scale, high-frequency environmental monitoring has driven the adoption of satellite-based technologies for effective forest management, especially in the context of climate change. This study explores the potential of SAR for estimating the mass of harvesting residues, a significant component of forest ecosystems that impacts nutrient cycling, fire risk, and bioenergy production. The research hypothesizes that while the spatial distribution of residues remains stable, changes in moisture content—reflected in variations in the dielectric properties of the woody material—can be detected by SAR techniques. Two models, the generalized linear model (GLM) and random forest (RF) model, were used to predict the mass of residues using interferometric variables (phase, amplitude, and coherence) as well as the backscatter signal from several acquisition pairs. The models provided encouraging results (R2 of 0.48 for GLM and 0.13 for RF), with an acceptable bias and RMSE. It was concluded that it is possible to derive useful indications about the mass of harvesting residues from SAR data and the findings could lead to the improved monitoring and management of forest residues, contributing to sustainable forestry practices and the enhanced utilization of bioenergy resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring the sustainability of forests is among the priority measures to be taken against the decline in biodiversity, which is among the world's increasingly common concerns. This study investigated whether sustainable forest management processes are considering wildlife conservation objectives. Ten forest management processes were categorized and then analyzed for whether wildlife conservation is adequately considered. The wildlife data were grouped into four categories, with the most common being the protection of biodiversity and wildlife trade. The satisfaction level obtained according to the scoring method used was determined as the criterion of success in wildlife conservation. According to the scoring method applied, the overall success was found to be 50%. It was determined that a standard should be developed regarding the economic value of wildlife fauna and flora species and that this issue should be included in sustainable forest management strategies. Only 20 of 116 total sustainable forest management criteria considered wildlife. The African Timber Organization process, which has the most member countries, was identified as the process with the lowest number of wildlife criteria, at 2%, while the International Tropical Timber Organization process was found to have the most wildlife protection criteria at 20%. The conservation success rates for the two processes of which Türkiye is a member were also found to be quite low. It is concluded that there is a need to strengthen the place of wildlife, one of the most important living components for forests, in SFM processes both for Türkiye and internationally. The results obtained were evaluated both in terms of international criteria and practices in Türkiye. It is also recommended that future international meetings include wildlife health and diversity as a separate criterion when determining sustainable methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To apply the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to solve forest management problems, it is necessary to determine when the use of this method is appropriate and when another method would be more appropriate due to the limitations of the method itself. In this study, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) and meta-SWOT analyses were conducted to assess the applicability of the AHP method to sustainable forest management problems. Sixteen experts from 11 different European countries participated in the research. First, they evaluated the AHP method from the SWOT perspective and weighted the SWOT factors and groups using the AHP method. The results showed that the AHP method is more suitable for application in sustainable forest management than other multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) methods with respect to two competitive dimensions: design and calculation. However, the application of the AHP in sustainable forest management also has some weaknesses and threats that should be considered. Involving stakeholders with expertise and skills in model development and pairwise comparisons is the most important issue in this area; otherwise, incorrect results could be obtained for forest management decisions. Problem-solving conditions such as uncertainty, the interactions among criteria and the economic constraints of the problem may also lead to the use of other methods instead of the AHP in sustainable forest management. The results of this study contribute to global studies on decision-making in natural resource and environmental management, especially decisions related to forest management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three options for coppice management in Iran were developed. These management options include Traditional Coppicing (TC), modification of TC, and extreme conservation to convert them into high forest. Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used for modeling to select the optimal solution for managing these forests. Six different scenarios were simulated in which the importance of the criteria in decision-making process changed. The results show that each of the three management options has its own importance, which depends on the conditions of the region and the different importance of the decision criteria. Therefore, the selection of the management scenario for future forest planning depends on prioritizing the criteria from the perspective of the managers and stakeholders and is dependent on social, economic and ecological conditions in each management unit. The results of this study show that it is not possible to rely solely on the results of the AHP method for forest management decisions, as AHP model does not include constraints. In this context, reverse engineering can be very helpful in the final conclusion of the decision. The results of this study can make a valuable contribution to the global literature and support decision-making, especially in scenarios where stakeholder participation may be limited and modeling stakeholder behavior is essential to the decision-making process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests are complex ecosystems that require integrated management to balance economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Conflicting objectives among stakeholders make optimal decision-making particularly challenging. This study seeks to balance the economic gains of forest harvesting with the goals of environmental conservation, with a focus on the Shafarood forest in Northern Iran. We applied multi-objective optimization and game theory to maximize the net present value (NPV) of forest harvesting while enhancing carbon sequestration. The research utilized data on stumpage prices, harvesting costs, tree density, volume per ha, growth rates, interest rates, carbon sequestration, and labour costs. Applying the epsilon-constraint method, we derived Pareto optimal solutions for a bi-objective model, and game theory was applied to negotiate between economic and environmental stakeholders. In the fifth round of bargaining, a Nash equilibrium was achieved between the two players. At this equilibrium point, the economic player achieved NPV from forest harvesting of 9001.884 (IRR 10,000/ha) and amount of carbon sequestration of 159.9383 tons/ha. Meanwhile, the environmental player achieved NPV from forest harvesting of 7861.248 (IRR 10,000/ha), along with a carbon sequestration of 159.9731 tons/ha. Results indicate significant trade-offs but reveal potential gains for both economic and environmental goals. These findings provide a robust framework for sustainable forest management and offer practical tools to support informed decision-making for diverse stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the largest terrestrial ecosystem covering extensive expanses of the Earth's surface, forests offer crucial health benefits to humans, both directly and indirectly. Presently, health services derived from forest resources have presented significant opportunities for enhancing human well-being. Nonetheless, the absence of a comprehensive understanding regarding the mechanisms by which forests impact human health jeopardizes the potential gains in health. Regrettably, there remains a dearth of scholarly work elucidating these pathways. This paper aims to furnish a thorough examination of how forests influence human health. We initiate by formulating a conceptual framework upon which we delineate the various pathways through which forests impact human health. These encompass the provisioning of resources, preventive services, and forest therapies. Concurrently, we outline the moderating influence of social, economic, and individual characteristics as mediators within this pathway. These characteristics are classified into two overarching dimensions: accessibility and behavioral choices, which notably affect marginalized demographics such as those with lower socioeconomic status, women, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and children in developing nations. Consequently, we build upon these foundational insights to propose six strategies aimed at perpetuating the positive impact of forests on human health in the foreseeable future. In the future, the development of forest management policies, the assessment of long-term health benefits, social practices, and international cooperation must be considered holistically to attain the dual objective of sustainable forest management and the advancement of human well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficiently quantifying stand density is crucial in sustainably managing mid-rotation loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations. While various stand density measures, including basal area (BA), stand density index (SDI), relative spacing (RS), and live crown length ratio (CR), are used, ambiguity persists among these measures: are they each biologically sound and are they on par with each other in terms of density management? These topics were investigated by examining the relationships between measures and stand age, between measures and tree growth, and between measures using data from numerous long-term permanent plots established in loblolly pine plantations in east Texas. A strong trend of increasing density with age was found for all the measures. The trend followed an asymptotic trajectory when density was expressed as BA, SDI, or RS, adhering to biological expectations, but the trend showed a gradual decrease for CR. Strong and biologically sound relationships between DBH periodic annual increment ( P A I D ) and BA or SDI were observed, suggesting that both measures match true DBH growth. However, P A I D linearly decreased with decreasing RS and with decreasing CR in a smooth curve, biasing from the biological expectation. Strong relationships existed between the measures, suggesting that these seemingly disparate measures are not independent of each other. Site index affected all investigated relationships in a manner of having higher densities at a given age or a greater P A I D at a given density for higher site index sites regardless of measures. The effects of initial planting density on the relationships were mostly negligible, having no practical significance, with few exceptions (the relationships of SDI–age, RS–age, and CR–RS). Among the measures evaluated, our results advocate for the use of B A to regulate mid-rotation loblolly pine plantation density such as determining the approximate biological timing for thinning in the Western Gulf region due to its biological soundness, ease of measurement, and feasibility of incorporating effects of site quality and planting density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Over the last fifty years, management plans have become more descriptive with regard to the potential sustainability of forest systems, raising questions about the feasibility of implementing management activities and ensuring the sustainability of a wide variety of ecosystem services. To assess this issue, we conducted a survey among forest planning and operation research communities in the United States to understand their perceptions regarding the potential of a sample of sustainability statements currently used in national forest plans to be incorporated into optimization models or other mathematical operations. A total of 65 people responded to the survey, resulting in a response rate of 16.5%. Almost 70% of the respondents reported having over 30 years in their specified fields. The results revealed that only 3 out of 15 statements from the sample were deemed to have relatively mature or firm methodologies and data to enable inclusion in modern mathematical models for land use optimization. Of the three statements, two were related to economic sustainability, offering quantifiable information such as a non-declining flow of wood products over time and limits on the amount of timber harvested per decade. In contrast, sociocultural and, to some extent, ecological statements regarding sustainability were generally perceived to be more difficult to translate into mathematical modeling efforts. Particularly challenging were statements corresponding to sustaining natural or scenic characteristics of a forest. These findings may be attributed to various factors, including a lack of measurable indicators for sustainability and a potential lack of understanding about the modeling components and their interactions with planned management activities.

The increasing demand for large-scale, high-frequency environmental monitoring has driven the adoption of satellite-based technologies for effective forest management, especially in the context of climate change. This study explores the potential of SAR for estimating the mass of harvesting residues, a significant component of forest ecosystems that impacts nutrient cycling, fire risk, and bioenergy production. The research hypothesizes that while the spatial distribution of residues remains stable, changes in moisture content—reflected in variations in the dielectric properties of the woody material—can be detected by SAR techniques. Two models, the generalized linear model (GLM) and random forest (RF) model, were used to predict the mass of residues using interferometric variables (phase, amplitude, and coherence) as well as the backscatter signal from several acquisition pairs. The models provided encouraging results (R2 of 0.48 for GLM and 0.13 for RF), with an acceptable bias and RMSE. It was concluded that it is possible to derive useful indications about the mass of harvesting residues from SAR data and the findings could lead to the improved monitoring and management of forest residues, contributing to sustainable forestry practices and the enhanced utilization of bioenergy resources.

Abstract Despite the wide application of riparian buffers in the managed boreal forest, their long-term effectiveness as freshwater protection tools remains unknown. Here, we evaluate windthrow incidence in riparian buffers in the eastern Canadian boreal forest and determine the effect of windthrow on the water quality index of the adjacent freshwater ecosystems. We studied 40 sites—20 riparian buffers, aged 10 to 20 years after harvesting and 20 control sites within intact riparian environments—distributed among clay and sandy (esker) soils and black spruce (Picea mariana) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana) stands. We observed more windthrow in the harvested stands (36%) relative to the control sites (16%), regardless of substrate and species. We determined that the most important factors explaining windthrow were exposition, harvesting, aquatic environment size, and stand characteristics. These factors drive wind exposure, speed, and force, which determine post-harvest windthrow risk. Furthermore, windthrow negatively affected the water quality index of the adjacent aquatic systems, i.e., greater windthrow decreased the protective effect of the riparian buffer. We recommend increasing the use of partial harvest near riparian environments and adapting riparian buffers to site conditions to ensure the long-term protection of adjacent freshwater ecosystems.

Forests are vital for sustainable development and provide ecosystem services. The "Adopt a forest" initiative is proposed to tackle deforestation and forest management challenges. This study sought to analyze the implementation of forest adoption in Kenya, seeking to improve understanding and promote it as a solution for sustainable forest management by enhancing interagency collaboration. The study assessed the effects of the adopt-a-forest initiative from 2019 to 2021, focusing on its role in promoting interagency collaboration and its socio-economic and environmental benefits in Kenya. A case study research design and literature review using document-content analysis were used to evaluate secondary data obtained from online sources of government bodies, NGOs, and private sector organizations involved in forest restoration across counties. Case results from Kenya demonstrate that forest adoption encourages interagency collaboration, with 49 agencies collectively adopting 18,386 hectares of public forests and nurturing 742,235 tree seedlings. The initiative has mobilized Kshs. 36,862,788 for restoration. However, uneven collaboration distribution raises concerns about exacerbating regional development disparities and negative equity outcomes. The study enhances understanding of the adopt-a-forest initiative's impact on interagency collaboration for forest restoration. It identifies socio-economic and environmental benefits, challenges of uneven distribution, informing policy enhancements and advocating for ongoing monitoring. The study's findings impact forest management policies globally. The adopt-a-forest initiative promotes collaboration and resource mobilization for restoration, addressing deforestation and enhancing ecosystem services. Addressing collaboration disparities is crucial for equitable development, requiring ongoing policy monitoring and refinement. Plain Language Summary: Teamwork for Trees: Collaborating to Protect Kenya's Forests Our study looked at how different groups in Kenya are working together to protect forests. We focused on a program called 'Adopt a Forest' that started in 2019. We found that many organizations have joined in, taking care of parts of the forest and growing lots of new trees. They've raised an appreciable amount of money for this too. But we also saw that some areas are getting more help than others, which might not be fair. Our research helps understand how this program is making a difference and suggests ways to make it even better. By working together, we can protect our forests and make sure everyone benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work is to establish the optimal intensity of interventions in young beech stands. The study was carried out in the north-western part of Romania, in Zalău Forest District, Răstolţ Production Unit. Statistical-mathematical inventories were carried out on circular sample plots of 300 m2, adopting a coverage probability of p = 90% and a tolerance of t = 10%. The number of sample plots was established according to the area of the stand S(ha), volume variation coefficient sv(%), p(%) and t(%). The optimal intensity of interventions is determined by using the average diameter of crowns on each stand. The average diameter of crown was determined for the stands under study based on a spline regression mathematical model which represents the main objective of the current study. The stands, wherein no forest interventions have been applied, have a relatively high stocking and a relatively small spacing. Consequently, the intensity of selective combined thinning must be weak to moderate, and the periodicity shorter of 4-5 years. Another objective of the present paper is the determination of the allometric relationships between the diameter of the crowns and the heights of trees, in three young beech stands with or without any forest interventions, specific to the stage of development. From the analysis of experimental data, it turned out that the most suitable law of dependence is the linear regression, with a positive slope, representing the allometric relationship between the diameter of the crowns and the height of trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing forests to sustain their diversity and functioning is a major challenge in a changing world. Despite the key role of understory vegetation in driving forest biodiversity, regeneration and functioning, few studies address the functional dimensions of understory vegetation response to silvicultural management.We assessed the influence of the silvicultural regimes on the functional diversity and redundancy of European forest understory. We gathered vascular plant abundance data from more than 2000 plots in European forests, each associated with one out of the five most widespread silvicultural regimes. We used generalized linear mixed models to assess the effect of different silvicultural regimes on understory functional diversity (Rao's quadratic entropy) and functional redundancy, while accounting for climate and soil conditions, and explored the reciprocal relationship between three diversity components (functional diversity, redundancy and dominance) across silvicultural regimes through a ternary diversity diagram.Intensive silvicultural regimes are associated with a decrease in functional diversity and an increase in functional redundancy, compared with unmanaged conditions. This means that although intensive management may buffer communities' functions against species or functional losses, it also limits the range of understory response to environmental changes.Policy implications. Different silvicultural regimes influence different facets of understory functional features. While unmanaged forests can be used as a reference to design silvicultural practices in compliance with biodiversity conservation targets, different silvicultural options should be balanced at landscape scale to sustain the multiple forest functions that human societies are increasingly demanding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oak decline is a major concern in Iran. A literature search with the terms 'Iran' AND 'oak' OR 'Quercus' from 1963 through 2023 resulted in 635 articles with over 200 dealing specifically with oak decline. In Iran, oak decline is most severe in the Zagros forests, followed by the Arasbaran and Hyrcanian forests. Of Iran's 11 native oak species, Quercus brantii is the most affected. Several factors have been identified as contributing to oak decline in Iran. Some economic and social factors include high rural unemployment, livestock overgrazing and uncontrolled cutting of live tree branches with the wood used for firewood and foliage used as food for farm animals. These pruning wounds can serve as entry points for pathogens and attract insects. Important abiotic factors included extended drought, increasing air temperature and wind speed, and increased levels of airborne dust and heavy metals. Important pathogens identified in the early 2000s included Armillaria mellea and charcoal rot fungus (Biscogniauxia mediterranea). More recently, many other fungal pathogens (e.g., Discula quercina, Neoscytalidium dimidiatum, Obolarina persica, Paecilomyces formosus and Phaeoacremonium tuscanicum) and bacterial pathogens (e.g., Bacillus pumilus, Brenneria goodwinii, Gibbsiella quercinecans, Rahnella victoriana and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia) were found in association with declining oaks. Among the insects, severe oak defoliation has resulted from various Lepidoptera in the families Erebidae, Geometridae and Tortricidae. Similarly, several bark‐ and wood‐boring beetles in the families Buprestidae and Cerambycidae were reported from declining oaks, with the buprestid Agrilus hastulifer being one of the most common. It is hoped that this review will improve our understanding of the many factors involved in oak decline in Iran and promote the development of management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted in tropical and sub-tropical forests of Mizoram, Northeast India. A total of 49 species belonging to 40 genera and 26 families were recorded in the tropical forest (TF). Whereas, in the subtropical forest (STF), 47 species belonging to 42 genera and 28 families were recorded. As per Importance Value Index (IVI), the most dominant species in TF were: Castanopsis tribuloides (47.67), Schima wallichii (40.71), Aporosa octandra (20.96) and Wendlandia budleioides (17.79). Whereas, the species such as Ilex godajam (41.42), Saprosma ternatum (32.74) and Diospyros racemosa (31.34) were the most dominant species in STF. The total tree density and basal area were 1610 individuals ha-1 and 25.016 m2 ha-1 in TF and 1380 individuals ha-1 and 24.20 m2 ha-1 respectively in STF. The diversity indices such as Shannon's diversity index (H'), Simpson's dominance index (CD), Margalef richness index (d), and Pielou's evenness index (J) ranged from 2.93-3.16, 0.91-0.94, 7.82-8.15, 0.76-0.81 in both the forests. The total tree biomass was 178 Mg ha-1 in TF and 144 Mg ha-1 in STF. Similarly, the total carbon stock in TF was 85 Mg C ha-1 and 68 Mg C ha-1 in STF. Such information on these forests can serve as a valuable tool for improving our capacity to enhance biodiversity conservation efforts and management of tropical forests for their sustainable use in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests are crucial in sustaining life on Earth and are at the core of global sustainability efforts, to which Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification makes a significant contribution. Changes in motivations, benefits, and challenges associated with FSC certification among Croatian companies, particularly in light of recent market fluctuations and global sustainability trends, have been examined in this study. The research was conducted in 2015 and 2023 using a survey method among FSC chain of custody (CoC) certificate holders in Croatia. A statistically significant decline in the proportion of companies citing customer demands and company image as the main reasons for FSC certification was observed, while environmental awareness became a more prominent motivation. Additionally, although key benefits such as retaining existing customers and attracting new ones remain important, a significant decline in the proportion of companies reporting increased profits as a benefit was noted. Challenges related to extensive documentation and frequent changes in standards also significantly increased. This study suggests that FSC certification remains crucial for maintaining competitiveness in the Croatian wood industry, especially as environmental concerns gain importance. Given that FSC standards help enforce European sustainability regulations, FSC certification is important for ensuring long-term resilience and success in an unstable market environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active management is often mentioned but rarely defined in current policies and strategies for native forests of temperate Australia. Lack of clarity about active management could mean that policies to support forest health and human involvement with forests are not fit for purpose. In this paper, we summarise the policy context for active management in Victoria (as a case study for temperate Australia) and review representations of active management in the broader temperate-forest literature, including its place in relation to associated concepts like adaptive management. Based on the review, we provide a definition of active management that focuses on human activities in forests – deliberate practices for diverse purposes and goals – situated within broader operational approaches (e.g. adaptive management frameworks) that enact the overarching philosophy and paradigm(s) of forest management. Our definition acknowledges multiple potential framings of active management that encompass diverse philosophies and sociocultural relationships with forests and require governance structures that foster inclusive understandings. Additional considerations for implementing active management in Australia's temperate forests include refreshed visions for forest management, clearly stated goals for active management, criteria for choosing among practices under uncertainty, revised operational guidelines for diverse practices, and commitment to building the evidence base for active management through iterative learning and targeted experiments within an adaptive management or analogous framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forests and related environmental assets are crucial for fostering environmental and socioeconomic development. Different forest management paradigms, such as sustainable forest management, ecosystem-based forest management, adaptive management, multiple-use forest management, and restoration ecology, have influenced the policy formulation of different countries at different times. However, while implementing forestry development reforms, few documented studies have explored the changing forest management paradigms and their implications on the sustainability of forests and societies in many developing countries. A case study design and literature review using document-content analysis was used to evaluate secondary data obtained from online sources. This paper aims to explore the changes in forest management paradigms in Kenya from 1968 to the present to contribute to a better understanding of the strategies needed to achieve sustainable forest management in the future. Results show that Kenya has implemented three formal forestry policies since independence in 1963. These include Sessional Paper No. 01 of 1968, Forest Policy of 2005, and the National Forest Policy of 2014. The evolving forest management paradigm reflects a progression from Sessional Paper No. 01 of 1968 to subsequent forest policies in 2005 and 2014. The 2005 and 2014 forest policies emphasize holistic ecosystem management and ecosystem services and integrate a human rights-based approach to community involvement. Moreover, all three forest policies have had positive and negative implications for Kenyan society. The Forest Policy and the National Forest Policy demonstrated more positive environmental and socioeconomic outcomes, such as increased forest cover, biodiversity conservation, community empowerment, poverty alleviation, and improved transparency compared to the Sessional Paper No. 01 of 1968. Unfortunately, some negative consequences include conflicting stakeholder interests, elite capture, and slow decision-making. Based on these findings, there is a need for policy impact assessment, addressing the adverse effects of policy, and long-term monitoring for sustainable future forest policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of a monitoring system for the socio-economic indicators of private forest owners includes the comprehensive collection of various socio-economic data. These data encompass general information about private forests owners, the need for monitoring, periodicity, and other relevant factors. This holistic approach allows for a detailed assessment of the social and economic conditions of private forest owners, as well as the economic efficiency of their operations, ultimately aiming to achieve sustainable forest management. This research builds upon previous studies by the authors that investigated the need for monitoring of the socio-economic indicators of private forests and involved interviews with forest experts. Based on the data obtained from these earlier efforts, this study aims to present a refined methodology for monitoring of the socio-economic indicators of Lithuanian private forest owners. Based on the findings of this research, it is highly recommended that monitoring be implemented at the state level across the entire territory of the Republic of Lithuania. The results of this research show that the monitoring of the economic and social indicators of private forest owners benefits not only the owners but also the state and society as a whole. Residence size, property size, and association membership emerged as the most significant factors influencing the need for forest monitoring, while knowledge in forestry, distance to the forest, and gender showed weaker but still notable effects. The research results suggest that monitoring can help to ensure the sustainable management of forests and the maintenance of ecosystem services, in addition to contributing to the region's economic development. It is recommended that this monitoring be conducted every five years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for plant functioning, photosynthesis, and metabolic activities. In terrestrial settings, nitrogen is not always sufficiently available because its basic form (N2) must be fixed into other forms, such as nitrate and ammonium, to be usable by plants. Adding nitrogenous fertilizer to soils may provide a means of increasing forest productivity. Ammoniacal nitrogen (N-NH3), an effluent produced during gold extraction, requires mining companies to manage its long-distance and costly transportation offsite for disposal. Applying this nitrogenous effluent, in its treated form of ammonium sulfate (ammoniacal nitrogen from mine water was converted into ammonium sulfate locally), to regional forest stands could provide a cost-effective and more environmentally sound means of managing this waste product and enhance forest productivity. Here, we conducted greenhouse- and field-based experiments to evaluate ammonium sulfate fertilization on black spruce (Picea mariana) and jack pine (Pinus banksiana) seedling growth. We assigned five treatments, varying in terms of the fertilizer concentration and presence/absence of biochar, to seedlings in greenhouse trials. We also applied various concentrations of ammonium sulfate to an 8-year-old black spruce plantation in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Québec. We found that black spruce and jack pine seedlings experienced greater growth than the controls in terms of the stem diameter (32–44%), seedling height (21–49%), and biomass (86–154%). In the field experiment, we observed 37% greater volumetric growth in plots receiving medium-level fertilization than the control. Although nitrogen fertilization lowered the soil pH, essential nutrients increased to favor greater seedling growth. Thus, ammonium sulfate, derived from local mining effluent, appears to offer a suitable alternative for enriching nitrogen-limited boreal soils and increasing tree growth. This application could benefit both regional mining industries and forest management bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research aims to identify potential High Conservation Value Forests (HCVFs) in Moldova, seen as crucial for biodiversity and providing long-term benefits. Despite the fact that forests only cover 11% of the Moldova's territory, they account for more than 80% of the country's biological diversity and have social, economic, climate, hydrological, and erosion-control benefits. The methodology involved mainly developing identification criteria of these forests, according to the approach developed by FSC, and processing the existing cartographic data using GIS techniques. The findings reveal that almost one-half of Moldova's forests have potential for HCVFs: approximately 175,500 ha of forest land, accounting for 47.3% of the total forested area, were identified as potential HCVFs. Most of these forests are owned and managed by the state. An important outcome of this research is to contribute to the protection of valuable forest ecosystems and establish discussion platforms with stakeholders for their future conservation and long-term resource management. Forest managers, landscape planners, and beneficiaries of forest ecosystem services can use the findings to align management plans, prioritize conservation, and promote sustainable land use. Proper implementation of HCVF principles can attract donors and investors to support Moldova's forestry sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tree ontogeny is the genetic trajectories of regenerative processes in trees, repeating in time and space, including both development and reproduction. Understanding the principles of tree ontogeny is a key priority in emulating natural ecological patterns and processes that fall within the calls for closer-to-nature forest management. By recognizing and respecting the growth and development of individual trees and forest stands, forest managers can implement strategies that align with the inherent dynamics of forest ecosystem. Therefore, this study aims to determine the ontogenetic characteristics of tree regeneration and growth in northern European hemiboreal forests. Methodology: We applied a three-step process to review i) the ontogenetic characteristics of forest trees, ii) ontogenetic strategies of trees for stand-forming species, and iii) summarise the review findings of points i and ii to propose a conceptual framework for transitioning towards closer-to-nature management of hemiboreal forest trees. To achieve this, we applied the super-organism approach to forest development as a holistic progression towards the establishment of natural stand forming ecosystems. Results: The review showed multiple aspects; first, there are unique growth and development characteristics of individual trees at the pre-generative and generative stages of ontogenesis under full and minimal light conditions. Second, there are four main modes of tree establishment, growth and development related to the light requirements of trees; they were described as ontogenetic strategies of stand-forming tree species: gap colonisers, gap successors, gap fillers and gap competitors. Third, the summary of our analysis of the ontogenetic characteristics of tree regeneration and growth in northern European hemiboreal forests shows that stand-forming species occupy multiple niche positions relative to forest dynamics modes. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the importance of understanding tree ontogeny under the pretext of closer-to-nature forest management, and its potential towards formulating sustainable forest management that emulates the natural dynamics of forest structure. We suggest that scientists and foresters can adapt closer-to-nature management strategies, such as assisted natural regeneration of trees, to improve the vitality of tree communities and overall forest health. The presented approach prioritizes ecological integrity and forest resilience, promoting assisted natural regeneration, and fostering adaptability and connectivity among plant populations in hemiboreal tree communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aims to understand the variations in the domain‐specific pro‐sustainable‐forest‐management behavior (PSFMBs) and their explanatory factors across ecological, economic, recreational, and Aboriginal domains and between Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal groups. A hybrid model of PSFMB, which integrates environmental psychology and resource economics perspectives, is conceptualized and estimated using multi‐group path analysis and data from three Aboriginal and three non‐Aboriginal communities in Ontario, Canada. Results show that both groups make substantial pro‐SFM contributions, but the contributions and their influencing factors differ across domains and groups. For Aboriginals, environmental worldviews and assigned forest values are the only influencing factors, while for non‐Aboriginals, income and forest environmental conditions play dominant roles. The findings confirm the fundamental differences in the roles of beliefs, values, and situational factors in influencing the PSFMB of Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal groups, highlight the need for theoretical lenses that account for cultural differences, and contribute to the development of inclusive policies that respect the unique values of different social groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancement of mechanization in forestry has increased productivity in the forestry sector, bringing positive and negative impacts that require a deeper understanding for sustainable forest management. This study aimed to apply a simplified instrument for assessing damage and environmental impacts in forest harvesting of commercial eucalyptus plantations, using a combination of methodologies. The methodology used combined interaction networks and impact assessment matrices, carrying out field surveys, transposing them to interaction networks and weighting them through assessment matrices, resulting in environmental indices (ES) for prioritizing actions. The study was conducted on a commercial eucalyptus plantation in the municipality of São Pedro, São Paulo, Brazil. The mechanized harvesting of the area consists of the structure of a module with a mobile unit consisting of a harvester and forwarder. The results indicated that wood transport presented the highest ES, both positive and negative. The most significant negative impacts (ES) were the depletion of water resources and erosion, while the positive impacts included regional development and job creation. The most notable changes, positive and negative, were observed in the physical and anthropic environment, with a lesser impact on the biotic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The forestry sector is essential for achieving a transition towards sustainability because of the opportunities associated with the transformation of their management and practices. However, forest plantation management is characterised not only by ecological interactions but also by the complex dynamics that arise from the interaction of multiple actors, their knowledge and worldviews, and how actors can overcome barriers and lobby for their values and interests to be represented in policies and management. We illustrate this via a case study: the Basque Country in Spain. Drawing on 33 qualitative in-depth semistructured interviews conducted in 2022 and 2023 with a wide variety of forestry actors, we aim to a) identify who the potential actors are that can trigger a change toward sustainable forest management, b) explore actors’ interactions and knowledge interchange that can foster a transformation toward sustainable forest management, and c) understand the opportunities and barriers that the main actors face to achieve sustainable forest plantation management. Our results show that a) those who may have the ability to induce a change in the forestry sector of the Basque Country are landowners, rangers and private sector companies; b) mutual learning happens in the day-to-day practices of forest plantation management while academic knowledge does not reach policy and practice; and c) barriers are related to managerial, political and individual dimensions that impair the way towards “close to nature” management and a “circular bioeconomy”, such as a perceived lack of supporting policies and knowledge, as well as increasing land abandonment. Opportunities to pose a potential way forward are, among others, forest plantations of native species providing high-quality timber, and opening access to additional markets, such as the ones funding the diversity of contributions that forest plantations may bring to people. Collaboration to overcome barriers for small-scale forest plantation management and actions to promote a stronger feeling of attachment to natural forests and forest plantations are essential to achieve sustainable forest management in the Basque Country.

This study aims to estimate the adoption rate of genetically advanced loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) seedlings and better understand the factors influencing seedling choice among family forest landowners and consulting foresters in Georgia, a major forestry state in the Southern United States. We conducted two online surveys, one for landowners and one for registered foresters in Georgia. Our findings reveal that the adoption rate, self-reported knowledge, and positive perceptions of genetically advanced loblolly pine seedlings were high among respondents of both surveys. The adoption rate was 13.5 % of all managed forestlands by foresters (29.3 % for managed loblolly pine stands) and 18.0 % of all the forestlands (37.4 % of managed loblolly pine stands) owned by family forest landowners. Reasons for adopting among both groups included fast growth and favorable financial outcomes. However, barriers to adoption include cost, beliefs that other factors are equally or more important than the genetics of seedlings, and the need for more evidence. Furthermore, a high proportion of each group expressed an interest in adopting genetically advanced seedlings for increasing carbon revenue over time. Our findings suggest that more research about the related benefits is needed to increase the adoption of genetically advanced loblolly pine seedlings. We also found that communicating these benefits using trusted sources is also necessary. Our study will feed into the growing movement for using better genetics to improve forest productivity and reduce forest health issues in Georgia and beyond, especially on family forestlands, as they supply the majority of roundwood and other forest-based ecosystem services.

Forests provide a variety of ecosystem services that contribute in various ways to human well-being. In times of land-use pressures, urbanisation, and nature degradation, the societal demand for forest-based therapeutic uses is increasing. Although nature-related therapies and the beneficial effects of nature on health and well-being are an old concept in cultures such as Asia and, more recently, Europe, forest therapy offers are increasingly taking hold in the forest recreation landscape. This Commentary paper identifies recent forest therapy offers and research in Asia and Europe that focus on the therapeutic effects of forests and examine their underlying rationales, practices, and status. In particular, we elaborate the socioeconomic potential of forest therapy to contribute to human health and sustainable forest management. Based on a scoping review on forest therapy offers and research, we found that countries such as Japan and South Korea are ahead of European countries in the professionalization of forest therapy offers and respective studies. While the number of studies that demonstrate the positive health benefits of forests are increasing, there is a lack of understanding the link with forest management approaches and forest and health policies. A lack of socioeconomic evaluation hinders its successful integration into policy frameworks, and prevents its use as an alternative forestry product or preventive medical treatment. For forest therapy to become part of the forestry portfolio and a medical alternative, we recommend: • Interdisciplinary research approaches and new actor alliances that link societal demands for forest therapy with insights from forest management and medical health research, • Transdisciplinary research and multi-actor approaches to link insights from forest and medical research with practitioners’ skills for forest management, service design, and communication, • To identify trade-offs and conflict potentials with forest therapy, for example in relation to timber production or questions of insurance in case of injuries by falling branches etc., that allow to develop integrated and sustainable solutions, • Policy backup and economic support for forest managers and owners to compensate for their efforts to manage their forests for therapeutic purposes • Recognition of forest therapy as an explicit part of the forestry portfolio and an alternative medical offer for clinical treatments.

The sustainability of forests and forestland resources is essential in ensuring the long-term well-being of ecosystems, biodiversity, and human society. This study analyzed available data from triangulated sources that produced information about extent and locations of the current assets, threats, and opportunities that were analyzed using various statistical methods, image and spatial analysis, and situational analysis in order to develop and sustain applicable management, conservation, and protection strategies for forest and forestland (FFL) resources of Baler, Aurora. Results revealed that there were significant changes of FFL assets from 2003 to 2018, and the recent data showed that closed forest was still the dominant cover of the area along with other assets like biodiversity, tourism, water resources, and others. The decreasing trend of the forest cover was the result of expansion of cultivated lands that follows the occurrence of several threats both from natural and anthropogenic sources. The most severe among the anthropogenic threats is timber poaching followed by charcoal making, pole timber collection, and firewood gathering. These threats were driven by the number of dependents, home-to-threat distance, conveyances used, and income earned per activity. Social geomatics of the identified threats shows that the human activities had extended almost to the farthest portions of each sub-watersheds that affects opportunities for development and sustainable utilization of resources. Assets, threats, and opportunities were considered as inputs used in situational analysis of sub-watersheds of which prior-itization of use was decided and FFL management strategies were developed and proposed to be sustained in order to produce optimum ecological, socio-cultural, and economical benefits in the future.

Small-scale owners constitute an essential share of private forest ownership, and their decision-making significantly affects nature conservation and landscape formation. From economic and environmental viewpoints, forest owners' associations are one of the most effective ways to manage small-scale forest property. Using the example of the Czech Republic, this paper focuses on small-scale forest associations' potential in sustainable forest management. For the qualitative study, the authors interviewed small-scale owners to elicit how they perceived joint management through associations and what they considered their most significant benefits and values. The findings indicate that although small-scale owners realize the importance of associations for joint forest management, they are reluctant to join or form them. Their restraints mainly result from insufficient awareness. Improving the communication strategy amongst forest policy players with small-scale owners as stakeholders on the one side and state authorities on the other is vital. The positive approach could also be reached by inevitable changes in legislation and subsidy schemes because, as they are set now, they provide little opportunity for small-scale owners to associate. The findings, however, indicate a shift from small-scale owners perceiving the forest purely economically to understanding its socio-ecological values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]