FMgt 11: Introduction to Forestry

CO2: Basic Forest Management

Principles and Approaches
Lesson 2.1: Multiple-use forest
management

1. To learn about the concept of using forest resources

in various ways.
2. To understand examples of multiple-use
management strategies.
What is forest management?
 What is forest management?
• Forest management, or forest resource
management, is the branch of forestry that
refers to any planned human intervention in a
forest ecosystem to achieve specific goals and
objectives, which can typically be grouped as
environmental, economic, and social.
• It can include anything from low intensity to
high intensity interventions using different
practices, tools, and techniques.
 What is forest management?
• It involves the application of techniques to
protect, conserve, and sustainably use forest
resources.
• It includes planning and implementing
practices that meet both ecological and
economic objectives.
Is forest management also a
conservation of ecosystems?
 Is forest management also a
conservation of ecosystems?
• While biodiversity conservation could be an
aspect or goal of forest management, forest
management does not always focus strongly
on conservation.
• Forest management could have many goals in
mind, including economic, environmental, or
social.
• Conserving the forest and the plants and
animals within could therefore form a part of
forest management.
Forest management is different for
natural and planted forest systems
 Forest management is different for
natural and planted forest systems
• In a natural forest, trees and plants occur and
regenerate naturally.
• Trees are of varying ages and the forest
typically features great biodiversity, with many
different trees, plants and animals calling the
forest home.
• Forest management in natural forests focuses
its practices on the existing trees and other
species in the forest and is usually low
intensity by nature.
 Forest management is different for
natural and planted forest systems
• Planted forest systems, or plantations, are
deliberately planted by humans, often to
produce certain forest materials or products.
• Trees in certain areas tend to be the same age
and there exists a smaller variety of trees and
plants.
• Some plantations have only one species,
making it a monocrop.
 Forest management is different for
natural and planted forest systems
• Plantation systems are usually intensively
managed, as maintaining and increasing yield
in a system where biodiversity is low, requires
high levels of intervention.
• This does not mean that all plantations lack
biodiversity.
• Plantation systems focused on sustainable
forest management often designate areas
where biodiversity is protected or restored.
 Need for Forest Management
Forest management is required to avoid the
followings:
• Extinction of thousands of species - Millions
of plants and animal species are in danger of
disappearing as a result of deforestation.
• Heavy soil erosion - One function of the forest
is that its roots hold the soil in place.
• Greenhouse effect - The continued
degradation of our forest heightens the threat
of global warming
 Need for Forest Management
• Flooding - One major importance of forest is
that they absorb water quickly in great
amount during heavy rains and avoid floods.
• Landslides - Trees prevent soil from getting
eroded by natural agents like wind or water.
• Degraded watershed - When forest
mountains are denuded, watersheds are
degraded and this leads to the loss of
sustained water supplies for lowland
communities.
Goals and objectives of forest
management
 Goals and objectives of forest
management
• The definition, benefits and practices of forest
management depend on the main
management goals identified for each forest
enterprise, or the main reasons people are
actively intervening in the forest system.
• These goals are interrelated and
interdependent, and forest managers often
value one or more equally.
• In some cases, certain objectives would take
preference over others
 Goals and objectives of forest
management
• For example, intensively managing a forest to
increase the yield of one tree species and its
wood would compromise the forest’s overall
biodiversity.
• In such a case, to protect the ecosystem,
certain areas could be set aside for
conservation, meaning that the area managed
for yield will reduce.
 Goals and objectives of forest
management
• Similarly, a tree that is tapped for resin can
also be used for its timber but tapping too
much resin reduces the timber value.
• Defining and balancing the goals for forest
management and considering how different
aspects of forest management influence each
other, is therefore key.
 Goals and objectives of forest
management
1. Forest management for conservation
– Ecological forest management, or forest
management for conservation aims to conserve
and protect the forest into the future.
– The forest is managed in a way that will ensure no
species goes extinct and the species balance and
gene pool is maintained.
– Activities focus on protecting and restoring
biodiversity to allow the continued existence of all
the trees, plants and animals that were there
before.
 Goals and objectives of forest
management
2. Forest management for economic goals
– Forest management for economic goals aims to
ensure a steady supply of forest products and
optimize economic return.
– The forest is managed so that it can continue to
deliver materials and products for the market in
the long term.
– Sustainable forest management in this context
refers to sustainable yield (natural forest and
plantations).
 Goals and objectives of forest
management
3. Forest management for social gains
– Forest management for social gains benefits the
people that depend on forests for various social
and cultural reasons.
– This includes the Indigenous groups and local
communities who manage one-quarter of the
world’s land.
– Globally about 300 million people live in and
around forests and depend on them for food, fuel,
medicine, and their livelihoods.
– Forest management for social gains considers
these people and aims to protect their rights to
continue using forests.
– Social and economic goals for forest management
can intersect in the following circumstances:
• Income for forest owners
• Income for the state through taxation
• Jobs in the forest, e.g. forest guards, tourism
operators, and forest schools
 Principles of forest management
• The principles of forest management guide
the sustainable use and care of forests.
• They emphasize balancing multiple uses (like
timber, wildlife, and recreation), conserving
biodiversity, maintaining the health of
ecosystems, involving local communities, and
adapting practices based on ongoing
monitoring and new information.
• The goal is to ensure forests remain healthy
and productive for future generations.
 Principles of forest management
1. Sustainability
• Forests should be managed in a way that their
resources and ecological functions are preserved for
future generations.
2. Multiple-Use
• Forests should be used for a variety of purposes,
including timber production, wildlife conservation,
recreation, and water management, balancing
different needs.
3. Biodiversity Conservation
• Protecting the diversity of plant and animal species
in the forest is essential for maintaining ecosystem
health and resilience.
4. Ecosystem Approach
• Forest management should focus on maintaining the
overall health of the forest ecosystem, including soil,
water, and wildlife, not just timber production.
5. Adaptive Management
• Management practices should be flexible and
adjusted based on new knowledge, changing
conditions, or unexpected outcomes.
6. Community Involvement
• Engaging local communities and stakeholders in
decision-making helps ensure sustainable and
socially acceptable forest management.
7. Monitoring and Assessment
• Regularly monitoring forest conditions and assessing
the impact of management practices helps ensure
goals are being met and allows for adjustments
when necessary.
Forest management practices
 Forest management practices
• Forest management practices refer to the
methods and techniques used to care for and
maintain forest ecosystems.
• These practices aim to balance the use of
forest resources—such as wood, water, and
wildlife—while ensuring the health and
sustainability of the forest for future
generations.
Types of forest management practices
1. Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)
• Focuses on meeting the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future
generations to benefit from forest resources.
• It balances ecological, economic, and social factors.
2. Clearcutting
• Involves harvesting all trees in an area at once.
• It is often used to regenerate species that require full
sunlight to grow, but it can have significant
environmental impacts.
3. Selective Logging
• Involves cutting down only specific trees, leaving
others to grow.
• This method is less disruptive and helps maintain
biodiversity in the forest.
• Philippines Selective Logging Systems (PSLS)
4. Agroforestry
• Combines forestry with agriculture, where trees
are grown alongside crops or livestock. This
practice improves land productivity and
promotes biodiversity.
5. Reforestation and Afforestation
• Reforestation is the planting of trees in areas that
were recently deforested, while afforestation
involves planting trees in areas that were not
previously forested.
6. Multiple-Use Forest Management
• Aims to manage forests for various uses, such as
timber production, recreation, wildlife habitat,
and watershed protection, simultaneously.
7. Shelterwood Cutting
• Removes trees gradually over a series of cuts,
allowing younger trees to establish under the
protection of older trees before they are
harvested.
8. Community-Based Forest Management
(CBFM)
• Involves local communities in the management
and decision-making processes regarding forest
resources, promoting local stewardship and
sustainable use.
Multiple-Use Forest Management
 What is Multiple-Use Forest
Management?
• Multiple-Use Forest Management is a strategy
that allows forests to be used for different
purposes, such as timber production, wildlife
protection, recreation, and water supply, all while
ensuring the forest remains healthy and
productive for future generations.
• It is essential in maximizing the benefits derived
from forest resources while ensuring
sustainability.
 Key Features of Multiple-Use
Management
1. Sustainability
• Ensuring that forest resources are used in a way
that keeps the forest healthy and productive for
the long term.
2. Diverse Benefits
• Managing the forest to provide multiple
resources like timber, water, wildlife habitat, and
recreation, all from the same area.
3. Balanced Use
• Finding a balance between the different ways the
forest is used, so one use doesn’t harm or exclude
others.
4. Conservation
• Protecting the natural environment, wildlife, and
ecosystems while using forest resources.
5. Community Involvement
• Including local communities and stakeholders in
decision-making to meet their needs and values.
6. Adaptability
• Being flexible in management strategies to respond
to changing conditions like climate, wildlife, and
resource demands.
 Benefits of Multiple-Use Forest
Management
1. Resource Efficiency
• Maximizes the use of forest resources by
allowing different uses (timber, water, wildlife,
recreation) without wasting any potential
benefits.
2. Economic Opportunities
• Provides jobs and income through various forest-
based industries like logging, tourism, and
recreation.
3. Environmental Protection
• Helps protect ecosystems, wildlife habitats, and
water sources while allowing responsible use of
forest resources.
4. Biodiversity Conservation
• Supports a wide range of plant and animal
species by maintaining diverse forest
environments.
5. Recreation and Tourism
• Creates spaces for outdoor activities like hiking,
camping, and birdwatching, promoting well-
being and tourism.
6. Community Well-being
• Involves local communities in forest
management, ensuring they benefit from the
resources and services forests provide.
7. Climate Resilience
• Enhances the forest’s ability to adapt to and
recover from climate-related changes, such as
storms and droughts.
 Examples of Multiple-Use Strategies
1. Agroforestry: Combining trees and crops or
livestock in the same area to produce food,
timber, and other products while improving
soil health and biodiversity.
2. Watershed Management: Managing forests
to protect water sources by maintaining
healthy trees and vegetation that filter and
regulate water flow, while allowing controlled
logging and recreation.
3. Wildlife Conservation Areas: Forests managed to
protect wildlife species, while also allowing
activities like ecotourism and sustainable gathering
of non-timber forest products (fruits, nuts, etc.).
4. National Parks: Areas set aside for
conservation and public enjoyment, where
forests are protected for recreation, wildlife
habitat, and tourism, without heavy resource
extraction.
5. Forest Recreation Areas: Zones where forests
are managed for activities like hiking,
camping, and birdwatching, while
maintaining forest health and protecting
wildlife and water sources.
6. Community Forests: Forests managed by
local communities for a range of purposes
such as timber production, recreation, and
conservation, ensuring that local people
benefit from the resources.
 Challenges in Multiple-Use Forest
Management
1. Resource Conflicts
• Balancing different forest uses (timber,
recreation, conservation) can lead to conflicts
between stakeholders with competing interests.
2. Overexploitation
• Excessive use of forest resources, such as over-
harvesting timber or overgrazing, can harm
forest health and reduce long-term productivity.
3. Climate Change
• Changing weather patterns, extreme events, and
shifting ecosystems make it harder to maintain a
balance between multiple forest uses.
4. Biodiversity Loss
• Some management practices may prioritize
certain resources (e.g., timber) over others,
threatening plant and animal diversity.
5. Deforestation and Land Conversion
• Pressure to clear forests for agriculture or
development reduces the area available for
multiple-use management.
6. Limited Funding and Resources
• Effective management requires investment in
monitoring, conservation, and infrastructure, which
is often lacking in many regions.
7. Policy and Governance Issues
• Inconsistent regulations and poor enforcement can
make it difficult to implement sustainable, multiple-
use management practices effectively.
8. Community Engagement
• Ensuring local communities are involved and benefit
from forest management can be challenging,
especially when external interests dominate
decision-making.
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