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Forests
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Forests, Plantations, and Land Use
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Forests, Plantations, and Land Use

A special issue of Forests (ISSN 1999-4907). This special issue belongs to the section "Forest Economics, Policy, and Social Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 September 2020) | Viewed by 35582

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Rod Keenan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
Interests: forests and climate change (mitigation and adaptation); forest assessment and planning; ecology and nutrient cycling; computer modelling of ecosystem functioning; forest and international development policy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Peter Kanowski

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Fenner School of Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia
Interests: natural resource management; education policy; forestry management and environment; forestry fire management; environment policy; forestry sciences; environmental science and management

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Planted forests have increased around the world to meet timber supply, economic development, or landscape restoration goals. However, experience with expansion of planted forests has been mixed. Some countries have successfully implemented widely supported, large-scale programs providing substantial economic, social, and environmental benefits. In other places, plantation development has been controversial, with few benefits for local people, the wider economy or the environment. While international goals have been set to restore forest cover and increase planted forests, since 2010, the rate of increase in planted forests has slowed. It is unclear where planted forests might be located, or how they will be managed, to achieve desired objectives. New models of development for planted forests are likely to be required to achieve global targets.

This Special Issue aims to present current research on planted forests and plantations and best-practice approaches to plantation development. The topics will include land tenure and allocation; social issues, regulation and enforcement; finance, incentives, and education programs; linking value chains for plantation timber; and approaches for integrating environmental values and benefits.

Prof. Dr. Rod Keenan
Prof. Dr. Peter Kanowski
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Forests is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Planted forests
  • Forest management
  • Policy
  • Social
  • Investment
  • Restoration
  • Plantations

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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23 pages, 1264 KiB  
Article
Lao Plantation Policy: Prospects for Change
by Hilary Smith, Peter Kanowski, Rodney J. Keenan and Somvang Phimmavong
Forests 2021, 12(8), 1132; https://doi.org/10.3390/f12081132 - 23 Aug 2021
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3703
Abstract
Policies to promote tree plantations in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic have been developed since independence to support national socio-economic and environmental goals, and in response to domestic and international markets. The effectiveness of these policies has been variable, and the resulting plantation [...] Read more.
Policies to promote tree plantations in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic have been developed since independence to support national socio-economic and environmental goals, and in response to domestic and international markets. The effectiveness of these policies has been variable, and the resulting plantation wood value chains are poorly developed due to contradictory and confusing laws and regulations with inconsistent application and high transaction costs. Consequently, there has been limited tree plantation investment, and few investments have realized the anticipated benefits. Renewed interest in plantations from the government, investors and other sectors in Laos has prompted policy reviews and recognition of the need for new policy settings. We reviewed the development of plantation policies in Laos and assessed policy effectiveness and barriers to policy options. Through document analysis, interviews with key stakeholders and actors, stakeholder forums, and field research, we found that smarter regulation, and facilitating value-chain partnerships and knowledge sharing, can motivate smallholders and industry investors in plantations, and increase community-level benefits and financial returns to the Government and private sector. These results are discussed in the context of current international developments in plantation policy and the convergence in related policy processes in Laos. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forests, Plantations, and Land Use)
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17 pages, 2299 KiB  
Article
Participatory Assessment of Ecosystem Services from Community-Managed Planted Forests in Bhutan
by Prem Bahadur Rai, Robin R. Sears, Dorji Dukpa, Sonam Phuntsho, Yustina Artati and Himlal Baral
Forests 2020, 11(10), 1062; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11101062 - 30 Sep 2020
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3386
Abstract
Planted forests provide a range of ecosystem services, from the local to global scales. In this study, we evaluated the perceptions by local people of the ecosystem services from planted forest stands in Bhutan. We employed household questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions [...] Read more.
Planted forests provide a range of ecosystem services, from the local to global scales. In this study, we evaluated the perceptions by local people of the ecosystem services from planted forest stands in Bhutan. We employed household questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions in eight villages in two regions of Bhutan: Trashigang dzongkhag, in eastern Bhutan, and Punakha dzongkhag in western Bhutan. At all sites, the planted forests were created several decades ago to restore forest cover in deforested and degraded areas. The restored stands were perceived by residents to provide multiple goods and ecosystem services important to local security, health, and livelihoods, including wild edibles, freshwater, and soil protection, and aesthetic and cultural services. This study indicates that local community participation in forest resource management can ease user conflict and manage the planted forests sustainably. We see community-based forest restoration on degraded lands as a viable approach, among others, to achieve national commitments to the Bonn Challenge and other multilateral environmental agreements related to forests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forests, Plantations, and Land Use)
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19 pages, 4345 KiB  
Article
Spatial Assessment of Ecosystem Services from Planted Forests in Central Vietnam
by Kiran Paudyal, Yusuf B. Samsudin, Himlal Baral, Beni Okarda, Vu Tan Phuong, Shyam Paudel and Rodney J. Keenan
Forests 2020, 11(8), 822; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11080822 - 29 Jul 2020
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 4316
Abstract
Globally, planted forests are increasing, providing increased resources to forest industries and ecosystem services (ES) to local and wider communities. However, assessment of the impacts of plantations on ES has been limited. Planted forests have expanded rapidly in Vietnam over the last 20 [...] Read more.
Globally, planted forests are increasing, providing increased resources to forest industries and ecosystem services (ES) to local and wider communities. However, assessment of the impacts of plantations on ES has been limited. Planted forests have expanded rapidly in Vietnam over the last 20 years, with much of the planting undertaken by smallholder growers using exotic Acacia and Eucalyptus species. This study aimed to test a framework to assess changes in four ES due to an increase in Acacia plantations from 2005–2015 in central Vietnam: carbon sequestration, sediment retention, water yield and habitat. Quantitative and qualitative indicators for each service were derived from the literature. Results showed that the area of planted forests in Quảng Trị and Thừa Thiên-Huế Provinces increased from 130,930 hectares (ha) to 182,508 ha, mostly replacing non-forest areas (degraded lands, grasslands and agricultural lands) and poor forests. The framework demonstrated capacity to assess the effect of planted forests on wood flow, carbon stocks, sediment retention, streamflow and the extent of wildlife habitat. Apart from the wood supply and carbon sequestration, more research is required to translate biophysical indicators to benefit relevant indicators related to human welfare. The study also revealed that the area of rich forests decreased by 20% over the ten years, mostly through degradation to poorer quality natural forests. Therefore, at the landscape scale, improvement in ES due to conversion of non-forests to planted forests was offset by a reduction in some services as a result of degradation of native forest from rich to poorer condition. Assessment of changes in ES due to planted forests also needs to consider other landscape changes. These analyses can inform policymakers, forest owners and managers, environmental organizations and local communities of the benefits and impacts of planted forests and provide an improved basis for payments for ES and potential additional income for smallholder tree growers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forests, Plantations, and Land Use)
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25 pages, 1629 KiB  
Article
Do Locals Have a Say? Community Experiences of Participation in Governing Forest Plantations in Tanzania
by Mohammed B. Degnet, Edwin van der Werf, Verina Ingram and Justus H.H. Wesseler
Forests 2020, 11(7), 782; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11070782 - 20 Jul 2020
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2993
Abstract
As large-scale forest plantations expand in developing countries, concerns are rising about their relation to and integration with adjacent local communities. In developing countries with weak enforcement of property rights, private plantations are more likely than state-owned plantations to involve villagers in plantation’s [...] Read more.
As large-scale forest plantations expand in developing countries, concerns are rising about their relation to and integration with adjacent local communities. In developing countries with weak enforcement of property rights, private plantations are more likely than state-owned plantations to involve villagers in plantation’s activities in order to secure and guarantee their access to land and labor resources. Certification standards of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and adherence to responsible investment guidelines further strengthen this likelihood by requiring plantations to consult and engage local communities. Using household data from Tanzania, we assess households’ experiences with their participation in plantation activities by comparing the experiences of households in villages adjacent to private, FSC-certified plantations with those of households in villages adjacent to a non-certified, state-owned plantation. Our quantitative analyses show that households in the villages adjacent to the private, certified plantations are more likely to report to participate in plantation activities. Our results show that the certified plantations are more likely to respond to community complaints and grievances. We further find that male-headed households and households of plantation employees are more likely than female-headed households and households without plantation employees to participate in plantations’ activities. Our results imply that forest management certification can complement state policy approaches of sustainable forest management to enhance community participation in forest management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forests, Plantations, and Land Use)
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22 pages, 3645 KiB  
Article
Optimising Tree Plantation Land Use in Brazil by Analysing Trade-Offs between Economic and Environmental Factors Using Multi-Objective Programming
by Giovanna Medeiros, Thiago Florindo, Edson Talamini, Arthur Fett Neto and Clandio Ruviaro
Forests 2020, 11(7), 723; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11070723 - 01 Jul 2020
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3165
Abstract
In order to meet the growing global demand for bioproducts, areas of forests planted for productive purposes tend to increase worldwide. However, there are several controversies about the possible negative impacts of such forests, such as invasive potential, influence on water balance and [...] Read more.
In order to meet the growing global demand for bioproducts, areas of forests planted for productive purposes tend to increase worldwide. However, there are several controversies about the possible negative impacts of such forests, such as invasive potential, influence on water balance and biodiversity, and competition with other types of land use. As a result, there is a need to optimize land use, in order to achieve improvements in terms of sustainability in the broadest sense. In this study, the environmental and economic performances of pine and eucalyptus forest production systems for multiple purposes are compared aiming an optimized allocation of land use in the Center-West Region of Brazil. Life cycle assessment, life cycle cost and analysis of financial and economic indicators were used to assess potential environmental and economic impacts, covering the agricultural and industrial phases of pine and eucalyptus forest systems managed for the production of cellulose and sawn wood and, for pine, the production of rosin and turpentine from the extraction of gumresin and by applying the kraft process. Subsequently, the TOPSIS multicriteria decision-making method was applied to rank production systems in different combinations of phases and criteria, and multi-objective optimization was used to allocate land use according to different restrictions of areas and efficiency. The adoption of cleaner energy sources and the use of more efficient machines, equipment and vehicles are the main solutions to improve the environmental and economic performance of the forestry sector. The production systems of pine for cellulose and pine for sawn wood, rosin and turpentine were identified as the best solutions to optimize land use. For this reason, they must be considered as alternatives for the expansion and diversification of the Brazilian forest productive chain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forests, Plantations, and Land Use)
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27 pages, 4872 KiB  
Article
Forest Cover Change, Households’ Livelihoods, Trade-Offs, and Constraints Associated with Plantation Forests in Poor Upland-Rural Landscapes: Evidence from North Central Vietnam
by Quy Van Khuc, Tuyet-Anh T. Le, Trung H. Nguyen, Duy Nong, Bao Quang Tran, Patrick Meyfroidt, Trung Tran, Pham Bao Duong, Thanh T. Nguyen, Tan Tran, Linh Pham, Shawn Leu, Ngo Thi Phuong Thao, Nguyen Huu-Dung, Trung-Kien Dao, Nguyen Van Hong, Bui Thi Minh Nguyet, Hoai-Son Nguyen and Mark W. Paschke
Forests 2020, 11(5), 548; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11050548 - 13 May 2020
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 5334
Abstract
Vietnam’s forests have experienced a notable transformation over the past 20 years from net deforestation to reforestation and expanding forests. Continued reforestation that aims to achieve further economic and environmental benefits remains a national priority and strategy. We explore the current status of [...] Read more.
Vietnam’s forests have experienced a notable transformation over the past 20 years from net deforestation to reforestation and expanding forests. Continued reforestation that aims to achieve further economic and environmental benefits remains a national priority and strategy. We explore the current status of plantation forests and highlight possible means to facilitate their expansion in the uplands of Vietnam. We employ mixed method triangulation to empirically explore plantation forests and their economic role in household livelihood, to quantify trade-offs between plantation forests and shifting cultivation, and to assess the constraints on plantation forest expansion in Nghe An province, north-central Vietnam. Results show that forest in the study area expanded by 406,000 ha (71.1%) between 1990 and 2016. Plantation forests increased by nearly 500% (from 32,000 ha to 190,000 ha), while natural forests expanded by 48.1% (from 538,000 ha to 797,000 ha). Plantation forests contributed an average of 35.1 percent of total household income in wealthier households and 27.9 percent of income in poor households. Switching from shifting cultivation to plantation forests would increase total household income and average carbon stock but decrease food provision. Total Economic Value would be higher for plantation forest scenarios if increased carbon stocks in plantations can be monetized. This carbon income might drive conversion of shifting cultivation to plantation forests. Constraints on further expansion of plantation forest are low external cooperation, education, market stability, and agroforestry extension services. Our empirical results inform national plantation forest development, sustainable upland livelihood development, and climate change mitigation programs to ultimately facilitate forest transition and improve the resilience and sustainability of socio-ecological systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forests, Plantations, and Land Use)
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16 pages, 1291 KiB  
Article
Rural Household Livelihood and Tree Plantation Dependence in the Central Mountainous Region of Hainan Island, China: Implications for Poverty Alleviation
by Ruida Li, Hua Zheng, Cuiping Zhang, Bonnie Keeler, Leah H. Samberg, Cong Li, Stephen Polasky, Yongming Ni and Zhiyun Ouyang
Forests 2020, 11(2), 248; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11020248 - 24 Feb 2020
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3906
Abstract
Plantations support local economies and rural livelihoods in many mountainous regions, where poverty and a fragile environment are often interlinked. Managing plantations sustainably and alleviating poverty is a major challenge. This study reports on the findings of a household livelihood survey in the [...] Read more.
Plantations support local economies and rural livelihoods in many mountainous regions, where poverty and a fragile environment are often interlinked. Managing plantations sustainably and alleviating poverty is a major challenge. This study reports on the findings of a household livelihood survey in the central mountainous region of Hainan Island, a global biodiversity hotspot. The survey aimed to identify rural household livelihoods, strategies to lift rural households out of poverty and potential environmental consequences of different livelihood strategies. Households were divided into five groups based on their main source of income: plantations, crops, livestock, local off-farm income and remittances. Plantations were the main source of income for 74% of households and provided 46% of the total income. Plantation land area, planting diverse tree species and intercropping were significantly associated with higher income. Reallocating land by family size could increase the proportion of households above the poverty line in the plantation group from 51.3% to 85.3%, while making only 3.3% of households worse off. Lower income households tended to apply more chemicals to plantations, which suggests that they create more strain on the environment. Improving household income through dynamically allocating plantation land and diversifying planted species could therefore be beneficial both socially and environmentally. Our results emphasize the importance of dynamic plantation land allocation and diverse plantation planting in poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forests, Plantations, and Land Use)
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14 pages, 1369 KiB  
Article
Smallholder Decision-Making on Sawlog Production: The Case of Acacia Plantation Owners in Central Vietnam
by Eliza Zhunusova, Le Thi Hoa Sen, Jobst-Michael Schröder, Stefan Ziegler, Matthias Dieter and Sven Günter
Forests 2019, 10(11), 969; https://doi.org/10.3390/f10110969 - 02 Nov 2019
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4106
Abstract
Background and objectives: Smallholder households with a plot size of 1–5 ha manage nearly half of Vietnam’s acacia plantations. They mostly harvest acacia timber after short rotation periods (5–6 years) producing woodchips with relatively low financial returns compared to potential profits from sawlog [...] Read more.
Background and objectives: Smallholder households with a plot size of 1–5 ha manage nearly half of Vietnam’s acacia plantations. They mostly harvest acacia timber after short rotation periods (5–6 years) producing woodchips with relatively low financial returns compared to potential profits from sawlog production through long rotation periods. The domestic wood production cannot yet meet the needs of the booming furniture industry for raw materials. This paper investigates factors that influence the adoption of long-rotation periods for sawlog production by small-scale plantation owners. Materials and methods: The impact of farmer and farm characteristics and the characteristics of the external environment on the probability to adopt long rotation periods is analyzed. The data were collected through focus group discussions (FGD) and a household survey to capture the wider socio-economic situation of small-scale plantation owners in central Vietnam. Findings: Results from FGDs and probit regressions show that factors that potentially constrain small-scale plantation owners from the production of sawlogs can be grouped into four themes: (1) small and fragmented land holdings, (2) high risks related to natural disasters and other biotic and abiotic hazards, (3) high production and monitoring costs, and (4) lack of knowledge and experience in plantation management. Conclusions: Potential policy approaches to promote the adoption of long rotation periods should include a package of measures that simultaneously address the constraints of smallholders and the various risks that they face. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forests, Plantations, and Land Use)
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Review

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20 pages, 1076 KiB  
Review
Livelihood Impacts of Plantation Forests on Farmers in the Greater Mekong Subregion: A Systematic Review of Plantation Forest Models
by Alexander van der Meer Simo
Forests 2020, 11(11), 1162; https://doi.org/10.3390/f11111162 - 31 Oct 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3700
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Plantation forests remain a highly contested element of rural development. Successive reviews of large-scale plantations established under land concessions identify predominantly negative impacts on local farmers’ livelihoods. Although concession models of plantation development have been common in the global South, [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Plantation forests remain a highly contested element of rural development. Successive reviews of large-scale plantations established under land concessions identify predominantly negative impacts on local farmers’ livelihoods. Although concession models of plantation development have been common in the global South, other models characterised by different forms of land tenure, labour arrangements, and plantation design have also emerged. The impacts of these models on the livelihoods of local farmers are likely to be more varied. This paper presents the results of a systematic review on the impacts of different models of plantation forests on the livelihoods of local farmers in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. Materials and Methods: Seventy-two of more than 1000 publications were identified as meeting review criteria and were assessed systematically to identify how plantation forests impacted on the natural, financial, human, physical, and social assets of proximate rural communities. Plantation models included: state forest plantations; land and land-sharing concessions; land purchase programs; and “enrolled”, contracted, and independent smallholders. Results: The results confirm those of earlier studies that land concessions delivered lasting livelihoods benefits only to few communities. A small number of positive examples among these cases demonstrate, however, that these plantation models are not necessarily detrimental to local livelihoods. Other plantation forest models, based on contract farming, land purchase, and independent smallholders have generally brought economic benefits to local people, although differentially. Research Highlights and Conclusions: Overall, this review suggests that plantation forests are not inherently positive or negative for local livelihoods, and all plantation models have the potential to contribute positively to local livelihoods. Future research on this topic needs to adopt more holistic livelihoods perspectives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Forests, Plantations, and Land Use)
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