Daily report for 15–17 October 1997

XI WFC delegates continued to participate in technical sessions from 15-17 October, and attended a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the International Poplar Commission and a special Plenary on youth in forestry on 17 October.

TECHNICAL SESSIONS

FOREST AND TREE RESOURCES

Assessment and Monitoring of Forest and Tree Resources (continued): Voluntary papers addressed: applications of GIS and remote sensing for forest surveying in Nepal; causal modeling of deforestation in Bolivia; principles for designing a GIS for forestry in a hierarchical decision- making process; use of GIS for forest remapping in Israel; forest cover assessment and monitoring in Vietnam using satellite imagery; and a new World Forest Monitoring Forum.

The Forestry Agriculture Interface: A special paper discussed forestry and agriculture in China, showing that sustainable land-use systems require effective cooperative mechanisms between government, scientists and farmers. Another special paper focused on indigenous food and tree crops for combating Kenyan deforestation and degradation. Voluntary papers addressed: the benefits to agroforestry from European agricultural reform; the use of GIS for agroforestry parks; canopy cover in coffee-based agricultural systems; the effects of shea trees on agricultural production; understorey effects on tree characteristics in agroforestry; indigenous buffers for household food security in Nepal; and agroforestry models of bamboo cultivation on farmers' degraded agricultural lands in central India.

Forests and Fire: A special paper on fire and forests noted advances in fire-danger rating systems, crown fire documentation and identification of combustion products. Another special paper described recent changes in fire frequency and extent in the Northern hemisphere, and compared the major reasons for human induced fires. Another special paper on the effectiveness of broadcasting fire hazard warnings in Guinea found a positive correlation between radio transmission range and reduction in fire incidence. A special presentation on recent and ongoing fires in Indonesia noted that fires are most prevalent in highly populated areas, with 40% occurring within forest boundaries, and the remainder in agricultural land and conversion forests. It suggested that fire was the cheapest way to clear land. Voluntary papers addressed: forest surveillance as a fire prevention tool in France; effects of forest fires in West African rainforests; use of remote sensing to monitor changes in tropical forests and savannahs; fuel load in Malaysian forest plantations; and forest fires in Turkey.

FOREST BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND THE MAINTENANCE OF THE NATURAL HERITAGE

The position paper explained the concept of biological diversity, noting that the loss of biodiversity degrades watershed quality, deteriorates quality of life and reduces development options.

Protecting Forests Against Pests and Diseases, Air Pollution and Decline: A special paper on forest health management noted that the protection of forests from disease and pests has moved from eradication techniques to long-term management based on an ecosystem approach. Another special paper gave examples of numerous pest infestations affecting southern and eastern Africa, noting that integrated pest management strategies need to be sustainable, based on low technology and suited to local conditions. Voluntary papers were presented on: effects of air pollution on European forests; effects of power plant air pollution on Turkish forests; major insect pests of humid, tropical regions of Africa; problems of alien species in fragile island ecosystems; pests and diseases of woody plants in urban areas of Moscow; introduction of chemical fungicide-resistant genes to protect bio-control fungi in seedlings; and fungal diseases of shrubs in Turkey.

Conservation of Forest Ecosystems: A special paper on patterns of forest biodiversity loss highlighted that structural adjustment programmes are forcing countries to dismiss their forestry staff and underscored that forest protection is not an election issue. Another special paper on the estimation of opportunity costs for sustainable ecosystems explained various tools to determine non-market values of forests. Voluntary papers were presented on: a matrix for forest reserve conservation; an ecological stewardship project in the US; mapping of forests of the world; conservation and management of the home oak around the Mediterranean; monumental tree conservation in Turkey; shrub ecosystems and their utilization; restoration of degraded vegetation in southeastern Brazil; and the protection of landscape and biodiversity in forest ecosystems.

PROTECTIVE AND ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTIONS OF FORESTS

The position paper focused on the role of forests in protecting against soil erosion, preserving biodiversity in fragile ecosystems and combating land degradation.

Watershed Management, Torrent and Avalanche Control, Land Rehabilitation and Erosion Control: A special paper on integrated watershed management for sustainable development of renewable resources highlighted rehabilitative and preventive actions. Additional papers discussed comprehensive strategies for relaunching watershed management in tropical mountain areas, and technical issues in research on maintenance of mountain watersheds. Voluntary papers discussed: the effect of changes in fog forests on water collection in Colombia; a participatory project for watershed rehabilitation and erosion control in Turkey; restoration and reforestation of land after open- cast gold mining; natural disaster protection for forests; an authority for international management for the Shat-al- Arab watershed; and forests and sustainable mountain development under Agenda 21.

The Role of Forestry in Combating Desertification: A special paper focused on afforestation, natural vegetation management and agroforestry and silvo-pastoral systems for desertification control. Voluntary papers were presented on: growth and production models for Argentine windbreaks; afforestation with fodder shrubs in Chile; energy plantations for afforestation in India; sand dune afforestation with stone and cluster pines in Turkey; and use of the traditional Libyan oasis to combat desertification.

Protection of Wetlands and Coastal Lands and Their Habitats: A special paper on forests' role in protection of wetlands and coastal habitats highlighted the Ramsar Convention's role in encouraging wise use of forested wetland areas. Voluntary papers were presented on: coastal vegetation management in France; seaweed use in coastal vegetation restoration; and wetland protection in Turkey.

PRODUCTIVE FUNCTIONS OF FORESTS

Silviculture and Management of Production Forests: A special paper on practical steps contributing to SFM stressed the importance of: tenure security; balance between wood production and social and environmental objectives; flexible management plans; and monitoring. A special paper was presented on sustainable multi-functional management of natural forests. Voluntary papers were presented on: contributions of modeling to the management of humid tropical forests; Indonesian experience in establishing forest management units; natural forest dynamics by three-dimensional model interpretation; stand simulation; silviculture on the Menominee Indian Reservation; the effect of wind damage on rotation length on plains in New Zealand; conversion of chestnut coppices into high forest; and effects of shading on growth of seedlings of three Turkish tree species.

Forest Harvesting and Transportation: A special paper discussed reducing the need for new harvesting areas by increasing yield through: plantations; wood residue reduction; codes of practice; new technologies; and better planning, supervision and training. A second paper addressed tree selection for harvesting to achieve SFM. Voluntary papers discussed: environmental impacts of harvesting in mountainous terrain; an electronic database on environmental consequences of logging; soil and tree disturbances in logging; skidder use in full-tree harvesting systems; improvement of timber utilization in logging; and joint implementation funding for sustainable logging projects.

Non-wood Forest Products (continued): Voluntary papers addressed: the economic and productive potential of palm species for semi-arid areas; value-added processing of NWFPs; the economic feasibility of tapping a species of pine in Brazil; basil cultivation in Turkey; and Botswana's policy to promote rural community strategies for sustainable resource and NWFP use.

Wood Fuel and Biomass Energy: A special paper discussed future energy demands and sources and carbon emissions abatement through renewable energy. A special paper on forest industry residues as a fuel in Southeast Asia found opportunities for energy production from residues in off- grid locations, areas with strict environmental regulations and locales lacking a wood residues market. Voluntary papers addressed: charcoal utilization in Brazil; biomass and energy forestry in Turkey; bio-fuels as an alternative to fossil fuels in Estonia; and forest replanting to achieve sustainability by fuelwood consumers in Brazil.

Grazing in Rangelands and Forest Lands: A special paper on forest grazing discussed how Maghreb countries address overgrazing with popular participation and application of sustainable and silvo-pastoral management systems of pastureland rotation.

ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION OF FORESTRY TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Forests, Industrialization Strategies and Employment: A special paper on forests and employment highlighted misconceptions about forest-based employment, including over-statement of employment, future employment opportunities and opportunities in informal forest-based employment. It suggested that employment be incorporated into C&I for SFM.

Forest Products Trade and Certification: A special paper on forest certification in Indonesia described certification as a method for correcting imperfect markets and an effective means for achieving sustainable development and market competitiveness. It concluded that certification creates prospects for a niche market, long-term business profitability and public relations value. Voluntary papers included: eco-labeling of timber in Costa Rica; forest products trade and certification in Nigeria; an economic assessment of certification's market impact; and life cycle assessment of forestry as a basis for ecological evaluation of forest products.

Valuation of Forest Goods and Services and Incorporation into National Accounts: A special paper outlined mechanisms to measure and capture multiple forest values and to transmit this information to decision-makers. Voluntary papers discussed: financial viability versus economic viability of tropical forestry; spatial benefits of intensive forestry; contribution of appropriate forest pricing policies to SFM; charging of beneficiaries for the various functions of forests; indirect incentives for improved forest management; and a simplified approach to timber valuation.

SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF FORESTRY'S CONTRIBUTION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The position paper outlined changes in the relationship between people and forests and stressed the need to design and implement appropriate, situation-specific institutions for forest management.

Forest Dwellers, Indigenous People, Women and Local Communities: A special paper discussed the negative impacts of forest policy on indigenous peoples, forest dwellers, women and local communities, emphasizing the need to shift from centralized control to community ownership of forest resources. Another special paper addressed Canada's progress in improving aboriginal participation in SFM. Voluntary papers considered: the interrelationship between political conflict and the status of natural resources in India; indigenous knowledge used for sustainable livelihood in India; the role of rural women in community forestry in Turkey; and Mexico's social forestry sector.

POLICIES, INSTITUTIONS AND MEANS FOR SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT

The position paper discussed: new trends in public forestry administration; priorities for international forestry research; and international cooperation and mobilization of resources for SFM.

Formulation, Analysis and Implementation of Forestry Policies: A special paper stressed that the optimum mix of policy tools for forestry must befit local conditions and embody a balance between legally-binding juridical tools, economic instruments and market-led measures. Another special paper presented a prototype expert system model that uses C&I to assess SFM policy. Voluntary papers addressed: Swiss forest policy; use of criteria to implement a framework for sustainable public forest management in Quebec; adjustment to changes in forestry employing a landscape approach; the changing role of forest science in natural resource policy; WWF/IUCN's global forest conservation strategy; and comparison of ecosystem management with multiple-use, sustained-yield management.

Human Resources Development, Education and Training: A special paper introduced the importance of education to address natural resource degradation through curricula that encompass: social, biological, economic and environmental factors and local knowledge; research; practical training; and technical cooperation. Another special paper highlighted restructuring of forest science curricula to meet fundamental changes in forestry and labor markets. Voluntary papers documented: forestry education in Sudan; partnering of university, industry and government for forestry technology training in the US; and communication fora for human resources development in Indonesia.

Research and Transfer of Technology: The special paper explored possibilities for improvement of the interface between research and policy-making in forestry, stressing the need for more credible, policy-oriented research, openness to research by policy-makers, and improved dialogue and institutional mechanisms.

In this session, IUFRO Board Members and session participants engaged in a panel discussion. Speakers emphasized: limited research capacity in developing countries; lack of funding for forestry research, particularly on politically sensitive issues; the need for dialogue and mutual understanding between scientists and policy-makers; a mismatch between research priorities and policy needs; the different time horizons of science and politics; and targeting of lobbyists and the media to transmit research results. Voluntary papers highlighted: an information management system to support research and technology transfer in forest plantations; analysis for priority-setting in forestry research; and the need for mechanisms to facilitate dialogue between forestry scientists and policy-makers.

ECO-REGIONAL REVIEW

Mediterranean Forests: A special paper highlighted conditions, constraints, policy orientations, implementation achievements and programmes in the Mediterranean eco-region. Voluntary papers discussed: strategies to recover degraded land and conserve water resources in Morocco; improvement of seedling establishment of native species in dry and semi-arid environments in Spain; and rehabilitation of degraded areas in Cyprus. A report from the 1997 Iberian Forestry Congress was presented.

Mangroves and Other Coastal Forests: A special paper on the sustainable management of coastal mangrove forests highlighted the values of mangroves in fish and wildlife conservation, protection from wave action, erosion control and the prevention of salt water incursion. It noted the alarming rate of mangrove conversion to other uses.