Conventional method of vegetation description rarely convey the behavioural of response based information needed to describe effectively the world’s vegetation for conservation and management purposes. The information required for these purposes may be derived from generic set of plant functional attributes (PFAs) as described in this paper. A grammar provides a syntactic rule base for generating and comparing individuals model or modi based on specific PFA combiantions. The method facilitaties rapid and uniform assessment of plant response to variation in the physical environment at differing spatial scales independently of species. This is illustrated by local, regional and global case studies
Tag: analysis
Rights and wellbeing: an analytical approach to global case comparison of community forestry
Many countries have adopted policies supported community forestry. Trends towards community empowerment, livelihood improvement and decentralized decision-making are being done by providing more rights to forest dependent people. However, empirical data to support clear understanding on the correlation between resource rights and wellbeing or poverty are missing. The paper provides an analytical approach to figuring out forest resource rights and their connections to wellbeing. Twenty seven cases of community forestry in Asia, Africa and Latin America were selected, clustered and analyzed using non-linear principle component analysis. We found there was correlation between rights of forest resources and wellbeing although was not very strong. There was also connection between income and equity as well as between equity and sustainability of forest. This implies that giving more rights to local people is not enough for improving wellbeing without facilitating for better institution and governance.
Global patterns and trends in the use and management of commercial NTFPs: implications for livelihoods and conservation
Understanding of the role and potential of nontimber forest products (NTFPs) for livelihood improvement and conservation has been hindered by a lack of a clear theoretical framework and a functional typology of cases. To help fill this gap, we did a comparative analysis of 61 cases of commercial NTFP production in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Cases were documented using a standardized set of descriptors organized into categories describing various aspects of the production-to-consumption system. Exploratory analysis yielded useful case groupings by (a) household economic strategy and (b) NTFP production strategy. These groups and their key characteristics are used as a basis for discussing the development and conservation implications of NTFPs.
Guidelines for applying multi-criteria analysis to the assessment of criteria and indicators
Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) is a decision-making tool developed for complex problems. In a situation where multiple criteria are involved confusion can arise if a logical, well-structured decision-making process is not followed. Another difficulty in decision making is that reaching a general consensus in a multidisciplinary team can be very difficult to achieve. By using MCA the members don’t have to agree on the relative importance of the Criteria or the rankings of the alternatives. Each member enters his or her own judgements, and makes a distinct, identifiable contribution to a jointly reached conclusion. This manual is written for an audience that needs a clear, easy to follow manual that can be used in the field to implement MCA. The information is structured so that the reader is first introduced to the general concepts involved before dwelving into the more specific applications of Multi Criteria Analysis. The manual reviews the conceptual framework of C&I and introduces the theoretical basis of MCA, and methods such as ranking, rating and pairwise comparisons in the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). It provides an example of how MCA can be applied to C&I in a Forest Certification context both from a ‘top-down’ perspective as well as in a more ‘bottom-up’ context.
A generic plant functional attribute set and grammar for vegetation description and analysis
Conventional descriptive methods rarely convey the behavioural information needed to conserve and manage the world’s vegetation. Such information may be derived from a generic set of plant functional attributes (PFAs). A grammar provides a syntactic rule base for generating and comparing coherent models of individual plant behaviour based on PFA combinations rather than discrete attributes. The method facilitates rapid and uniform assessment of plant response to environmental change at varying spatial scales regardless of species.
Integrating gender into forestry research: A guide for CIFOR scientists and programme administrators
How do we integrate gender analysis into forestry research? Where do we start? What challenges are we going to face? What skills are required to conduct gender analysis? What methods are appropriate? What do we do with the data we collect? The answers to these questions often feel elusive. However many of them are within our reach. If you are a CIFOR scientist, partner or other researchers curious about what it means to conduct gender-responsive forestry research this guide is for you. This guide for was developed to help CIFOR scientists, partners, and program administrators more easily develop their own skills in gender analysis or find the needed resources elsewhere to advance efforts to integrate gender issue into forestry research. The guide provides researchers, ranging from those with no knowledge of gender concepts to those with some familiarity with the topic, with an introduction to the concept of gender and the gender dimensions of key forestry issues. Short thematic briefs outline the key dimensions of various topics including climate change, REDD+, and value chains. Gender related research questions and methods for conducting gender analysis are also described. The guide also provides tips and advice for building the right research team and gender-sensitive field strategies.
Systems analysis for the forest sector
This article is an overview of systems analysis in forestry and forest industries. The issues covered range from forest management and forest industrial strategy to international trade in forest products and structural change in the forest sector worldwide. The methodologies discussed include mathematical models of economies, statistics, and operations research.
Prioritizing criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management: a case study on participatory decision making
This paper describes an application of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) in assessing criteria and indicators (C&I) as measures of sustainable forest management. C&I elements are organised in hierarchical manner around the three general concepts, namely: Principle, Criteria and Indicators. These elements are prioritised based on their perceived relative importance values. These values are calculated using pairwise comparisons of the C&I elements following the principles of the AHP. Pairwise comparisons were obtained from experts representing various disciplines related to forest management. C&I analysis is done at different levels in the hierarchy. To demonstrate the method, a C&I assessment case study involves a forest located in Kalimantan, Indonesia. A generic set of C&I is used as a benchmark. AHP is used to calculate the relative weights of each C&I, prioritize them, and ultimately select a final set of C&I to be used in assessing the sustainability of the forest.
Land-use analysis of highland agricultural systems using Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM): a case study from Ban Pha Phueng and Ban Mong Luang in the Mae Chaem Catchment, Northern Thailand
The study of agricultural land use system in the highland areas of the Mae Chaem catchment was conducted by using the Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM). It aims to investigate the private and social profitability from dominant crops grown in the Karen communities (Ban Pha Phueng and Ban Mong Luang), as well as to evaluate the impact of economic and social policies on different land use systems. Extensive economic field survey was conducted in order to derive the necessary data required for creating a number of tables (i.e., Input-Output, private price and social price tables). Four crops chosen for this study are: (1) Paddy rice; (2) Upland rice; (3) Rainfed soy beans and (4) Upland corn. The results of PAM analysis revealed that paddy rice was privately and socially profitable, which should be extensively promoted. Upland rice was privately and socially non-profitable and it should be discouraged to grow on the highlands, except the improvement of yield has been made. Rainfed soy beans and upland corn were not privately profitable, but socially profitable. These two crops were taxed by the government or the society as indicated by a net negative transfer. Sensitivity analysis has been conducted by applying a number of situations on price and productivity on individual crops, so that effects from market imperfections or government policy can be determined. It has been recommended that PAM would be valid if externalities have been taken into account in the analytical process.
Evaluating and selecting criteria and indicators of forest sustainability: a case study on participatory assessment under CBFM in the Philippines
This paper describes an application of multi-criteria analysis (MCA) in evaluating and selecting criteria and indicators (C&I) of forest sustainability. The method was applied on a case study involving a forest area managed under the Community-Based Forest Management System of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Experience gained from the study indicates that MCA is a suitable tool for the systematic evaluation of C&I including validation of previously developed national set of C&I, modification of the validated set by incorporating other externally generated C&I, and ultimately, prioritization of the C&I according to their perceived importance.