This paper describes an application of multiple criteria analysis (MCA) in assessing criteria and indicators adapted for a particular forest management unit. The methods include: ranking, rating, and pairwise comparisons. These methods were used in a participatory decision-making environment where a team representing various stakeholders and professionals used their expert opinions and judgements in assessing different criteria and indicators (C&I), and how suitable and applicable they are to a forest management unit. A forest concession located in Kalimantan, Indonesia, was used as the site for the case study. Results from the study show that the multi-criteria methods are effective tools that can be used as structured decision aids to evaluate, prioritise, and select sets of C&I for a particular forest management unit. Ranking and rating approaches can be used as a screening tool to develop an initial list of C&I. Pairwise comparison, on the other hand, can be used as a finer filter to further reduce the list. In addition to using these three MCA methods, the study also examines two commonly used group decision-making techniques; the Delphi method and the nominal group technique. Feedback received from the participants indicates that the methods are transparent, easy to implement, and provide a convenient environment for participatory decision-making.
Tag: analysis
Avoided Deforestation with Sustainable Benefits: A case study of potential in 3 provinces in Indonesia
The release of carbon into the atmosphere from forest conversion and exploitation is estimated to be 18% of global carbon dioxide emissions, and thus a significant contributor to the increase of atmospheric CO 2 (and other greenhouse gas) concentrations that is linked to global climate change (IPCC, 2007); • If the recent estimates of total emissions of 3 Giga ton per year for Indonesia are true, per capita emissions are twice that in France and 30% above those in the UK or Germany; • The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol supports some forms of affores- tation and reforestation, but no projects have been approved for Indonesia; it excludes activities that protect existing carbon stocks and forms of ‘avoided deforestation’; • There probably is a large potential in Indonesia to reduce emissions from agriculture, forestry and other land uses (AFOLU) and to generate both local and global benefits; the scope for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) will depend on the definitions used; • Indonesia has an institutional and a vegetation concept of forest, and therefore includes “forests without trees” and “non-forests with trees”; mixed and multristrata agroforestry (intermediate land uses) can store significant quantities of carbon, maintain flows of ecosystem services, generate good economic returns and reduce pressure on remaining forest resources; • Mechanisms for reducing carbon emissions through avoi ded deforestat ion will have to maintain national sovereignty, and to balance between fairness (incentives for long term protection) and effectiveness (demonstrated reductions of emissions on the short term); • Before the institutional challenges of REDD mechanisms are tackled, we need to know the potential cost effectiveness; if current emissions would lead to large economic benefits, emission reduction would be difficult, if not, incentive systems will be feasible.
Avoided Deforestation with Sustainable Benefits: Lampung Land Cover Changes 1990’s – 2005
Abstract not found
Avoided Deforestation with Sustainable Benefits: Jambi Land Cover Changes 1990’s – 2005
Trees and forests play important roles in global climate change mitigation. On the one hand, trees growing in forests and on farms are one of the world’s greatest sinks of carbon. Afforestation in Europe now offsets significant amounts of global emissions and there are many unexploited opportunities for afforestation and reforestation in the developing world. On the other hand, tropical deforestation is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change estimate that in 2004, the forest sector was responsible for 17.4% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Global-level studies of the economics of climate change mitigation indicate that afforestation and avoided deforestation are among the most attractive investments for reducing net greenhouse gas emissions (total emissions less total sequestration). The ASB Partnership for the Tropical Forest Margins has conducted biophysical, socioeconomic and institutional research on the tradeoffs associated with alternative land uses in the humid tropics. Building on previous research at the ASB benchmark sites, this paper presents spatially-explicit analyses of the trade offs between carbon and economic returns in three sites in Indonesia, and one site in each of Peru and Cameroon. Located in the humid forest zones of Southeast Asia, the Amazon basin, and Central Africa, these sites represent a range of the conditions that shape tree and forest management across the humid tropics. Indonesia is particularly distinguished by having the world’s highest levels of land-based emissions of greenhouse gases and largest CO2 emissions from conversion of peat lands.
Avoided Deforestation with Sustainable Benefits: East Kalimantan Land Cover Changes 1990’s – 2005
Abstract not found
Analysis of the economic efficiency and comparative advantage of the Sumatran smallholder rubber Using ‘PAM Method
Rubber plays, at least, five important roles in the Indonesian economy that pushes economic growth through positive backward as well as forward linkages. First, as the income source of a substantial number of rubber smallholder. Of the national rubber area of 3.50 million hectares in 1995, 2.95 million hectares (84.5 percent) constituted smallholder rubber, involving 1.47 million farm households (DGE, 1996). In some monoculture areas, rubber farm becomes the principal source of smallholders’ income. Second, as one of the promising business investment areas by large scale companies such as state-owned companies (Perseroan Terbatas Perkebunan, PTP), domestic private companies (Perkebunan Besar Swasta Nasional, PBSN), or foreign private companies (Perkebunan Besar swasta Asing, PBSA), in addition to smallholders. In 1995, rubber area of PTP, PBSN and PBSA respectively accounted for 248,393 hectares, 239,850 hectares and 294,824 hectares (DGE, 1996). The total value of rubber investment during the first long term development stage (1.969-1994) was 2,153 million US dollars, 28.84 percent and 71.16 percent of which were respectively allocated for large scale companies and smallholders (PT IDU and WHAD, 1996). Third, as an agro-industrial development corner stone. Traditionally, primary rubber produce has been the only source of raw material for rubber processing industries to produce semi-finished goods for export, such as SIR (Standard Indonesian Rubber), RSS (Ribbed Smoked Sheets), crepe, etc.
A review of pasture and fodder production and productivity for small ruminants in the Sahel
The focus of this review is on feed scarcity, prompting a series of studies on woody fodder species used in sheep feeding. Despite the human pressure on land and climate change, restoration experiences of rangelands (direct sowing, water harvesting techniques, livestock density control, etc.) proved to be successful, both environmentally and economically. Smallholder households increase their use of trees in agricultural landscapes to improve food security, nutrition, income, health, shelter, social cohesion, energy resources and environmental sustainability.
Suitability analysis and projected climate change impact on banana and coffee production zones in Nepal
The Government of Nepal has identified opportunities in agricultural commercialization, responding to a growing internal demand and expansion of export markets to reduce the immense trade deficit. Several cash crops, including coffee and bananas, have been identified in the recently approved Agriculture Development Strategy. Both of these crops have encouraged smallholder farmers to convert their subsistence farming practices to more commercial cultivation. Identification of suitable agro-ecological zones and understanding climate-related issues are important for improved production and livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Here, the suitability of coffee and banana crops is analyzed for different agro-ecological zones represented by Global Environmental Stratification (GEnS). Future shifts in these suitability zones are also predicted. Plantation sites in Nepal were geo-referenced and used as input in species distribution modelling. The multi-model ensemble model suggests that climate change will reduce the suitable growing area for coffee by about 72% across the selected emission scenarios from now to 2050. Impacts are low for banana growing, with a reduction in suitability by about 16% by 2050. Bananas show a lot of potential for playing an important role in Nepal as a sustainable crop in the context of climate change, as this study indicates that the amount of area suited to banana growing will grow by 40% by 2050. Based on our analysis we recommend possible new locations for coffee plantations and one method for mitigating climate change-related problems on existing plantations. These findings are expected to support planning and policy dialogue for mitigation and support better informed and scientifically based decision-making relating to these two crops. © 2016 Ranjitkar et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Biofuels in China: an analysis of the opportunities and challenges of Jatropha curcas in Southwest China
Over the past decade China has quietly emerged as the world’s third largest biofuel producer. Concerned over rising food prices, in June 2 007 China’s central government banned the use of grain-based feedstocks for biofuel production and reoriented the country’s bioenergy plans toward perennial crops grown on marginal land. One such crop, Jatropha curcas, has emerged as a high potential biodiesel feedstock because of its adaptability to the di verse growing conditions where China’s marginal land is abundant. Pr ovincial governments in Southwest China, for instance, have drafted ambitious plans to increase Jatropha by over one million hectares in the next decade. This paper analyzes the opportuni ties and challenges for the development of a Jatropha industry in Southwest China. Given th e scarcity of data on Jatropha productivity and economics, we argue that plans to rapidly expand Jatropha acreage and refining capacity could jeopardize the industry’s longer-term viability. Alternatively, a commitm ent to silvicultural, engineering, and economic research could se t the industry on a more sustainable path.