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.
Tag: case studies
Prediction of the impact of logging activities on forest cover: a case study in East province of Cameroon
Geographic information system techniques were used in combination with remote sensing data to define the net commercial value of standing timber at two sites (Batouri and Bertoua) in the East province of Cameroon. Observed forest cover modifications for the two sites were assessed in relation to the commercial accessibility of the forest areas. Results showed that, in one site, half of the very high rent areas have already been logged indicating that the unlogged high rent area is scarce and the low rent or marginal forest area remains largely unlogged. However, this was not the case throughout the study area as shown by the observations at the other site. The two main species exploited were sapelli (Entandrophragma cylindricum) and Ayous Triplochiton scleroxylon.
Forest management and terraced agriculture: case study of Hani of Ailao mountains, Yunnan
This case study of the Hani in the Ailao mountains of Yunnan, China, highlights the importance of forests in providing local ecological services that are essential for the system of terraced agriculture. The paper investigates local people’s knowledge of these ecological services, including water regulation and nutrient recycling, as well as the gender differences in the local knowledge of these services. The paper notes that the Hani have maintained the forest condition quite irrespective of its tenurial status. Contemporary forest policies and reforestation in the area are also discussed.
Appropriation of women’s indigenous knowledge: the case of matrilineal Lua in northern Thailand
The Lua, according to their mythology, are the original inhabitants of Thailand. Today, however, hey are regarded as ethnic minorities who inhabit this region. A study of their myths and legends reveals the importance of spirit cults, matriclans, and women’s role in the discovery, production, and trade of salt. The matriclan system is also established in the longhouses and their ocial structure. However, with the entry of the Thai state, power has shifed from the Lua women to Thai men who represent the state. This has also resulted in the appropriation of women’s traditional knowledge about the technology and rituals surrounding forest conservation and sustainable use of resources. Further, there has been a shift in gender relations in favor of men among the Lua people.
Indigenous communities’ knowledge of local ecological services
This paper investigates in detail the extensive indigenous knowledge of forest ecological services in 3 villages (Katwa, Karudih, and Hesadih) situated in the eastern plateau region of India. One aspect discussed is the indigenous knowledge on the influence of forests on water regimes and water quality. Differences in perceptions about the local ecological services and attendant practices within communities that are dependent on forests are then analysed under 2 contrasting land-tenure regimes, namely, community forests and state forests. It is argued that local ecological services are the missing link in designing plans for successful decentralization and sustainable management of forests.
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.
Development of a methodology for selecting criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management: a case study on participatory assessment
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.
Multiple criteria decision making approaches to assessing forest sustainability using criteria and indicators: a case study
This paper describe the use of multiple criteria decision tools for assessing criteria and indicators designed to evaluate sustainable forest management. Three techniques called ranking, rating, and pairwise comparisons are described and used within the framework of a generic set of criteria and indicators applied in a case study involving a forest concession in Kalimantan, Indonesia. For the case study, an assessment team consisting of national and international experts representing various disciplines was chosen to conduct an assessment of the forest concession. The criteria and indicators (C&I) developed by the Center for International Forestry Research were used as a reference. From this generic set of C&I, the assessment team made revisions to make the set more relevant to the prevailing conditions in the forest concession. This modified set was used in the assessment of the concession. Results from the study indicate that these techniques are effective tools both for selecting sets of criteria and indicators and eventually for prioritising them. The methods are highly transparent, easy to understand, and offer a convenient environment for participatory decision-making. These are desirable features of any evaluation but most especially for a complex assessment problem such as forest sustainability.
Balancing supply and demand: A case study of rattan in the Danau Sentarum national park, West Kalimantan, Indonesia
The Danau Sentarum National Park (DSNP), Kalimantan, Indonesia, covers 30 000 ha of lake and 81 000 ha of lowland, seasonally flooded forest. It is the largest network of inland lakes in Borneo. The park is inhabited by over 5500 Malay fishermen. Most of the fishing implements used by the local population are made from rattan, and large quantities of rattan are also harvested and sold to timber companies for lashing together rafts of logs. The 3 most commonly used species at DSNP are duri antu (Calamus schistoacanthus), duri tapah (Calamus tapa) and duri pelanduk (Ceratolobus hallierianus). Inventories indicate that the 3 rattans differ greatly in the number of harvestable clumps/ha (>4.0 m tall). The duri antu populations average over 900 clumps/ha, duri pelanduk grows at densities of 400-500 clumps/ha, and duri tapah averages only 50 clumps/ha. Based on the observed relationship between clump height and the number of canes/clump, it is estimated that there are over 34 000 duri antu canes/ha growing in the flooded forest of DSNP. An analysis of local demand, productivity and current harvest intensities reveals that local rattan resources are being gradually overexploited. Several fishing communities have started to manage their rattan resources by controlling harvests and rehabilitating and enriching natural stands.
Benefit sharing in context: A comparative analysis of 10 land-use change case studies in Indonesia
Key points
- In the absence of robust national or subnational policies for benefit sharing, land-use change initiatives in Indonesia have developed their own approaches to distributing benefits. At the local level, support and capacity building are needed to strengthen intermediary institutions in order to improve governance and increase legitimacy when deciding how to share benefits.
- Nonmonetary benefits such as land tenure, capacity building, infrastructure and access to natural resources have been especially important. However, in some cases there are nonmonetary burdens associated with intended benefits.
- The legitimacy of benefit-sharing arrangements is determined more by the actors involved than the type of land-use change associated with them. Conservation initiatives, REDD+ projects and oil palm initiatives all exhibited both high and low levels of legitimacy in their benefit-sharing arrangements.
- The legitimacy of benefit-sharing arrangements can be compromised by the lack of broad consultation with local actors including customary authorities, lack of community control over access to land snd limited livelihoods options for communities.