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Commonwealth Forestry News     {short description of image}

No. 4

March 1999

ISSN 1463-3868


Contents

Chairman's column
Association News
   Executive Committee
   In Memoriam:
   AGM
   CFA Branches

Around The World
   Tropical Forests in Decline
   An American Green in Europe

Forest Scenes
   Logging and the Great Barrier Reef
   Remember the paperless office?

Special features
   CIF on public participation
   Tensions and synergies in forest policy
   Model Forests
   Sustainable management of forests

News of members and friends
   Ms Evelynne Wrangler President of CIF
   CIF Awards
   Tropical Forest Forum

Research
   Forest Research NZ
Education
   Bulolo University College PNG
   The Forestry and Timber College PNG

Correspondence
   Low forest cover
CFA Initiatives
   International Forestry Review
CFA Membership

The international newsletter of the Commonwealth Forestry Association

"To promote the well-being of the world's forest and those who depend on them."

CFA. Administrative Office: Oxford Forestry Institute, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RB, UK. Telephone:[+44]1865 271037 Facsimile: [+44]1865 275074. E. mail: cfa_oxford@hotmail.com
Editor CFNews:
Philip Wardle, 3 Charles Hill, Elstead, GU8 6LE,Surrey,U.K.
Telephone, Facsimile:-[+44]01252702204.
E-mail: 101656.1772@compuserve.com


Chairman's column

The Queen's Award for Forestry 1999

Her Majesty the Queen has graciously consented to lend her name to the honour given periodically by the Commonwealth Forestry Association and known as the Queen's Award for Forestry. The CFA is one of the few international organisations to honour and to publicise persons who are making an outstanding contribution to international forestry. "Forestry" is interpreted in its widest sense, embracing any aspect of the management, conservation and sustainable use of trees, forests and other wooded lands for the benefit of humankind, at the national, regional or global level. It can thus be awarded for outstanding work entirely in one country and it is not confined to those in the international field alone. This flagship award of the CFA is open to Commonwealth citizens in mid career (age generally about 50 or below)

The award takes the form of a scroll signed by Her Majesty, who is Patron of the Association, and funds to support a travel fellowship. This is to enable the successful candidate to share his or her knowledge and experience and to become involved in the development or improvement of forestry elsewhere in the Commonwealth, and with particular emphasis on assisting and networking amongst developing countries. The inaugural award was presented by Her Majesty The Queen in April, 1988, on the occasion of the Australian Bicentennial Forestry Conference and since then a total of five awards have been made, to candidates from Australia, India, Malaysia and Zimbabwe.

The number of Awards that can be made and their value is governed by the funds which the Commonwealth Forestry Association can assemble for the purpose. The Association is very grateful for the support of donors to the fund over the years, but there is much scope for increasing the activities of the Award and for widening our appeal for contributions to the fund.

The Awards are recommended to Her Majesty by the Governing Council of the Association on the advice of its selection Committee. Notice of future Awards and their number will normally be given in the Association's publications six to eight months before the award is due to be made. They will also be transmitted formally to each country directly, and for awards that are to be made at the periodic Commonwealth Forestry Conferences, via the Standing Committee on Commonwealth Forestry. This is an invitation to nominate candidates for the 1999 award.

The Executive Committee of the Association has set up procedures for recommendation and selection which ensure, as far as possible, that opportunities to qualify for the Award are freely and equally available to all Commonwealth countries.

from JAG MAINI Chairman and PETER WOOD
Vice President and Convenor of the Queen's Award Committee


Association News

Executive Committee

The next meeting of the Executive Committee is rescheduled for March 26th. An important matter on the agenda of that session is consideration of a standard framework for the constitution of national branches consistent with the Association's Charter.


In Memoriam

We regret to announce the deaths of G.A. Dolan and Peter Olsen, New Zealand, G.L.Carson* C.W. Holloway and A.B.Walton, UK. -*Note - An obituary notice is published in IFR 78(1).


CFA AGM 27-28 May 1999

The Annual General Meeting of the Association will be held at Boughton House, Northamptonshire at 2 p.m. 28 May, by kind invitation of our President, the Duke of Buccleuch.

On Thursday 27 May, there will be an afternoon excursion to the Fineshade block of the Forestry Commission's Rockingham Forest, followed by an evening gathering. On the morning of 28 May, we shall be welcomed to the Boughton estate by the Duke of Buccleuch and will tour the woods and grounds. A formal lunch will be held at Boughton House and the AGM will take place there at two o'clock.

A separate booking form is enclosed with issue Vol 78(1) of the Review. Members are urged to register their intention to attend with the Secretary of CFA, Miss Michelle Leeks, as soon as possible.


CFA Branches

Vice President in Zimbabwe

Peter Wood was in Zimbabwe in November and met with Johnson Mhungu, CFA National Chairman and Regional Vice-Chairman, and Peter Gondo, CFA National Secretary/Treasurer. Both Johnson and Peter are keen to have another CFA meeting in Zimbabwe. The preferred subject would be the Proposed Global Forestry Convention, about which there is very little debate in Africa. The coverage could be SADCC. They also considered ideas for annual reporting on activities of national CFA branches. A report on one side of A4 covering Date and attendance at AGM, elections and re-elections of officers, a list of other meetings and activities during the year, a short financial summary (fuller accounts and bank statement to be an attachment) and a note on important suggestions from the committee and members. The recommended action for CFA is to prepare a non-burdensome format for annual reporting for all national branches and regional officers. On financial matters they noted that the Zimbabwe do!!llar has been severely devalued and even a subscription of GBP 10.00 is hard to find since salaries have not risen, so the ability to increase membership is in doubt. It would be good to find ways of reducing cost to ensure the possibility of expanding membership, so important professionally. The feasibility of local printing from camera ready text of IFR and CFNews were considered possibilities.

from PETER WOOD Vice President


Inaugural Meeting - Zambia Branch

The inaugural meeting of the new CFA Zambia/Lusaka Branch held on 27th November 1998, was opened by chairperson Mrs Bessie Chibesa Kankasa. (Mrs Kankasa was the first Zambian High Commissioner to Kenya after independence.) The inaugural meeting took place at the Chairperson's house, with 27 people present - about half the total membership. About a third of those present were women. The meeting began with introductions from all present, all of whom expressed their commitment to the wise use of Zambia's forests and to the CFA mission. The members come from many walks of life, including professional forestry.

Peter Wood, Vice President, addressed the meeting, expressing the best wishes and warmest congratulations of the President, Chairman and members of the Association and specific greetings from the Zimbabwe branch. He outlined some of the aims and achievements of the CFA and circulated some pictures of the 1996 presentation of the Queen's Award to Dr Thang. The first CFNews Book Prize was then presented to Victor Kawanga and Singy Hanyona to general acclaim. This prize was awarded in commemoration of the contribution to African Forestry of the late Martin Rukuba of Uganda, and endowed by Martin's wife and family. A special CFA calendar for 1999 prepared by a member who is also an artist was then circulated after which the chairperson, Mrs Kankasa, presented the Association with a copper plaque of an elephant to commemorate the occasion, which will be displayed in the CFA's Oxford office.

The meeting was recorded on video by Marian Mukubani. The Vice President gave an interview to a reporter from the Zambian Mail and was announced on Zambia Radio.

from PETER WOOD Vice President


Papua New Guinea grows a Branch

The first meeting of the PNG Branch of CFA took place in the PNG Forest Association board room 24th November 1998. Bob Newman, CFA Vice President and Regional Vice-Chairman for the Asia and Pacific Region, introduced the Mission Statement and the general background of the CFA, stressing the CFA mission to promote good management use and conservation of forests throughout the world. The collaborative effort to develop national and international policies in support of good forestry practice is backed up by the exchange of information and publications such as the International Forestry Review and the provision of opportunities to enhance skills between nations.

The meeting considered a proposal formally to establish the PNG Branch but decided to do this later, ensuring full representation of members could be present. In the meantime Martin Golman was co-opted as interim Branch Secretary to liaise with CFA and mobilise members to register. It was emphasised that the CFA Branch was not a competing agency, but an internationally recognised forestry association which could assist both individuals and organisations like the PNG Foresters Association in fostering sustainable forest management practices. Congratulations to the nine new members of CFA in PNG and to the National Forest Service and Forest Industries Association joining as corporate members.

from MARTIN GOLMAN CFA Interim Branch Secretary PNG


Chairman visits India Branch

Jag Maini, CFA Chairman, had discussions with Mr Oberoi and Mr Bahaguna, Chairman and Vice-Chairman, and other members of the India Branch during a visit to Delhi in November and discussed the efforts through a special working party to improve communications between CFA Headquarters and the Indian membership.


Around the World

Tropical Forests in Decline

The CIDA Forestry Advisers Network (CFAN) has produced a new FORESTRY ISSUES paper entitled "Deforestation: Tropical Forests in Decline" by John Roper, forest conservation consultant, and Ralph W. Roberts, Senior Forestry Adviser of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

The paper examines the extent of tropical deforestation in developing countries, its causes and consequences, and prospects for more sustainable land use alternatives. It has been prepared as a contribution to the general public's better understanding of the complex social, economic, and environmental issues that surround tropical deforestation.

There are approximately 2,000 million hectares of tropical forests in the world. They represent an enormously valuable resource in terms of the diverse economic products and environmental services they provide. At the present time, 14 to 16 million hectares of tropical forests are being converted each year to other land uses, mostly agricultural. The principal agents of deforesting -- those individuals who are cutting down the forests include slash-and-burn farmers, commercial farmers, ranchers, loggers, firewood collectors, infrastructure developers and others.

The predisposing conditions that favour deforestation include poverty, greed, quest for power, population growth, and illiteracy. The indirect causes of deforestation include inappropriate government policies, land hunger, national and global market forces, the undervaluation of natural forests, weak government institutions, and social factors. The more visible direct causes of deforestation include the land uses that compete with the natural forests (e.g. agriculture, logging, ranching, infrastructure development, and mining and petroleum exploration). Logging, fuelwood collection, and tree plantations also have a role in the deforestation phenomena. The economic and environmental consequences of deforestation are profound, making it one of the most critical issues facing our global society.

While it is impossible to stop deforestation for the foreseeable future, there are many opportunities for bringing it under control and minimize its negative impacts. Alternatives include the protection and management of remaining forests, socioeconomic development in rural areas, and policy and institutional reforms.

The full text is available in English, French, and Spanish at http://www.rcfa-cfan.org

from RALPH ROBERTS Regional Vice-Chairman, North America


An American Green in Europe

Patrick Mazza reporting back to the Association of State Green Parties in the U.S. comments on what he describes as a hugely exciting, even intoxicating moment, to visit with European Greens. Greens on the continent have reached a level of power and influence of which U.S. Greens can still only dream. A week before his European meeting, German Greens completed their coalition negotiations with the SPD, giving them several cabinet posts including Foreign and Environment ministries. Green parties also hold cabinet-level environment positions in France, Italy, Finland, Georgia and Slovakia. Active in 30 European nations, Greens have over 200 seats in 16 national legislatures, and are part of the ruling coalition in seven of those nations-those mentioned above plus Portugal and Bulgaria. In addition, they possess the balance of power in the Swedish Parliament-The Social Democrats cannot govern without them. Greens also hold 28 seats in the European Parliament.

He notes however that Greens actually lost a half percent in recent German and Swedish elections. In both cases, advocacy for higher prices on fossil fuels - eco-taxes - was the reason. The message up front has to be that taxes on "bads" such as over-consumption of resources will be used to cut taxes on "goods" such as income.

Extract from Patrick Moore, www.greenspirit.com

from JIM BALL Regional Vice-Chairman, Europe


Forest Scenes

Logging and the Great Barrier Reef

"The Great Barrier Reef, meant to be one of the most strictly protected natural wonders of the world, is dying because of the insatiable Western appetite for prawn cocktails, and a combination of other human activities including tourism, logging and oil shale mining". The Guardian 14.1.1999

· Well it seems to be mainly a problem of trawling for prawns, but why the mention of 'logging'? Is it mandatory?


Remember the paperless office?

In an article in its 19th December 1998 issue, the Economist reports on this technological revolution that has refused to happen. The use of paper for writing and printing has soared in the past ten years - in Britain it is up by 65% per head. The fastest growth this century came in the 1980s, just as the personal computer was spreading. In the past five years, while the Internet has boomed, production of printing and writing paper in North America has grown by 13%. Worldwide it has doubled since 1982. The article goes on to describe some of the manifestations of this proliferation in junk mail, newspapers and magazines but also the 860 billion pages that spewed out of electronic devices in homes and offices. The article identifies some of the reasons for continued preference for the printed page and some of the technologies which will tend to maintain the proliferation.

· But why, asks Per Jerkeman (letters, the Economist 16th January 1999), is this under the misleading title "Bad news for trees"? (Particularly misleading since after the title no tree, nor any effect on one, is mentioned.)

Jerkeman argues that the title merely fuels a widespread misconception. He writes 'There is no conflict between growth in paper consumption and sustainable forestry. Wood is a renewable raw material. All serious investigations show that there will be no shortage in raw materials for paper production, even with much higher consumption than today. A prerequisite for sustainable forestry with reforestation and maintenance of biodiversity, is a healthy demand for products. So future growth in paper consumption is good news for trees.'


Special feature - on participation

CIF on public participation

The Canadian Institute of Forestry calls for establishment and implementation of public participation for all levels of forest decision making and commends training for both professionals and lay citizens in approaches and techniques to make it productive.

Until recently, forest decision making in Canada was carried out mainly by managers employed by timber tenure holders and by government. Now citizens are playing an increasingly meaningful direct role. For most public policy issues, citizen participation has become an accepted element of decision-making. The Canadian public owns 90% of the country's forests and therefore has responsibilities and rights to participate in determining their future.

Conflict over the management and use of public forests arise among forest users and between users and urban based environmental organisations and citizens. Productive public involvement in forest decision making can, on the one hand, prevent unnecessary conflict, and on the other, channel existing and new conflicts into the collaborative search for solutions. There are ample opportunities for public participation. Planning exercises for public forests are undertaken for each forest every five or ten years. Regional land-use strategies and provincial and national policy development processes are also prime opportunities for engaging the public in forest decision making. Recently even private forest owners are realising that careful involvement of the local public can improve public relations and may even increase revenues.

Forest owners have the right to manage their lands for their own objectives and the responsibility to involve in decision making all persons who may be affected by such management. Agency managers of public forest lands have the responsibility to ensure that citizens have ample opportunity to make meaningful input into decision making at all levels. Citizens have the right to become involved and the responsibility to become adequately prepared to make meaningful input. Resource professionals have the responsibility to provide timely, unbiased and relevant information for public deliberations. All parties have the responsibility to work together constructively in the search for innovative solutions to forest management problems.

Public participation in forest decision making in Canada is rapidly moving through its adolescence. The public is involved in provincial and national forest policy discussions as well as local public forest management planning exercises. Forestry professionals are displaying a welcome openness and considerable energy for acquiring public advice on their decisions.

In endorsing the concept of public involvement in forest decision making CIF supports the following attributes of such participation:- a) a balance of inputs; b) an informed public; c) a strong consideration of future generations, consistent with sustained development; d) clear definition of rights, responsibilities and the role of all parties; e) respect for legal rights of forest tenure holders; f) consistency with principles of National forest programmes.

from PETER DUINKER CIF


Tensions and synergies in forest policy

The Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) hosted a 7-day workshop in November 1998 with the Australian National University, the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and Oxford Forestry Institute on "Globalisation and localisation: tensions and synergies in forest policy".

The tensions between globalisation and localisation pose many challenges to those concerned with national and sub-national forest policies. Stakeholders at all levels compete for influence; pressures for stronger international governance of forest issues are paralleled by those for greater devolution of authority; extra-sectoral influences seem to overwhelm policies for forest conservation and sustainable management. In keeping with its expanding role in forest policy research, CIFOR is exploring ways to contribute to the policy work on this subject with emphasis on policy dialogue among smaller groups and with a more regional focus. This workshop brought together 20 participants included policy analysts and researchers, and forest managers from governments, research institutes and universities around the world.

The workshop focused on CIFOR research on community and stakeholder representation in decision-making and current reforms in Indonesian policies affecting forests and in particular IIED's six-country study, "Policy that works for forests and people". The latter suggested a number of characteristics common to the more successful policy processes:

As well as Steve Bass's "adverse consequences of policy inflation paralleled by capacity collapse", participants saw national and sub-national policies about forests as critical to addressing the tensions and harnessing the synergies between the powerful forces of globalisation and localisation. It was evident from diverse experiences around the globe that, even in an era of globalisation, policies which were beneficial for both forests and people could only be developed and implemented on relatively local scales.

Further information: Dave Edmunds, CIFOR: d.edmunds@cgiar.org and james.mayers@iied.org

from PETER KANOWSKI


Model Forests

The Canadian Forest Service initiated the concept of model forests in 1992 (see for example Bouman and Kulshreshtha in CFR 77(4) 1998). The initiative has moved on from involving 10 forests in Canada to formulating an international network with the establishment of model forests in Russia, Chile, Japan, USA and Mexico. Model forests are developing in Malaysia, Argentina, China and Vietnam and there is interest in the idea in Poland, Indonesia, Southern Africa, Australia and the UK. The Waswanipi Cree community joined the network in 1997 They have developed a community consultation process to ensure that forest management decisions respect the needs of community members who practise traditional land use, trapping and fishing. The Chiloe Model Forest in Chile involves an extensive partnership base including government and regional agencies, the Catholic Church, environmental NGOs, universities, community associations, indigenous groups and private forest land!!owners. The object is sustainable use of natural resources, conserving biodiversity, protecting the environment and improving the living conditions for rural families and indigenous communities. - http://www.idrc.ca/imfn

from FREDERICK B. JOHNSON International Model Forest Network, Canada


The sustainable management of forests in the UK

The UK Government published "Sustainable Development: Opportunities for Change" in February 1998, and in July a supplementary consultation paper to seek views on how forestry can most effectively make its contribution to sustainable development. The approach was prepared by the Forestry Commission and Department for Agriculture for Northern Ireland in consultation with the Department for International Development.

In particular it sought views:

The request for views was set out in the form of 16 questions each preceded by a succinct presentation of the background and issues involved as seen by the authors.

Issues that emerged most strongly were:

Many respondents argued that forestry is relevant to a broad range of activities and disciplines, and called for greater cross-sectoral liaison and a softening of policy boundaries. (for example: agriculture and CAP reform, planning, transport, energy, plant health controls). A summary of the responses will be published in the near future, or can be obtained by e-mail from marcus.sangster@forestry.gov.uk.

Since the consultation the Government has published a forestry strategy for England, and we are likely to see similar strategies for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland once the new legislatures are in place. The revised UK Sustainable Development Strategy will be published in March.

from MARKUS SANGSTER GB Forestry Commission


News of members and friends

Ms Evelynne Wrangler President of CIF

The Canadian Institute of Forestry announces Evelynne Wrangler as the 61st President for its 91st year 1998/99. She is senior forestry advisor in the Forest Management Division, Land and Forest Service of Alberta, has participated in the Canada/United States softwood lumber consultations and was involved in both the 1992 and 1998 National Forestry Strategy. Evelynne has forestry degrees from the Universities of Alberta and British Columbia. She has served as President of Alberta Registered Professional Foresters Association, Chair of the Canadian Federation of Professional Foresters' Associations and Director of the Canadian Forestry Accreditation. Ms Wrangler, the Institute's first female President, will oversee implementation of the CIF's new strategic and communications plan and the banner issue - Stewardship through Partnership. The other members of the CIF executive are Ralph Roberts, Past President, Bruce Ferguson, 1s!!t Vice President and Gordon Stone, 2nd Vice President.


CIF forestry awards

The CIF mission, as national voice of forestry practitioners in Canada, is to advance stewardship of Canada's forest resources, provide national leadership in forestry, promote competence among forestry professionals and public awareness of Canadian and international forestry issues. The Institute makes annually a number of awards recognising outstanding achievement in forestry. These were presented at the CIF awards banquet in Ottawa in October 1998.

Dirk Birkman received the Canadian Forestry Achievement Award recognising his contribution in building up a company which has planted over half a billion seedlings, employing a thousand seasonal workers and running two nurseries producing 20 million seedlings a year.

Ted Boswell also received the Canadian Forestry Achievement Award recognising his contribution to the development of CSA/ISO certification process for forest management, his contribution to Canadian /US softwood lumber negotiations in protecting Canadian forestry interest; and his leadership roles as Director of Pulp and Paper Research Institute and Chair of the Canadian Pulp and Paper Association.

Mike Apsey received the International Forestry Achievement Award recognising his extensive activity in assignments in many countries of Latin America, Africa and Europe, his work as special advisor to the Canadian Government on preparation for UNCED and the follow up; and his service on the International Task Force convened by the WRI, World Bank and UNDP.

Brian Stocks received the Forestry Scientific Achievement Award recognising his leadership in forest fire research and his work on the Canadian forest fire weather index, fire behaviour prediction system and fire danger rating system. He has also worked with international research agencies on the global impact of forest fires on the environment and atmosphere.

Stephen Ginnish received the James M. Kitz Award recognising outstanding contributions to forestry made early in his career. Since 1989 he has conducted the forest management programme at the Eel Ground First Nation, improving the condition of the resource, securing training for the First Nation community in forest management - working with the elders on decision making, promoting the importance of environmental protection with school children. He also has a project to record knowledge of medicinal plants and spiritual and cultural practices.

Scouts of Canada also came in for a new Group Achievement Award recognising their significant role in the education of Canadian youth with respect to the natural environment, its conservation and forest management.


Tropical Forest Forum

CFA Vice-Chairman, Julian Evans, has taken over chairmanship of the UK's Tropical Forest Forum. He takes the position from another long standing member of the Association, Ronald Kemp, who as founder chairman of that organisation has succeeded in making the Forum a valued means of bringing together all those concerned with tropical forests.


Research

Forest Research NZ

The New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited is reporting involvement in some interesting initiatives across a wide range of forest related topics.

The institute has developed SmartForest, a computer tool which creates three-dimensional images of alternative forest practices and their impact on the landscape and the economic trade-off between various commercial operations and the scenic or recreational values which result.

A model called STANDPAK has a new feature which allows investors to identify the implications of silvicultural regimes in terms of carbon contained in stem, crown, forest floor and roots. This could become an important tool if a tradeable carbon certificate scheme, allowing carbon credits to forest owners, is introduced.

To check biosecurity risk, stands have been constructed at several NZ ports so that all six sides of containers can be inspected. All contaminants found - soil, plant and animal - material are analysed. Interim results on nearly 4000 containers showed that 39% of containers examined carried contaminants - pathogenic fungi, live insects, viable egg masses. It was considered likely that cleaning containers before loading in the port of origin may become a requirement.

PAPRO is working on the development of individual research portfolios in consultation with client companies to secure rapid focus and provide effective solutions to the critical technical issues of the pulp and paper industry. Work has been done to develop a TMP process for radiata pine using atmospheric presteaming giving equivalent quality at much lower capital cost than conventional TMP. To cut energy demands and the need to add nitrogen and phosphorous in biological waste water treatment systems, a new NFIX system has been developed providing operating conditions for specific nitrogen fixing micro-organisms to obtain nitrogen directly from the atmosphere with savings in nutrient supplements and aeration as well as a reduction in solid wastes.

As well as their wide range, these examples illustrate the effective social and commercial orientation of R&D.

from Forest Research (NZ) briefs


Education

Bulolo University College PNG celebrates 35th year with change

From next year the college will start using UNITECH's forest curriculum, however ensuring continuity in Forest Diploma training and maintaining the tradition of producing foresters with vigour and purpose. According to pro-Vice-Chancellor, Dr Philip Singuru, the integrated forest studies unit was part of an endeavour to produce professionals with the necessary skills, while at the same time providing them with a liberal based education. The Principal of the college, Mr Nahuet was presented with an axe by the graduating students on the occasion of this last graduation under the original curriculum

The National Forest Authority Director Thomas Nen told the 30 graduants that their graduation, the last under the original curriculum that has operated since the college opened its doors, marks a milestone in the history of forestry education. The 700 graduates of the past four decades have gone on to play significant roles in forestry and associated professions in Papua New Guinea and abroad, particularly in other South Pacific island countries.

Some of today's graduates will get jobs with government departments and statutory agencies, while others will venture into the private sector. The purpose of the forestry college has been to turn out the forester manager, an all-rounder who has the knowledge and tools to carry out varied tasks both in the public and private sectors. While there is a widespread belief that the forest industry in PNG was managed by foreigners, it would be good to see loggers and timber processors making more use of home grown and trained forestry manpower.

The Asian economic crisis has had a profound effect on the country's log exporting business stopping or scaling down operations with drastic effects on employment and foreign exchange earnings. The one bright star in the sky is the People's Republic of China which has experienced better growth than its neighbours, There have been signs of increasing interest by China for forest products and the forest authority is behind the move to open a trade office in China.

from Bob Newman, Vice President and Regional
Vice Chairman Asia and the Pacific


The Forestry and Timber College PNG

Principal Frank B. Corin writes about TFTC:- This is a residential college of Papua New Guinea University of Technology and is situated on the outskirts of Lea. The training is directly for the timber industry and consequently the emphasis is on "hands on" training. The college has an extensive industrial area with a large band sawmill, saw doctoring workshop, wood machining and work shop, timber treatment plant and dry kiln, log and timber yard, several small sawmills and a chainsaw section. These are operated on a semi-commercial basis providing direct training to industry standards.

Besides training for timber industry employees, training is offered in two apprenticeship areas - wood machining and saw doctoring. General courses are offered in log scaling, small sawmill operations, timber treatment, kiln drying, air seasoning, saw doctoring and chainsaw maintenance among other subjects. Continuous training is provided for people purchasing portable sawmills

As the timber industry develops in PNG and more use is made of the valuable forest resource, TFTC is training people to have relevant skills and experience to become tradesmen, skilled workers and future managers in the timber industry.- Post Courier PNG

from Bob Newman


Correspondence

Low forest cover

Roger Bradley, Vice President, writes from UK:

Responding to Gyde Lund's search for the definition of "low forest cover" I would like to make one or two points.

First I suggest IFF consider expanding the term which can mean a number of things - for example scrub or savannah-like tree cover or the opposite of "High forest". The addition of the words 'ratio of' would avoid these confusing terminological problems as most readers would understand that low ratios of forest cover referred to low proportions of forest in relation to total area or population. Ratios based on similar measures in the numerator and divisor are simpler to understand, thus using total area would thus seem the obvious choice.

This leads me to question the IFF assumption that their selected term needs to be defined in some specific (and therefore arbitrary) way. Any attempt to define a term which is essentially descriptive is in effect to fossilise it. The more flexible approach is to describe the issue in relation to several ratios. For example, if the discussion is about land use the ratio of forest area (suitably defined) to total area. If the discussion is about social or resource issues, the ratio between wooded area or, perhaps better still, available timber volume and population might be a useful descriptive parameter.

Gyde Lund writes from USA:

The Intergovernmental Forum on Forests (IFF) identified countries of Low Forest Cover (LFC) as being of special concern. IUFRO requested its members to undertake a short term study to develop a definition of LFC. The draft sent to IUFRO covers some of the problems involved with developing a definition and offers four different options.

It seems that the purpose of the definition is to allow someone (decision-makers wherever) to take action when forest cover is deemed to be 'low' for a country. The action could be internal to the country (remedial action to prevent further loss, action to extend forests, actions to address consequential environmental or social problems), or they could be taken external to a countrysuch as consumer pressure to limit sales or purchases of products from LFC countries. The idea appears to be that if a country is an LFC and is identified as such, then 'something' can be initiated to do something about it.

We found four possible bases for definitions: the ratio of forest cover to total land area, the ratio of current forest area per capita, the ratio of current forest area to historic area and a combination were the most popular. Each presents a different picture and requires different information.

1. Ratio of forest cover to total land area - Forest area/land area is a measure of environmental scarcity of forests. It is usable in policy-making on the forests impact on timber-production, different environmental qualities and reflects the importance of forest in the landscape. The data are readily available from the FAO.

1.2. Examples: A listing of countries having less than 10 percent forest and other wooded lands (FOWL) or a similar listing but only for forest land. Note that most of the countries found are arid and the delineation becomes more difficult, so it may be preferable to consider FOWL rather than forest land.

3. Ratio of current forest area per capita - Forest area/capita is a measure of physical supply available to match the human demand for forest goods and services. The ratio gives you an idea of populationpressure on forest resources. It is usable in policy-making on afforestation or for recreational and leisure.

2.4 Example: listing of countries having less than 0.73 ha of FOWL per capita. Using a threshold base on the average amount of forest and other wooded lands needed to support one human being Lund (1998) calculated a crude estimate of the minimum FOWL/capita to be 0.73 ha.

5. Ratio of current forest area to historic or potential forest area - This is a measure land capability to grow forest or forest resources forgone. The latter can be measured using potential vegetation maps. The World Conservation and Monitoring Centre and the World Resources Institute have estimates of "original" forest going back to 8000 years ago

3.6 Example: listing of countries with less than 10 percent of their original forest land remaining.

7. Combinations: A first filter could distinguish between countries that have large potential and limited potential for increasing their cover through re/afforestation. A second, per capita forest cover, could identify those countries where the forest resource base is under the greatest strain from current demographic pressure.

4.8 Example: we did a sort using the following sequence - first, all countries having less than 10 % FOWL cover. Next we sorted these countries to see which had less than 10 percent remaining of their original forest land. Finally we sorted those remaining countries that had less than 0.73 FOWL per capita. This gave us an indication of where forest resources are scarce due to land conversion and where demand would be high.

If forced to choose only one option, a population-based ratio is the most informative indicator. If, as the saying goes, the past is prologue, then population dynamics will remain a key factor - though certainly not the only factor - demanding consideration by all parties interested in achieving "sustainable" resource management.

Tage Michaelsen, Secretariat, Intergovernmental Forum on Forests writes from the UN New York:

It is proposed to hold an International Meeting on "Special Needs and Requirements of Developing Countries with Low Forest Cover" in 1999, organised by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in co-operation with other interested countries and international organisations.


CFA Initiatives

Introducing the first issue!
The International Forestry Review

incorporating the Commonwealth Forestry Review
Vol 78 (1) March 1999

Editorial: The Review
J S MAINI

A view from FAO
H. El LAKANY

PAPERS

Organising forestry research to meet the challenges of the Information Age
N. BYRON and J. SAYER

The application of social assessment in the Australian Regional Forest Agreement Process
S. COAKES and M. FENTON

Forestry in Mongolia
A. J. AHLBÄCK

Value adding options for NTFP at primary producer level
R. PRASAD, S. DAS and S. SINHA

Forestry policy and the development of the solid wood processing industry in Indonesia
A. WHITEMAN and N. SCOTLAND

RESEARCH NOTES

Enrichment planting of mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla)
M. DICKINSON and D.F.WHIGHAM

COMMENT

Sustainable social forestry and society
E. F. BRUENIG

Using sound to evaluate standing timber
R. ROSS

DNA and taxonomic revision
S.A. HARRIS


CFA Membership

New Members in 1998

Jag Maini Chairman and all of us in the Association take this opportunity of welcoming the 65 new members of CFA and 13 new subscribers to the IFR/CFR in 1998:-

ARGENTINA
Mr F. Boldes

AUSTRALIA
Mr M.R. Crees-Morris, Mr P.R. Hyder-Griffiths, Mr D.T. Quill, Mr A. Ralph, Mr P.W. Rose.

AUSTRIA
Dr H-J. Woll

BANGLADESH
Mr G. Habib, Mr M. Islam, Mr M. Kanti Roy, Mr M.A. Kashem, Mr A.A.H. Khan.

CANADA
Mr T.G. Thompson.

ECUADOR
Mr D.M. Thomas

FRANCE
ENGREF Ecole Nationale du Genie Rurel des Eaux erdes Forets.

GERMANY
Dr D. Schone

GHANA
FAO-RAFR Library.

INDIA
Mr A.K. Srivastava, Mr.L.Srivastava.

IRELAND
Mr B. Jarvis.

JAPAN
Mr H.M. Thein.

MALAYSIA
Dr S. Appanah.

NETHERLANDS
Presupuesto Eut

NIGERIA
Mrs A.F. Somade.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Mr M. Golman, Mr B.H. Kiki, Mr R. Loyer, Mr K. Piloe, Mr K. Pouru, Mr G. Samol, Dr Siargura, Mr B. Tate, Mr P. Tiong.

SOUTH AFRICA
Mr R. Frost, H.L. Hall & Sons, Prof. D.D. Tewari.

TANZANIA
Mr V.G. Nambombe. . 1021 1998

THAILAND
Mr C.T.S. Nair.

U.K.
Mr. S. Akhter, Miss N. Baker, Ms E.G.K. Boyd, Mr C. Buss, Consolidation PLUS (HARPA), Dr. P.H.M. Costa, Ms J. Haworth, Mr A. Iles, Mrs H. Kuhon-Loa, Mr V.C. Kwashirai, Library & Learning Resources, Miss K.A. Liston, Mr S. Marti, Mr Mhd Al-Amin, Mrs P. Mitchell, Miss T. Ogilvy, Mr J. Paul, Readworld Publications Ltd, Mrs I.A. Richardson, Mr B. Roberts, Mr D. Sarshar, Mr S. Speed, Mr B.M. Stewart, The Earl of Rosebery, Mr R. Turner, Mr A.S. West.

U.S.A.
Biblioteca Conmemorativa Orton, Yale University Forestry Library.

UGANDA
Mr J.B. Byamah.

ZAMBIA
Prof. E.N. Chidumayo.

ZIMBABWE
Mr W.C. Johnstone.

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Developing Country member 10 Subscriber 100
Student member 10

Membership is available to anyone throughout the world with an interest in forestry!

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