Introduction
Governance, planning, and management reforms are gradually modernizing approaches towards sustainable forest management (i.e. SFM), in many cases forests continue to be managed through conventional means with single or few objectives. These often fail to manage forests for their multiple functions, and are therefore unable to adapt to, integrate, or address the challenges faced by forests today. The implementation of SFM, however, requires an effective policy and regulatory framework across sectors and institutions.
SFM is often hampered by market distortions, a lack of ownership and secure forest land tenure, and governance failures. Moreover, SFM can only work where there is strong societal recognition of, and demand for, the multiple functions of forests, and a willingness among policymakers to prioritize the long-term benefits of forests and SFM over short-term economic gains.
Video Lecture
Please view the following voice-over-ppt presentations and videos for this topic.
Module 1 Lecture 2 Part A: Historical Background of International Development of SFM Concept
Transcript
Module 1 Lecture 2 Part B: Internationally Recognized Interpretations of SFM
Transcript
Module 1 Lecture 2 Video: BBC Documentary – The Magical Forest
Readings
- United Nations. (1992). Report of the United Nations conference on environment and development. Retrieved from http://www.un.org/documents/ga/conf151/aconf15126-3annex3.htm
- United Nations General Assembly. (2000). United Nations millennium declaration. Retrieved from http://www.refworld.org/docid/3b00f4ea3.html
- United Nations. (2008). Non-legally binding instrument on all types of forests. UN General Assembly. https://www.un.org/en/ga/second/62/draftproposals.shtml
- Wikie, M.L., Homgren, P., & Castaneda, F. (2003). Sustainable forest management and the ecosystem approach: two concepts, one goal. Forest Management Working Papers, Working Paper FM 25. Forest Resources Development Service, Forest Resources Division. Rome, Italy: FAO. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/forestry/6417-0905522127db12a324c6991d0a53571fa.pdf
- Collaborative Partnership on Forests. (2012). SFM fact sheet 3: SFM, food security and livelihoods. Available from http://www.cpfweb.org/76228/en/
Reflection Questions
Please answer the following self-reflection questions. After formulating your answers, you may post them online at the Knowledge Café for this course as a way to share your ideas and glean knowledge from other students’ responses.
- Reflect on the reasons for addressing SFM on the global level.
- What are the conditions needed for implementing SFM?