Sustaining conservation values in selectively logged tropical forests: the attained and the attainable

Conservation Letters

Francis E. Putz⁴  Pieter A. Zuidema⁶  Timothy Synnott⁵  Marielos Peña-Claros⁹  Michelle A. Pinard¹⁰  Douglas Sheil⁷  Jerome K. Vanclay⁸  Plinio Sist¹  Sylvie Gourlet-Fleury¹  Bronson Griscom³  John Palmer^2,4 

[1] CIRAD, Campus International de Baillarguet, TA C-36/D, 34398 Montpellier cedex 5, France;Forest Management Trust, 2724 West Cortez St., Chicago, IL 60622–3419, USA;The Nature Conservancy, 320 Franklin St., Harrisonburg, VA 22801, USA;Department of Biology, P.O. 118526, 209 Carr Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611–8526, USA;Paseo de las Cumbres 1050, Lomas de Lourdes, 25090 Saltillo, Coahuila, México;Prince Bernhard Chair for International Nature Conservation, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 TC Utrecht, the Netherlands;Institute of Tropical Forest Conservation, PO Box 44, Kabale, Uganda and Center for International Forestry Research, P.O. Box 0113 BOCBD, Bogor 16000, Indonesia;School of Environmental Science and Management, Southern Cross University, PO Box 157, Lismore, NSW, Australia;Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Centre for Ecosystem Studies, Wageningen University, PO Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands;Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences (IBES), University of Aberdeen, St Machar Drive, Cruickshank Building, Aberdeen AB24 3UU, UK

关键词: Biodiversity conservation;    FLEGT;    forest carbon;    REDD;    sustainable forest management;    tropical forestry;    tropical silviculture;   

DOI  :  10.1111/j.1755-263X.2012.00242.x

来源: Wiley

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

Most tropical forests outside protected areas have been or will be selectively logged so it is essential to maximize the conservation values of partially harvested areas. Here we examine the extent to which these forests sustain timber production, retain species, and conserve carbon stocks. We then describe some improvements in tropical forestry and how their implementation can be promoted.

 A simple meta-analysis based on >100 publications revealed substantial variability but that: timber yields decline by about 46% after the first harvest but are subsequently sustained at that level; 76% of carbon is retained in once-logged forests; and, 85–100% of species of mammals, birds, invertebrates, and plants remain after logging. Timber stocks will not regain primary-forest levels within current harvest cycles, but yields increase if collateral damage is reduced and silvicultural treatments are applied.

 Given that selectively logged forests retain substantial biodiversity, carbon, and timber stocks, this “middle way” between deforestation and total protection deserves more attention from researchers, conservation organizations, and policy-makers. Improvements in forest management are now likely if synergies are enhanced among initiatives to retain forest carbon stocks (REDD+), assure the legality of forest products, certify responsible management, and devolve control over forests to empowered local communities.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
©2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.