Save secondary forests too<\/p>\n
Cesar Sabogal, CIFOR scientist, Bogor, West Java<\/p>\n
\"Save our forests\" has been a familiar catchphrase in the
\nmedia for the past 20 years. And the message has been pretty much
\nthe same during that time: More effort is needed to save the
\npristine rainforests in South America, Indonesia and around the
\nworld.<\/p>\n
Such demands deserve the attention of each and every one of
\nus. However, in focusing only on saving unspoiled forests, we
\noverlook the millions of hectares of damaged primary forests and
\nsecondary forests.<\/p>\n
This in no way suggests we should write off primary forests in
\nfavor of secondary forests. Primary forests must remain at the
\nforefront of our thinking. But at the same time, it is
\nappropriate we now acknowledge that if they are managed properly,
\ndamaged primary forests and secondary forests can contribute
\nsignificantly to the world's environmental and economic well-
\nbeing. In doing so, these damaged and secondary forests can
\nprovide an alternative resource to primary forests and lend
\nresonance to the \"save our forests\" cry.<\/p>\n
Secondary forests are of major interest to the International
\nTropical Timber Organization (ITTO) Council, meeting this week in
\nBali. The ITTO is one of the world's largest forums for countries
\nthat produce and consume tropical timber. Items for discussion at
\nthe ITTO session in Bali include guidelines for the management of
\nsecondary forests, the restoration of degraded primary forests
\nand the rehabilitation of degraded tropical lands.<\/p>\n
The management of secondary forests is particularly relevant
\nto Indonesia, where 21 percent of forestland is degraded.
\nCertainly it is an issue the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry is
\naddressing by developing production forest management units for
\nmanaging forest concession areas, including post-extraction
\nsecondary forests, based on conservation, sustainability and
\nsound business principles.<\/p>\n
Degradation of forests is primarily the result of human
\nactivities and is exacerbated by poverty and population pressure
\non the one hand, and human greed on the other. In addition to
\nexcessive logging, human activities that profoundly impact on
\nforests include over-harvesting, over-grazing and repeated fires.<\/p>\n
Degraded primary forests and secondary forests include all
\nforests and forestlands that have been altered beyond the normal
\neffects of natural processes through unsustainable use. Degraded
\nprimary forests refers to forests whose old-growth cover has been
\nso affected by unsustainable use they no longer have the capacity
\nto fully recover in the near to medium term without management
\nintervention. Secondary forests occur where land has been cleared
\nof its original forest vegetation and woody vegetation has taken
\nover.<\/p>\n
If properly managed, both types of forests have the potential
\nto generate significant environmental and economic benefits.
\nUnder certain conditions they can reduce pressure on primary
\nforests through their potential to produce both wood and non-wood
\nforest products. Furthermore, they fulfill environmental
\nfunctions and can play a useful role in biodiversity
\nconservation.<\/p>\n
Of major interest to the ITTO is the implementation of its
\nguidelines for improving the world's estimated 500 million
\nhectares of degraded tropical forests. Prepared by several
\nenvironmental agencies, including the Indonesian-based Center for
\nInternational Forestry Research (CIFOR), the guidelines advocate
\na collaborative approach that recognizes the priorities and
\nobjectives of concerned stakeholders in rehabilitating degraded
\nforest areas and secondary forests.<\/p>\n
Degraded and secondary forests are often used by the poorer
\nsegments of rural populations to supplement their livelihoods.
\nThey are accessible to local people and can provide a range of
\ngoods that meet immediate livelihood concerns, such as timber for
\nvillage dwellings, fencing and posts, spices, herbal medicines
\nand culturally important artifacts.<\/p>\n
A large portion of these lands can also support food
\nproduction with improved land use practices such as agroforestry
\ntechniques. In addition, degraded primary forests and secondary
\nforests are today the largest land reserve for agriculture and
\nlivestock production. If conversion into these land-uses is
\nadequately planned and the converted areas properly managed,
\nthey can minimize local pressure on the remaining primary
\nforests.<\/p>\n
There remain, however, large tracts of degraded and secondary
\nforests that cannot be economically converted specifically for
\nagriculture or intensive tree crop development. They are also
\nfinancially less attractive for commercial timber exploitation.<\/p>\n
In many instances, however, they have considerable potential
\nto be rehabilitated and managed productively and sustainably
\nunder collaborative arrangements as multiple-use forests.<\/p>\n
Properly restored, managed and valued, secondary forests can
\noccupy an important role for the less intensive production of
\ntimber, wood and non-wood forest products for local and national
\nuse, and even international trade. Ultimately, this will help
\nreduce poverty.<\/p>\n
CIFOR is playing a significant role in helping achieve this in
\nIndonesia. Working closely with Indonesia's private and public
\nsector, CIFOR is researching the sustainability and productivity
\nof small plantations on degraded and low potential land in the
\ntropics. But the challenge for the government, as it is for CIFOR
\nin its research, is to ensure the redevelopment process of
\nsecondary forests has the full participation of all stakeholders,
\nespecially those at the grassroots level who depend on forests
\nfor their day-to-day survival.<\/p>\n
For too long the emphasis on the \"save our rainforests\"
\nmessage has meant we have almost completely ignored the
\nimportance of secondary and damaged primary forest. While few
\nwould dispute the need to save the remaining pristine jungles
\naround the world, it is time we accepted that damaged primary
\nforests and secondary forests are more the rule than the
\nexception. As important environmental assets and a vital source
\nof local livelihoods, they deserve proper management.<\/p>\n
It is time the environmental and socio-cultural benefits of
\nthe restoration and management of degraded and secondary forests
\nwere fully recognized and endorsed at the national and
\ninternational levels. If sustainably developed, damaged and
\nsecondary forests can provide an economic alternative to
\nexploiting primary forests.<\/p>\n
Save our secondary forests too, and help save our primary
\nforests as well.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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