Florin Ioras

Trends in Romanian biodiversity conservation policy

Romanias commitment and ability to protect its environment inthe long term is challenged by several problems: insufficient financialmechanisms, monitoring, enforcement, and the information dissemination capacityof local environment protection agencies. History indicates that periods ofeconomic and social transition are very dangerous to biodiversity conservation.The demonstrated tendency during such periods gives priority to short-termincome-generating activities. Romanian conservation policy has had to adapt tothis change of circumstances. New sites have been included in the nationalprotected system and new legislation has been developed. But is this enough? Dothese satisfy progressive concepts and IUCN recommendations? This paper isintended to make recommendations, based on intersectoral participatoryplanning, for nature resources management. It focuses on how biodiversityconservation is being encouraged and developed at a national level.

Conservation gains through HCVF assessments in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania

This paper analyses the conservation gains through High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) assessments in two South-East European countries (Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania). These are based on the review of the Draft Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) National Standards and HCVF Manuals and the results of the certification process of seven forest management units in the two countries. The review indicates that the application of Principle 9 (High Conservation Value Forests) and Criterion 6.4 of the FSC in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania was influenced by the size and nature of tenure (i.e., public or non-public land), rather than geographic location per se. The study also revealed that the assessment of HCVF has, for the first time, raised the question of conservation of cultural, historical and religious values as well as the sustainable management of those forests relevant for the basic needs of communities. These are values not currently covered at the present by the national conservation legislation in either of these two countries. Findings of this study in both countries demonstrates that there are certain conservation gains as a result of the HCVF assessment, especially related to ecosystem services, prevention of soil erosion and conservation of threatened, endangered and endemic species.

The Voluntary Partnership Agreement: the Ghanaian and Malaysian experience

SUMMARY This paper looks at how the Voluntary Partnership Agreement is working by using the Ghanaian and Malaysian experiences on this process. The difference in the forest management system in both Ghana and Malaysia, in itself poses some challenges to the implementation of the VPA. Further, the multi-stake holder approach used in Ghana, and the inter-governmental approach used in Malaysia presents different scenarios that may influence the implementation of the VPA. It is important to realize that measures that properly address circumvention and illegal imports from non-partner countries are of crucial importance for Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPAs) to be a success. Therefore, the only way for Ghana and Malaysia to see VPA as a success is to be assisted in every way to build capacity among the law enforcement agencies.

Chain of custody (COC) certification among Malaysian wooden furniture manufacturers: status and challenges

SUMMARY Malaysia, a major producer and exporter of wood products has been slow to embrace wood products certification. A study was carried out with the intention of assessing the status of chain of custody certification among wooden furniture manufacturers. A structured questionnaire was used to interview firms who participated at the annual Malaysian International Furniture Fair in 2007. Results indicate that the readiness to adopt chain of custody certification among wooden furniture manufacturers was low. The lack of price premiums, limited market potential and high cost were cited as the primary reasons deterring furniture manufacturers from adopting chain of custody certification. Furthermore, the use of plantation wood resources, such as Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis Müll. Arg.), were perceived by many respondents to be certified wood resources, reflecting a lack of understanding among manufacturers. It was concluded that the promotion of chain of custody certification in Malaysia must focus on increasing awareness as well as highlighting the tangible and intangible benefits to be gained from such a scheme.

Comparison of structure, regeneration and dead wood in virgin forest remnant and managed forest on Grmecˇ Mountain in Western Bosnia

This paper compares the forest structure, regeneration and distribution of dead wood in a virgin forest remnant and a close-to-nature managed beech–conifer mixture situated on Grmeč Mountain in Western Bosnia. The investigations were carried out in a 1 ha permanent sample plot and 35 circular plots (20 m radius) in the virgin forest and in 17 circular plots (25 m radius) in managed forests. The number of trees in the managed forest was significantly (p = 0.05) higher than that in virgin forest and the distribution of the number of trees per diameter classes had a decreasing trend, but with a different shape in the virgin forest compared to the managed stands. In the lower diameter classes, the stock volume recorded in virgin forest was half of that in the managed forest, whilst for higher diameter classes the cumulated volume of the growing stock was almost double in virgin forest. The young crops had a significantly lower presence in the virgin forest and a larger volume of dead wood was identified in the virgin forest than in managed stands. The study results are important in assessing the consequences of close-to-nature management on the forest structure and regeneration when compared to the condition in virgin forests.

Effect of heat treatment on the machining and other properties of rubberwood

In this study, the effects of heat treatment on the static strength, dimensional stability and machinability of Rubberwood (Hevea brasiliensis), subjected to heat treatment of varying temperatures and durations, were examined. It was found that the density, static strengths and dimensional stability of Rubberwood reduced with increasing temperature regimes. On the other hand, the machinability of the material was improved with heat treatment, although dust emission was significantly higher.

Chain of custody certification: an assessment of Ghanaian timber sector

Although Europe represents a major market for Ghana, information on how local companies are addressing chain of custody certification is scarce. A survey of 103 timber firms, in particular, was conducted in order to determine the current status of chain of custody certification in Ghana. Results collated indicate that the readiness to adopt chain of custody certification among the sector was low. The lack of stakeholders’ awareness and price premium was cited as the primary reasons deterring the sector from adopting certification. This study analysis suggests that company size is an important variable to be considered when analyzing the adoption of chain of custody certification by timber companies. This study shows that an increasing adoption of chain of custody certification among the sector in Ghana can be realised with good stakeholder consultations and resource rights.ZusammenfassungObwohl Europa für Ghana ein großer Markt ist, gibt es nur wenig Information darüber, wie lokale Unternehmen die Chain-of-Custody-Zertifizierung handhaben. Aus diesem Grund wurde eine Studie unter Einbeziehung von 103 Holzfirmen durchgeführt, die den Stellenwert einer Chain-of-Custody-Zertifizierung in Ghana ermitteln soll. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Bereitschaft zu einer COC-Zertifizierung in dieser Branche gering war. Als Hauptgründe dafür wurden das fehlende Bewusstsein der Firmen sowie fehlende Preisvorteile genannt. Die Studie ergab, dass die Unternehmensgröße eine wichtige Variable ist, die es bei der Analyse der Akzeptanz der Chain-of Custody-Zertifizierung in der Holzbranche zu berücksichtigen gilt. Desweiteren zeigt diese Studie, dass eine stärkere Akzeptanz einer COC-Zertifizierung in dieser Branche in Ghana mit einer guten Beratung der Firmen in Verbindung mit Einschlagsrechten erreichbar wäre.

Foreign direct investment (FDI), added value and environmental-friendly practices in furniture manufacturing: the case of Malaysia and Vietnam.

SUMMARY Malaysia as a low-cost wooden furniture production hub has attracted substantial foreign direct investment (FDI) over the last two decades. However, globalization of the worldwide furniture industry has increased the competitive pressure from newly emerging furniture-producing nations, especially Vietnam, which has displaced Malaysia as the largest exporter of furniture in the South East Asian region. Based on this state of facts a study was undertaken to analyze the FDI trends in the Malaysian furniture industry from 1986 to 2005, using secondary published data and questionnaire based survey. The results were compared against the characteristics of FDI in Vietnam. The results of the study point out that although Malaysia offered greater political stability, better infrastructure, amenities, industrial-relation practices, a more stable exchange rate and greater adoption of environmental-friendly practices; the lower production cost and favorable investment policy appear to be the strengths of Vietnam in attracting foreign direct investments. Therefore, Malaysian policy-makers need to formulate policies based on creativity and innovation that would pave the way for the manufacture of higher added-value products that would ensure the continued attractiveness of Malaysia as a furniture FDI destination.

Bending and fatigue strength of mortise and tenon furniture joints made from oil palm lumber

The bending and fatigue strengths of rectangular mortise and tenon furniture joints made from oil palm lumber and solid Rubberwood were compared. The results showed that the ultimate bending moment of the oil palm lumber joints were half of the strength value of Rubberwood joints. The results showed that for both materials the allowable design stresses for rectangular mortise and tenon joints could be set at 20% of its bending strength.

Forestry and Forest Products Industries in Zambia and the Role of REDD+ Initiatives

SUMMARY Zambia has one of the largest forest resources in southern Africa with almost 66% of its land mass under forest cover. However, indiscriminate harvesting of valuable timber resources for commodity-type products such as sawn-timber, charcoal and fuel-wood are the main drivers of forest depletion. Challenges related to customary-lands, land-tenure, lack of information about forest resources as well as the weak institutions is contributing factors that have accelerated to steady reduction of forest cover in the country. The need for investments in the forest products sector and an equitable sharing of benefits with local communities are pre-requisites to shift into higher value-added manufacturing. In the context, the implementation of the REDD+ initiatives, which aims to build capacity and technical knowledge on the ground together with improved monitoring, reporting and verifying of the forest resources data from a centrally planned command could help to arrest the depletion of the forest through better planning and management of the resources.