Franz Josef Schmithüsen

Uses and perceptions of forests by people living in urban areas - findings from selected empirical studies.

SummaryThe paper is based on a selection of empirical studies undertaken in Switzerland, Germany and France on the social meaning of forests. Relevant results from this research are used in order to discuss the intensity and variety of urban forest uses; to give indications about preferred forest areas and about the ways and means to reach them; and to analyse the motives of visitors as well as the meanings that the public attributes to forests. The findings, based on a limited number of specific cases, give an indication with regard to the intensity of use and the range of statements about perceptions associated with forests. The conclusions examine the relevance of applied social research to multipurpose forest management, that reacts to changing demands of the public.ZusammenfassungGrundlage des Beitrags ist eine Auswahl empirischer Untersuchungen zur gesellschaftlichen Bedeutung von Wäldern, die in der Schweiz, in Deutschland und in Frankreich durchgeführt wurden. An Hand der vorliegenden Ergebnisse werden Intensität und Vielfalt der Nutzung in Stadt nahen Wäldern, der Zugang zu bevorzugten Gebieten, mögliche Motive der Waldbesucher sowie die Bedeutung von Wäldern für die Öffentlichkeit vergleichend dargestellt. Insgesamt gibt die Auswertung der Ergebnisse der Untersuchungen einen Anhalt zur Beurteilung von Umfang und Art der heutigen Erholungsnutzung in Wäldern sowie der unterschiedlichen Formen der Perzeption ihrer Bedeutung durch die Waldbesucher und Bürger im Bereich der Städte. Die Folgerungen erörtern die Relevanz angewandter sozialwissenschaftlicher Forschungsbeiträge für eine multifunktionale Bewirtschaftung von Wäldern, die sich den verändernden Bedürfnissen der Öffentlichkeit anzupassen vermag.

Forest-Sector Concerns in the Baltic States: Implications for an Expanded European Union

ABSTRACT European Union (EU) enlargement will create a significant impact on the forest sectors of both old and new member states. In recognition of the importance of integrating national forest policies with relevant EU strategies, this study examines the forest policy networks in countries with economies in transition and, more specifically, identifies issues of concern in the forest sectors of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (the Baltic States). Results from an open-ended survey show that the three countries share similar forest-sector concerns. Though the relative magnitudes of the concerns are similar, country-specific situations are emerging. A list of 22 individual highest ranking issues of concern in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania was compiled. Main areas of concern are (in rank of importance): (1) forest legislation; (2) top level forest administration; (3) private forestry; (4) aspects of economics; (5) environmental considerations; (6) human resources, research, and education; (7) timber processing and trade; and (8) public participation.

Cross-sectoral policy developments in forestry.

Part I: Global Aspects - Cross-sectoral tropical forest cover impacts - The wood products trade - Sustainable forest management and the UNCCD - Agriculture and forestry Part II: Regional and Country Aspects - Africa - Asia - Europe - Americas.

Extension for private forest owners: Insights from a representative opinion poll in Switzerland

This paper presents findings from a representative opinion poll among Swiss private forest owners regarding the actual and future role of outside professional advice, training and extension services. First, the Swiss private forest owners are a highly heterogeneous group insofar as they are difficult addressees for any form of public support and extension services. Second, the majority of Swiss private forest owners appreciate the presently offered training facilities as well as the advisory activities of the cantonal and communal public forest services. Third, Swiss private forest owners are open to new forms of extension provided that such services will be custom-tailored and initiated by the advisers. Custom-tailored in this context means that the individual demands of private forest owners need to be addressed in a differentiated manner and advice will not be limited to the economic aspects of timber production. Local advisers from cantonal and communal forest services are presently in a pole position for offering new forms of extension, however, there are also more opportunities for services offered by private firms and non-governmental organisations. The broader scope for advisory and supporting activities as well as an increasing variety of potential actors providing such services implies a change in formulating and implementing forest policy programs at federal and cantonal levels.

The role of indigenous knowledge in forests and woodland management in India's conflicting cultures

The legacy of India’s still persistent forest culture has entered a new phase, in which its age-old traditions are challenged by societal and environmental changes of the modern state. India’s forests bear the conflicting symptoms of such a transition. The dilemma of economic development and the preservation of natural resources based on cultural values are reflected in the conflicting demands of the state forest administration and those of various tribal communities inhabiting the forest. This paper is an account of core results, based on a ten year project of empirical woodland management research in the State of Orissa, Eastern India. It refers to ethnographic information of selected tribal groups, analyses the cultural significance of trees, woodlands and forests, and provides information with regard to traditional knowledge in ethno-botany, ethno-pharmacopeia and local land management practises. Whereas in a tribal-non-tribal-state interface there are no immediate solutions to forest-related problems in the strict sense, the findings indicate, however, that important contributions can be made to tackle transitional inadequacies of using or managing renewable natural resources. The paper concludes that a contribution of the Indian civilisation to overcome the emerging forest crisis is the political and social acknowledgement of indigenous knowledge of its forest dwelling tribal communities. As long as indigenous knowledge of forests is valued and considered to be important, there is an opportunity to counterbalance improper land management. Regulations on the use and management of forest resources have to be mediated in a political arena between customary lifestyles, cultural traditions and age old local expertise of the directly concerned population, and the rapidly expanding economic interests of other societal groups.