Nancy Gélinas

An Integrated Model of Québec-Ontario-U.S. Northeast Softwood Lumber Markets

We analyze an interregional softwood lumber trade model for the three main species (spruce, pine, and fir [SPF]) which are indigenous to Quebec, Ontario, and the U.S. Northeast. Demand for SPF softwood lumber is price elastic in Ontario and the U.S. Northeast, but not in Quebec. It is inelastic with respect to residential construction. Supply price elasticities are less than one. Policy instruments such as exchange rate, export taxes, Canadian federal sales tax, and cost of logs change exports and imports but with minor effects on prices. Export (import) duties are more effective in redirecting trade than is a stumpage fee applied by the provinces. Copyright 1997, Oxford University Press.

Diversity of Perceptions on REDD

Colonist farmers have been largely ignored to date in national consultations on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD

Integrating agroforestry intercropping systems in contrasted agricultural landscapes: a SWOT-AHP analysis of stakeholders’ perceptions

Agroforestry intercropping systems have been developed as an alternative to conventional monocropping systems to address environmental, social and economic issues in a wide array of agricultural contexts. As research on the biological properties of these systems tends to demonstrate their potential, fostering their integration in agricultural landscapes requires an in-depth understanding of local stakeholders’ perceptions. Our study used the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats approach in combination with the analytical hierarchy process (SWOT-AHP) to investigate the factors influencing local stakeholders’ decision to integrate agroforestry intercropping systems in two Regional County Municipalities and their perception of the relative suitability of three agroforestry intercropping system designs (crop-oriented, tree-oriented and landscape aesthetic-oriented). We conducted focus groups with farmers, farm and forestry advisors, urban planners and local authorities in a very intensive and a very extensive agricultural landscape in Quebec (Canada) and compared the results between stakeholders within and across the areas. Our results show that social factors seem to have more impact than biophysical factors on the decision to integrate agroforestry intercropping systems in intensive and extensive agricultural landscapes. The relative value given to the decision factors varies greatly across stakeholders’ categories and areas. Agroforestry intercropping systems designed to meet crop production needs or landscape aesthetic purposes are perceived as more suitable in both agricultural contexts than the tree-oriented design. Our results highlight crucial issues for agroforestry intercropping system deployment and the development of relevant agroforestry system designs through collective decision-making processes.

A Step Prior to REDD

Phase 2 of the United Nations’ REDD+ climate change mitigation initiative is underway in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Meanwhile, activities are being implemented to assess the reduction of emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. REDD+ projects need to include a social dimension; thus, the aim of this research was to understand how land-use relationships vary across communities in an area where a REDD+ project is planned. Specifically, we aimed to identify the primary income-generating activities, the variation in access to land, the potential for the development of community projects, and the implementation of alternative income-generating activities. In the summer of 2013, we assessed a REDD+ pilot project in and around the Luki Biosphere Reserve, Bas-Congo Province. We used participatory rural appraisal (PRA) methods in four communities located both inside and outside the reserve. We found that current subsistence income activities led to the destruction of forest habitat due to population pressure and a lack of alternative income-generating activities. Customary land tenures overlay statutory rights, which can often mean that community rights are threatened. To achieve their targets, REDD+ projects should consider the actual land-use patterns of local communities in order to generate sustainable income from the land.

Origin Labelling as a Differentiation Strategy for Wood Products

The origin of a product is a critical factor in a purchasing decision. Origin can be used as a guarantee of quality, as a symbol of prestige or as a benchmark for social acceptability. The goal of this study was to determine the importance of origin for consumers of wood products in the province of Quebec. An online survey of 983 consumers in Quebec was carried out in 2012. The survey included two full-profile conjoint analyses dealing, respectively, with hardwood flooring (a value-added product) and softwood lumber (a commodity product). Each product was defined on the basis of four attributes: price, quality, origin and the presence or absence of an environmental certification. With respect to hardwood flooring, the most highly valued attribute was origin. In this connection, respondents expressed a strong preference for Quebec products. With respect to softwood lumber, product appearance turned out to be the most important attribute whilst origin came in second on the preference scale. Product origin is therefore an important attribute for Quebec consumers of wood products. It can be concluded that it would be appropriate for wood products manufacturers facing strong international competition to promote the local origin of their products, especially for value-added products.