Yeo-Chang Youn

Markets drive the specialization strategies of forest peoples

Engagement in the market changes the opportunities and strategies of forest-related peoples. Efforts to support rural development need to better understand the potential importance of markets and the way people respond to them. To this end, we compared 61 case studies of the commercial production and trade of nontimber forest products from Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The results show that product use is shaped by local markets and institutions, resource abundance, and the relative level of development. Larger regional patterns are also important. High-value products tend to be managed intensively by specialized producers and yield substantially higher incomes than those generated by the less specialized producers of less managed, low-value products. We conclude that commercial trade drives a process of intensified production and household specialization among forest peoples.

Traditional forest-related knowledge and sustainable forest management in Asia

Considering the level of degradation of natural resources in Benin and the need of local communities to preserve traditional medicine practices, 41 traditional botanical gardens have been created. Traditional botanical gardens in Benin play many roles but have been designed to reflect society’s priorities, to contribute to well-being, education and research. This form of conservation constitutes a new approach which involves local communities and could contribute to the global conservation of biodiversity in Benin. Many stakeholders are involved in the creation of botanical gardens and this constitutes a great opportunity for the development of this initiative. However, many challenges have to be considered for a sustainable development of traditional botanical gardens in Benin.

Tree biomass and carbon stock of a community‐managed mangrove forest in Bohol, Philippines

Mangrove plays a significant role in climate change mitigation particularly in carbon absorption and minimizing the detrimental impacts of sea level rise, salt-water intrusion and tidal surges. In Bohol Province, Philippines, a small coastal island community known as Banacon is one of the successful cases in mangrove reforestation. Recognizing the sites potential for a carbon sequestration project, a biomass and carbon stock assessment of mangrove trees was done. Using standard sampling techniques and allometric equations, tree carbon storage was measured across stand ages, namely 15-, 20- and 40-year-old plantations. Mature natural stands were also included in the assessment. By estimate, the 40-year-old plantation has the largest carbon density with 370.7 ton ha−1, followed by the 15-year-old plantation with 208.5 ton ha−1, 20-year-old plantation with 149.5 ton ha−1, and lastly by natural stand with 145.6ton ha−1. Overall, Banacon mangroves are in a vigorous condition of storing vast amount of carbon. Local community and government should therefore sustain their commitment in coastal reforestation activities in order to enhance the mangrove carbon stocks. Policies and programs that can help provide incentives and livelihoods to local people who are largely dependent on mangroves should likewise be explored in order to sustainably reap the economic and ecological benefits of conserving mangrove forest.

Resolving conflicting ecological and economic interests in the Korean DMZ: a valuation based approach

Abstract The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between South and North Korea has served as a sanctuary to diverse biological resources since the Korean War ceased in 1953. During winter season, flocks of cranes ( Grus spp.) converge in the rice field along the DMZ. All other refuges for cranes that winter in South Korea were destroyed, due mainly to wilful industrial expansion in the past few decades. The presence of cranes in this region is attributed to the residual rice grains left behind by harvesters. This winter habitat is, however, very fragile, for a number of reasons. First, the local formers regard the cranes as a potential threat in their livelihood rather than as an ecological member sharing the same ecosystem resources. Second, exercising property rights, the landholders have actively advocated an industrial development program. Third, it is difficult to legally impose the notion of wildlife preservation even if there is a perception among the general public that the crane is worth preserving. This study sought to formulate a policy measure to guide the local egalitarian farm economy to ecological economy in which farmers and cranes are the harmonized co-users of the ecosystem resources. Valuation based approach is employed in our study to show that bio-diversity is not in conflict with local economic well-being but, in fact, essential to it.

Impacts of the currency value change on the forest products import quantities in Korea

Abstract This study estimated the impacts of the currency value change on the forest products import quantities in Korea using vector autoregressive model. The first objective is to analyze whether there is any causal relationship between change in the currency value and changes in the import quantities of forest products in Korea. Assuming that there is any causal relationship, the second objective is to evaluate the dynamics of the impacts of the currency value change on the forest products import quantities in Korea. The causal relationship was analyzed by the causality test of Granger. The relationship between the currency value and the import quantity was represented by vector autoregressive model. And the dynamics were evaluated by variance decomposition analysis and impulse response analysis. Change in the currency value causes change in the hardwood roundwood import quantity in Korea. In the model of the hardwood roundwood import quantity, after 6 months, the currency value change accounts for approximately 10% of variation in the import quantity. On the other hand, the impact of a shock to the currency value is significant for approximately 10 months on the import quantity of hardwood roundwood in Korea.

REDD+ as an international cooperation strategy under the global climate change regime

Under the global climate negotiations, a REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, conservation of forest carbon stocks; sustainable management of forests, and enhancement of forest carbon stocks) regime is established by multi-stakeholders such as transnational organizations, states, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). However, several developed countries have strategically exerted their leadership in forming and implementing a REDD+ regime in the international community. This paper attempts to investigate national REDD+ strategies of Norway, Germany, Australia, the US, and Japan which have contributed to forming a global REDD+ regime. REDD+ strategies and policies of the five countries were analyzed using three categories: pledge, type of support, and approach. These five countries have commonalities in that they pledged their commitment to establishing a REDD+ architecture through non-binding agreements such as the Copenhagen Accord and the REDD+ Partnership. Furthermore, they have been providing developing countries with financial and technical assistance through multilateral and bilateral schemes using their own international initiatives on climate and forest. Nevertheless, they have different approaches and scoping for REDD+. The results from this study indicate that developed countries contribute to building a global regime on REDD+ with different strategies based on their interests and perspectives. These can be elucidated as leadership in forming the REDD+ regime. Analysis on activities to support REDD+ as international cooperation strategies by developed countries will help the dynamics of a global regime of REDD+ to be understood.

Carbon sequestration benefits of the makiling forest reserve, Philippines

This paper discusses carbon sequestration in Makiling Forest Reserve (MFR) and in the Philippines in general in relation to mitigating climate change. First, it estimates the values of carbon sequestration benefits for MFR and the Philippines. Then it reviews the policies and practices in the country pertaining to carbon sequestration. Then it determines the feasibility of different climate abatement projects, including reforestation, tree planting and agroforestry activities. The current carbon content in the biomass of the plant covers in MFR is estimated to be 109 tons per hectare. Accordingly, the total carbon content for the whole of MFR is 167,277 tons. The equivalent in terms of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere is 669,108 tons, amounting to a total sequestration value of P1.5 billion or US

Sustainable thatching materials production from nipa (nypa fruticans) in Bohol, Philippines

3.8 million. The capitalized value derived from MFR carbon sequestration is P15.06 billion or US

Urban Containment Policies and the Protection of Natural Areas: The Case of Seoul's Greenbelt

1.13 billion. Conservation of existing forests reduces oxidized carbon releases into the atmosphere. Agroforestry systems also have the potential to replace destructive shifting agricultural practices. Other strategies for increasing the carbon sequestration capacity of forests is reforestation, and increasing the amount of carbon being stored in forest ecosystems. The latter involves planting of fast‐growing species and high‐timber‐yielding varieties. The sustainable management of the forests in MFR would contribute significant greenhouse benefits by enhancing long‐term storage of carbon in the ecosystem.

Use of forest resources, traditional forest-related knowledge and livelihood of forest dependent communities: cases in South Korea.

Nipa (Nypa fruticans), a true mangrove palm is one of the valued resources in the coastal areas of the Philippines. It has numerous economic uses, such as: production of sap for wine and vinegar, and the use of its leaves as thatching materials for rural houses, green sheds, rest cottages and other small buildings, among others. However, its production and utilization practices vary greatly from area to area. This study examines the production practices and yield of nipa in the province of Bohol, Philippines. The study shows that nipa is more utilized for shingles production other than any other uses. A mature nipa plantation can have an average of 17,233 mature plants per ha. These plants are capable of producing an average of 51,148 shingles per year. On a per site class basis, the potential production is 80,233, 52,964 and 32,243 shingles for good, average and poor sites, respectively. The study also indicates that long harvest cycles of nipa increase the percentage of wastage due to over maturing of fronds. Shorter harvest cycles yield higher mature fronds that facilitate the growth of juvenile fronds due to reduced competition for space among the nipa leaves. At least 2 to 3 juvenile fronds are left per plant during harvests and based on fronds reproduction, a 3‐month harvest cycle would be best for nipa stands. This would enable frequent cleaning and release of maturing fronds from competition for space and would also prevent over maturing of fronds.