What Makes Community Forest Management Successful: A Meta-Study from Community Forests Throughout the World

Thirty-one articles on community forestry, encompassing 69 case studies worldwide, were reviewed for systematic data synthesis and hypothesis testing. The meta-study identifies 43 independent variables ranging from internal attributes of the community and resources to external factors. Variables with significant influence on the success of community forestry are tenure security, clear ownership, congruence between biophysical and socioeconomic boundaries of the resources, effective enforcement of rules and regulations, monitoring, sanctioning, strong leadership with capable local organization, expectation of benefits, common interests among community members, and local authority. These variables illustrate community-forest relationships, community ability to organize and continue collective activities, and protection of benefits, rights, and responsibilities in common resource management

Economics of Peatland Ecosystem Services: A Study of Use and Non-Use Values and People Interplays in Sumatra, Indonesia

Peatlands play an important role in the global environment and the well-being of humans by providing valuable ecosystem services. Yet, anthropogenic activities pose significant hazards for peatland management, including low levels of community participation due to lack of awareness and financial incentives. Understanding the social–cultural and economic value of these ecosystems will raise awareness to protect these important ecosystems. Here, we estimated a total economic value (TEV) of peatland ecosystem services and examined relationships between the TEV and landscape characteristics in Riau province, Indonesia. A questionnaire was used to investigate household socioeconomics, perception of peatland importance, peatland product collection, and willingness to pay for habitat and biodiversity protection from May to June 2023. A total of 200 household individuals (92% confidence) in five villages across distinct landscapes in the Sungai Kiyap-Sungai Kampar Kiri Peatland Hydrological Unit participated in the survey. The respondents obtained numerous advantages from the peatlands with an estimated TEV of USD 3174 per household per year (about 1.3 times their annual income). Approximately 81% showed a use value, especially food provisioning from fish and soil fertility. To a lesser extent, non-use values included a habitat for endemic and endangered species, biodiversity conservation for future generations, and community bonds with sacred forests. The landscape characteristics, illustrating habitat types, biophysical conditions, and property rights regimes, interplay with the relative benefits derived from the peatlands. Proximity to secondary peat swamp forests and riparian zones, especially within protected areas, enhanced economic value. Protected area co-management is essential to balance peatland conservation with sustainable livelihoods. Primary forests need restrictive protection. Meanwhile, buffer zone designation and agroforestry practices, especially in the peatland–farm interface, reduce land use tensions and promote local stewardship. This study can be used as a reference by planners and policymakers to recognize factors that promote effective peatland management, especially those that balance ecosystem protection and livelihood maintenance

ETHNOBOTANY OF AQUEOUS PLANTS AT NONG HAN KUMPHAWAPI WETLAND, UDORNTHANI, THAILAND: SAVING TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE THROUGH LOCAL RESOURCE-BASED ECONOMY

An ethnobotanic study of aquatic plants at Nong Han Kumphawapi—a wetland of international importance, Udornthani, Thailand was conducted from June to August, 2006. Data were collected by in-depth interviews of seven senior villagers and traditional healers, coupled with field and local market surveys. In total, 62 species (33 families) of aquatic plants were reported to be used for subsistence, including food, medicines, household tools, animal feed and community rituals. Edible and medicinal plants are most frequently harvested, accounted for 45% and 26% of all identified species respectively. The family most frequently used is Cyperaceae i.e. Scirpus grossus L.f. and Cyperus corymbosus Hook.f. Key informants reported that ethnobotanic knowledge was passed along through storytellers rather than written documentation. Currently, due to technology development, socio-cultural transformation, access to market goods and nature of knowledge transfer, ethnobotany especially use of medicinal plants is fading away. Hence, loss of potential usefulness is likely even before these species can be studied. Wetland resource management, including detailed assessment of ecosystem status, biodiversity quantities, productivity potential, and sustainable use methods is necessary. Furthermore, local communities need to recognize the importance of ethnobotany and participate in the management. Day-to-day use and value addition of these species need to be promoted, so ethnobotany becomes part of a community economy. This can be seen in Thailand under the national program called “OTOP—One Tambon (an products made from local resources and selects one to generate its economy. administrative level equivalent to sub-district) One Product.” Every Tambon develops its most uniqu

Economics of Peatland Ecosystem Services: A Study of Use and Non-Use Values and People Interplays in Sumatra, Indonesia

Peatlands play an important role in the global environment and the well-being of humans by providing valuable ecosystem services. Yet, anthropogenic activities pose significant hazards for peatland management, including low levels of community participation due to lack of awareness and financial incentives. Understanding the social–cultural and economic value of these ecosystems will raise awareness to protect these important ecosystems. Here, we estimated a total economic value (TEV) of peatland ecosystem services and examined relationships between the TEV and landscape characteristics in Riau province, Indonesia. A questionnaire was used to investigate household socioeconomics, perception of peatland importance, peatland product collection, and willingness to pay for habitat and biodiversity protection from May to June 2023. A total of 200 household individuals (92% confidence) in five villages across distinct landscapes in the Sungai Kiyap-Sungai Kampar Kiri Peatland Hydrological Unit participated in the survey. The respondents obtained numerous advantages from the peatlands with an estimated TEV of USD 3174 per household per year (about 1.3 times their annual income). Approximately 81% showed a use value, especially food provisioning from fish and soil fertility. To a lesser extent, non-use values included a habitat for endemic and endangered species, biodiversity conservation for future generations, and community bonds with sacred forests. The landscape characteristics, illustrating habitat types, biophysical conditions, and property rights regimes, interplay with the relative benefits derived from the peatlands. Proximity to secondary peat swamp forests and riparian zones, especially within protected areas, enhanced economic value. Protected area co-management is essential to balance peatland conservation with sustainable livelihoods. Primary forests need restrictive protection. Meanwhile, buffer zone designation and agroforestry practices, especially in the peatland–farm interface, reduce land use tensions and promote local stewardship. This study can be used as a reference by planners and policymakers to recognize factors that promote effective peatland management, especially those that balance ecosystem protection and livelihood maintenance