Community Institutions, Sustainable Forest Management, and Forest Cover Change in Southern Japan

Abstract

This research explores the activities of community institutions in achieving sustainable forest management (SFM) and sustained forest cover. Three institutions representing the administrative, economic, and social/traditional institutions were identified. The institutions had 30 forest management activities and satisfied about 66% of SFM Criteria and Indicators. A loss of 122 ha of forest cover was estimated over the last 30 yr, attributed to conversion of forests to built-up areas. Cooperative culture and economic incentives, among others, influenced institutions’ effectiveness and collective behavior toward achieving SFM. Coordinated strategies that can increase wood demand will motivate forest owners toward SFM.

Keywords:

• community institutions
• sustainable forest management
• land use change
• Japan

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the financial support of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) for this project. The authors also appreciate the officials of Oguni Town Office and Oguni Forest Cooperatives for the support during the data collection; and all the interpreters at the site and the University of Tokyo during the field survey and data translation.