Implementing principles, criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management in Gabon

Sustainable forest management is the process of managing forest to achieve one or more clearly specified objectives without diminishing the forest's ability to continue providing goods and services in perpetuity. In this paper, we show how the African Timber Organization/International Tropical...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of sustainable forestry 2019-01, Vol.38 (1), p.46-53
Main Authors: Ahimin, Adje Olivier, Mikissa, Jean Bruno, Johnson, Steven, N'Guessan Kouamé, François, Kamanzi, Kagoyire
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
criteria and indicators
Deforestation
Ecological function
forest certification
Forest management
Forestry
Forestry economics
Forests
Gabon
Indicators
principles
Sustainability
Sustainability management
Sustainable forest management
Sustainable forestry
Timber
Wildlife
Wildlife management
Workers
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Summary:Sustainable forest management is the process of managing forest to achieve one or more clearly specified objectives without diminishing the forest's ability to continue providing goods and services in perpetuity. In this paper, we show how the African Timber Organization/International Tropical Timber Organization principles, criteria and indicators for the sustainable management of African forests can help timber companies assess their progress towards this goal in Gabon. Through a partnership between International Tropical Timber Organization project PD 124/01 Rev. 2(M), the World Wildlife Fund, and the ministry responsible for forests in Gabon, audits were conducted between 2012 and 2014 to evaluate the implementation of sustainable forest management in 14 forest concessions in Gabon. In general, results show that Principle 4, linked to the well-being of workers and local populations, proved the most difficult principle to implement, while Principle 3, dealing with maintaining ecological functions, was the least problematic. A number of companies were found to be experiencing significant difficulties in implementing management plans. It is also clear that independent forest certification has become a key element for ensuring the successful implementation of sustainable forest management.
ISSN:1054-9811
1540-756X
DOI:10.1080/10549811.2018.1497994