TY - JOUR
T1 - Timber production in selectively logged tropical forests in South America
AU - Keller, M.
AU - Asner, G.P.
AU - Blate, G.
AU - McGlocklin, J.
AU - Merry, F.
AU - Peña-Claros, M.
AU - Zweede, J.
PY - 2007
Y1 - 2007
N2 - Selective logging is an extensive land-use practice in South America. Governments in the region have enacted policies to promote the establishment and maintenance of economically productive and sustainable forest industries. However, both biological and policy constraints threaten to limit the viability of the industry over the long term. Biological constraints, such as slow tree growth rates, can be overcome somewhat by management practices. In order to improve the likelihood of success for sustainable management, it is important to accept that forests change over time and that managed forests may be different than those of the present. Furthermore, education campaigns must convince decision makers and the public of the value of forest resources. We recommend that the forest sector be governed by simple, understandable regulations, based on sound science and consistent enforcement, and that governments work with, instead of against, industry. Problems of tropical forest management are far from being solved, so biological and social scientists should continue to generate new knowledge to promote effective management
AB - Selective logging is an extensive land-use practice in South America. Governments in the region have enacted policies to promote the establishment and maintenance of economically productive and sustainable forest industries. However, both biological and policy constraints threaten to limit the viability of the industry over the long term. Biological constraints, such as slow tree growth rates, can be overcome somewhat by management practices. In order to improve the likelihood of success for sustainable management, it is important to accept that forests change over time and that managed forests may be different than those of the present. Furthermore, education campaigns must convince decision makers and the public of the value of forest resources. We recommend that the forest sector be governed by simple, understandable regulations, based on sound science and consistent enforcement, and that governments work with, instead of against, industry. Problems of tropical forest management are far from being solved, so biological and social scientists should continue to generate new knowledge to promote effective management
KW - sustainability
KW - management
U2 - 10.1890/1540-9295(2007)5[213:TPISLT]2.0.CO;2
DO - 10.1890/1540-9295(2007)5[213:TPISLT]2.0.CO;2
M3 - Article
SN - 1540-9295
VL - 5
SP - 213
EP - 216
JO - Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
JF - Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment
IS - 4
ER -