Unit 1 - Forest Management
Effects of Forest Development on Industry
We learned that the production of lumber is not the only forest industry. In addition to Non-Wood Forest Product (NWFPS) Industries other resource based industries also use forests.
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Positive Effects of Forest Development on Industry
Logging often aids other resource-based industries. Logging clears areas for gas and oil pipelines, mine sites, and expanding agriculture. The roads used by the logging trucks are also used by these other industries, as well as NWFPS to move people, equipment and products.
Forest Facts
Tagus, also known as vegetable ivory, palm ivory, or jarina, is a NWFP that has impacted the illegal ivory industry. There is an increasing demand for Netsukes (small ivory carving of high value) from the growing Chinese middle class. Netsukes, because of their small size, can be carved from tagus, which is “ivory like” in weight and feel when dried. Vegetable ivory positively impacts local economies where ivory nut palm trees grow. For example, in the South American Rainforest people can harvest tagus nuts instead of cutting down trees for farming; and in Sub-Saharan Africa, nuts from the real-fan palm can be collected as an alternative to poaching elephants.
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Negative Effects of Forest Development on Industry
Trees that produce nuts and berries can also be harvested for wood, so at times the logging industry and the NFWPS industry are in direct competition with one another; and although logging creates roads for tourists, it can also negatively impact the pristine views tourists are after.
Here in Alberta, the Bragg Creek and Kananaskis Outdoor Recreational Society argues that logging will hurt tourism, which produces more revenue and has a less negative impact on the environment. Eco-tourism in British Columbia, especially in old-growth
forests, plays a role in the economy and there are pressures on governments to make sure that forests are protected for eco-tourism; at the same time, the governments are also pressured by logging companies.
In many parts of the world, there is a push to increase eco-tourism as an alternative to logging. For example, in Indonesia’s tropical forest many forest-dependent peoples turned to illegal poaching and illegal logging to earn a living. At the same time, they felt they were dishonouring their culture and ancient traditions. The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) sponsored a project in four villages that trained these individuals and their families in biocultural diversity, hospitality and conservation management. The EOCA also helped develop trails and adventure activities. The project was successful. Poaching and illegal tree harvesting numbers decreased while tourism substantially increased. The villages then took steps to plant cacao and mango trees in areas that had been previously logged and started a fish conservation project.
In many parts of the world, there is a push to increase eco-tourism as an alternative to logging. For example, in Indonesia’s tropical forest many forest-dependent peoples turned to illegal poaching and illegal logging to earn a living. At the same time, they felt they were dishonouring their culture and ancient traditions. The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) sponsored a project in four villages that trained these individuals and their families in biocultural diversity, hospitality and conservation management. The EOCA also helped develop trails and adventure activities. The project was successful. Poaching and illegal tree harvesting numbers decreased while tourism substantially increased. The villages then took steps to plant cacao and mango trees in areas that had been previously logged and started a fish conservation project.
In conclusion, logging aids other industries by developing roads that are used to move people, equipment, and products. At the same time, logging may directly compete with other industries, or negatively impact them through the harvesting of trees.