Synthesis of Socio-economics Knowledge

Project Abstract:
The priority areas for socio-economics synthesis work during the year will be NTFPs, non-timber valuation, incorporating First Nations values in forest management, forest certification, climate change, socio-economics impacts due to the mountain pine beetle (MPB) infestation, and public participation. All these areas are identified as research or extension priorities either in the 10-year strategic plans of FIA-FSP’s Sustainability PAC (Themes 3.3 and 3.4), or the Timber Growth and Value PAC (Themes 6.2 and 7.0), or the 5-year Provincial Forestry Extension Plan (Socio-economics and Aboriginal Forestry extension cluster priorities 5.0 and 6.0).

FORREX is a partner in three project proposals submitted to the Forest Investment Account’s Forest Science Program for funding in 2007-08. The first proposal, initiated by MOFR researchers, is to synthesize and consolidate existing information on practices which enhance the sustainable management of huckleberry, a very important NTFP in BC. This synthesis proposal has been approved for funding. The second proposal, led by SFU researchers, evaluates the trade-offs involved in adopting forest management practices which take food and medicinal plant species valued by First Nations into account. The third proposal, also led by SFU researchers, would identify opportunity costs for managing old-growth forests for spotted owl habitat. Upon approval, FORREX would facilitate synthesis through workshops and extension publications.

The Socio-economics Working Group suggested synthesizing socio-economics information needs on forest certification. Forest certification systems, such as the Canadian Standards Association and the Forest Stewardship Council, require extensive inputs of socio-economic data. An activity under this project is to prepare an extension note on the types and sources of socio-economics data needed in the certification process.

There is increasing concern about the impacts of climate change on forests and forest-dependent communities. The government is currently engaged in trying to reduce the pace of climate change through policies such as carbon trading. An activity proposed under this project is to conduct a review of current information on the opportunities for BC’s forest managers and communities emanating from such policies. A LINK article synthesizing the findings from the review will be published.

An activity under this project will be to synthesize existing information on the socio-economic impacts due to the mountain pine beetle (MPB) infestation. The First Nations MPB Working Group, UNBC, Omineca Beetle Action Coalition (OBAC), Cariboo-Chilcotin Beetle Action Coalition, and other groups who are already working in this field will be approached to be partners in this synthesis work. A workshop is proposed involving these different groups. A LINK article will be published based on the workshop and a review of existing studies on socio-economic impacts.

Researchers from UBC recently conducted a public opinion survey in six communities all located in Canfor forest divisions. The intent of this survey was to explore the range of opinion regarding forest management and planning outcomes in British Columbia. FORREX will be publishing a JEM article synthesizing this research. During the year, a special issue of the BC Journal of Ecosystem Management on the role of social sciences in natural resource management in BC will be coordinated by the Socio-economics Extension Specialist.

For further information on this project, please contact ajit.krishnaswamy@forrex.org.