Resource information
This literature review assesses current and potential future changes occurring within the forestry sector. It identifies challenges posed to forests and analyses the relationship between forests and climate change. While it is relatively safe to assume that temperature increase is a threat to the survival of many ecosystems other challenges, such as extreme weather and precipitation levels, are harder to predict. Other challenges identified include the management of climate change related human migration and maintaining an equitable balance between adapting to new market conditions and retaining ecological integrity. The review explores forest management options for mitigation and adaptation strategies with an emphasis on monitoring, capacity building, market influences and risk reduction. The review also identifies gaps in enabling conditions that require further research and action, including knowledge of potential climate change impacts, the capacity of forest managers to adapt, technology and the institutional environment.
Mitigation strategies highlighted in the review include:
clearer definitions of land, forest and carbon rights
raising awareness of climate change amongst forest managers
documentation and sharing of best practice and lessons learned
establishment of stakeholder platforms to ensure transparency and equity.
The document includes the following suggestions for strengthening adaptation measures.
More research is required in monitoring systems, the adaptability and flexibility of different species to climate change, optimum management cycles, impact modelling and incentive mechanisms.
Training in sustainable forest management should be improved.
Improvements are needed in the institutional framework to clarify rights, ensure greater equity, provide a multi-sectoral approach, improve local governance and provide financial and technical assistance (particularly for carbon markets).
