A Typology of Private Forest Owners in Bosnia - Herzegovina Based on Different Clustering Methods

Abstract

UDK 630*92:519.237.8(497.6)
 According to FAO, the total forest area in Bosnia-Herzegovina amounts 2.709.769 ha or 53,4% of overall state territory. While the total area of private forests is 523.437 ha, private forest ownership is characterized by huge number of small-scale and fragmented individual estates. The aim of this research is to examine how the groups of private forest owners can be created with different clustering methods, regarding different criteria. The data presented in this paper are obtained from PRIFORT project (Research into the Organizations of Private Forest Owners Associations in the Western Balkan Region). Results show that private forest owners in Bosnia- Herzegovina can be grouped in three clusters by using different clustering methods, based on criteria defined in advance. Significant differences in willingness of private forest owners (PFO) to join to their interest associations are noticed for identified clusters. From forest policy aspect, the clusters gathering homogenous groups of private forest owners should be treated by different policy instruments (regulatory, economical or informational) in order to ensure better contribution of private forests to overall economical, ecological and social outcomes expected from forests as the most important natural resources in Bosnia-Herzegovina.