Public Perception of Forestry Practices in Malaysia

Ratnasingam, Jegatheswaran; Vacalie, Cristina; Sestraș, Adriana F.; Ioraş, Florin

doi:10.15835/nbha4219542

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Unlike oil palm plantations, forests are valued highly for different reasons (Sheil & Liswanti, ; Sheil et al ., ; Pfund et al ., ), e.g. health, cultural, and spiritual purposes (Meijaard et al ., ) and recreational potential (Bennett & Reynolds, ; Broadbent et al ., ; Burke & Resosudarmo, ; Ratnasingam et al ., ). With deforestation for establishment of oil palm plantations and the related depletion of resources, these functions and the so‐called ‘locality of value’ (Nooteboom & de Jong, ) likewise disappear.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

A review of the ecosystem functions in oil palm plantations, using forests as a reference system

et al. 2016

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Oil palm plantations have expanded rapidly in recent decades. This large-scale land-use change has had great ecological, economic, and social impacts on both the areas converted to oil palm and their surroundings. However, research on the impacts of oil palm cultivation is scattered and patchy, and no clear overview exists. We address this gap through a systematic and comprehensive literature review of all ecosystem functions in oil palm plantations, including several (genetic, medicinal and ornamental resources, information functions) not included in previous systematic reviews. We compare ecosystem functions in oil palm plantations to those in forests, as the conversion of forest to oil palm is prevalent in the tropics. We find that oil palm plantations generally have reduced ecosystem functioning compared to forests: 11 out of 14 ecosystem functions show a net decrease in level of function. Some functions show decreases with potentially irreversible global impacts (e.g. reductions in gas and climate regulation, habitat and nursery functions, genetic resources, medicinal resources, and information functions). The most serious impacts occur when forest is cleared to establish new plantations, and immediately afterwards, especially on peat soils. To variable degrees, specific plantation management measures can prevent or reduce losses of some ecosystem functions (e.g. avoid illegal land clearing via fire, avoid draining of peat, use of integrated pest management, use of cover crops, mulch, and compost) and we highlight synergistic mitigation measures that can improve multiple ecosystem functions simultaneously. The only ecosystem function which increases in oil palm plantations is, unsurprisingly, the production of marketable goods. Our review highlights numerous research gaps. In particular, there are significant gaps with respect to socio-cultural information functions. Further, there is a need for more empirical data on the importance of spatial and temporal scales, such as differences among plantations in different environments, of different sizes, and of different ages, as our review has identified examples where ecosystem functions vary spatially and temporally. Finally, more research is needed on developing management practices that can offset the losses of ecosystem functions. Our findings should stimulate research to address the identified gaps, and provide a foundation for more systematic research and discussion on ways to minimize the negative impacts and maximize the positive impacts of oil palm cultivation.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 97%

A review of the ecosystem functions in oil palm plantations, using forests as a reference system

et al. 2016

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“…This curriculum development must be linked to natural resource development, potential business ventures and trade, the community environment, scientific research, and the country's need for forestry training, research and innovation (Nair 2004). Some experts argue that forestry education for the future must move away from industry-based forestry education models towards a more holistic forestry education that centers on the multiple-use of forest resources and environmental conservation (Ratnasingam et al 2014). Others recommend that foresters be re-trained in the new approaches to forest management and that forestry education objectives be reviewed in the light of future developments brought about by the revolution in IT and digitisation (Guariguata & Evans 2010).…”

Section: Solutions For Human Capital Development For Forestry In the mentioning

confidence: 99%

Transforming Forest Education to Meet the Changing Demands for Professionals

Ratnasingam¹,

Ioraş²,

Latib³

et al. 2018

JTFS

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The traditional forestry practice is under increasing pressure to transform, driven primarily by a shifting public perception of sustainability, and developments in science, communications, and global markets. In this context, the existing forestry education model is poorly equipped to cope with changes sweeping through the forestry sector that are linked to digitisation and rapid development in the information technology sectors. In preparing professionals for forestry practice today, notable discrepancies between what potential employers want and what the forestry institutions provide are apparent. In response, when hiring graduates of professional forestry programmes, forestry employers have changed the skill set and competencies sought. A similar scenario is also observed in SouthEast Asia, which despite its abundant forest resources and robust forest industries, is also experiencing dwindling interest among young people and falling enrollment rates in its forestry education institutes. Prevailing financial constraints and political pressures on higher education make it difficult for educators to close the gap between forestry education and forest practice. Nevertheless, a concerted effort from all stakeholders in revising the existing forestry education model to incorporate new courses and skills that will better prepare future foresters, appears to be the way forward.

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“…Although the data were compiled from published information from the respective Forestry Departments, efforts were taken to ensure that the logging data used in this study were accurate by verifying the logging activities with the Pre-Felling and Post-Felling inventory records available at the Forestry Departments. As suggested by Ratnasingam and Ioras (2006), the Pre-Felling and Post-felling inventories are useful tools in monitoring and controlling the logging activities as prescribed under the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) system. As Malaysia practices the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) system, the total annual harvesting area is regulated by the respective Forestry Departments, ensuring that only the stipulated logging area is harvested by the contractor or concession holder.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental and economic impact of using logging residues as bioenergy: The case of Malaysia

Ratnasingam

Ramasamy

Ioraş

et al. 2017

BioRes

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The potential use of residues from the logging process was evaluated for electrical energy generation by direct combustion. The findings were based on logging residues accrued from 1990 to 2015 and were enumerated using a 43% residue recovery rate. The available logging residues were insufficient to supply the primary electrical energy demand as well as reduce the emission of carbon dioxide. However, when coupled with other agricultural residues, the potential energy generation from biomass was significant and could not only lead to reduced fossil fuel demand, but also improve the carbon credit and provide additional employment opportunities in the bioenergy sector.

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Public Perception of Forestry Practices in Malaysia

Cited by 6 publications

References 15 publications

A review of the ecosystem functions in oil palm plantations, using forests as a reference system

A review of the ecosystem functions in oil palm plantations, using forests as a reference system

Transforming Forest Education to Meet the Changing Demands for Professionals

Environmental and economic impact of using logging residues as bioenergy: The case of Malaysia

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