Transparency in the governance of landscape restoration finance: A case study of Ghana's Forest Plantation Development Fund

This paper is concerned with the socio-spatial and ethical politics of redistribution, specifically the allocation of natural resources rents from political and economic cores to the economic and geographical peripheries whence the resource originated. Based on a case study of the coal seam gas sector in Queensland's Surat Basin, this paper focuses on the operation of the Queensland State Government's regional development fund for mining and energy extraction-affected regions. Employing an environmental justice framework, we critically explore the operation of these funds in ostensibly helping constituent communities in becoming resilient to the worst effects of the ‘staples trap’. Drawing on secondary demographic and housing data for the region, as well as primary information collected from key respondents from mid-2018 to early 2019, we show that funds were distributed across all of the local government areas, and allocated to projects and places primarily on a perceived economic needs basis. However, concerns were raised with the probity of the funds’ administration. In terms of recognition justice, the participation of smaller and more remote towns and local Indigenous communities was hampered by their structural marginalisation. Procedurally, the funds were criticised for the lack of local consultation taken in the development and approval of projects. While spatially concentrated expenditure may be the most cost-effective use of public monies, we argue that grant application processes should be open, transparent and inclusive, and the outcomes cognisant of the developmental needs of smaller communities, together with the need to foster regional solidarity and coherence.

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Land Use Spatial Optimization for Sustainable Wood Utilization at the Regional Level: A Case Study from Vietnam

Forests ◽

10.3390/f12020245 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 245

Author(s):

Nguyen Dang Cuong ◽

Köhl Michael ◽

Mues Volker

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Forest Management ◽

Forest Plantations ◽

Land Resource ◽

Forest Landscape ◽

Timber Supply ◽

Landscape Restoration ◽

Forest Landscape Restoration ◽

Wood Utilization

Forest landscape restoration is a widely accepted approach to sustainable forest management. In addition to revitalizing degraded sites, forest landscape restoration can increase the supply of sustainable timber and thereby reduce logging in natural forests. The current study presents a spatial land use optimization model and utilizes a linear programming algorithm that integrates timber production and timber processing chains to meet timber demand trade-offs and timber supply. The objective is to maximize yield and profit from forest plantations under volatile timber demands. The model was parameterized for a case study in Thai Nguyen Province, Vietnam, where most forest plantations grow Acacia mangium (A. mangium). Data were obtained from field surveys on tree growth, as well as from questionnaires to collect social-economic information and determine the timber demand of local wood processing mills. The integration of land use and wood utilization approaches reduces the amount of land needed to maintain a sustainable timber supply and simultaneously leads to higher yields and profits from forest plantations. This forest management solution combines economic and timber yield aspects and promotes measures focused on economic sustainability and land resource efficiency.

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Option valuation of Philippine forest plantation leases

Environment and Development Economics ◽

10.1017/s1355770x03001116 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 9 (3) ◽

pp. 315-333 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

ROBERTO C. YAP

Keyword(s):

Real Options ◽

Sunk Costs ◽

Forest Plantation ◽

Market Uncertainty ◽

Real Options Theory ◽

Highly Sensitive ◽

Future Value ◽

Plantation Development ◽

Philippine Government ◽

Options Theory

The Philippine forest plantation lease is modelled as an option whose value arises from market uncertainty and the irreversibility inherent in sunk costs required to establish plantations. The value of this option could be a significant factor in the planting decisions of leaseholders. Real options theory could help explain why in spite of the prospects of adequate financial returns, Filipino leaseholders are slow to establish plantations. The opportunity cost of investing is demonstrated to be highly sensitive to uncertainty of the future value of the plantation. Real options analysis is also utilized to evaluate policies intended by the Philippine government to promote plantation development.

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An Assessment of Public Private Partnerships for Housing Projects in Bauchi State, North Eastern Nigeria

International Journal of Regional Development ◽

10.5296/ijrd.v4i1.9933 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (1) ◽

pp. 35

Author(s):

Sanda Nehemiah Yakubu ◽

Natalia A. Anigbogu ◽

Mallo Maren Daniel

Keyword(s):

Attitudinal Change ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Housing Provision ◽

Development Fund ◽

Cultural Variations ◽

Housing Projects ◽

Wide Acceptance ◽

Design Build ◽

North Eastern

Public Private Partnership (PPP) has gained wide acceptance as a strategy for housing provision in many countries. However, the level of success varies from one country to the other due to economic, political and cultural variations. This study examines PPP in housing in Bauchi State in Nigeria using Unity Housing Estate as a case study with the view to examine its performance and to suggest possible measures for improving the effectiveness of the concept. Methods of data collection used were semi-structured interviews and direct observation. Interviews responses were tape-recorded in addition to note taking which were subsequently transcribed and validated. The model of PPP used in the area was the Design-Build-Finance arrangement in which the private party takes the responsibilities for the design, finance and construction of the housing units. The houses were far beyond the affordability level of the target beneficiaries. Some of the challenges depicted were lack of political will, corruption among government agents and private sector developers, insincerity of contacting parties and unavailability of development fund. The study suggests among others, attitudinal change among stakeholders to ensure the success of PPP housing, the need to establish and empower relevant institutions that will help in fighting corruption.

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Inventarisasi Serangan Hama Anakan Meranti Merah (Shorea Selanica) di Lokasi CIMTROP Universitas Palangka Raya Kalimantan Tengah

10.31227/osf.io/hy5gb ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Manya

Keyword(s):

Forest Management ◽

Early Stage ◽

Plantation Establishment ◽

Forest Plantation ◽

Intensive Silviculture ◽

Cultivation Technique ◽

Plantation Development ◽

Fallen Leaves ◽

Good Quality Seed ◽

Forest Rehabilitation

The success of forest plantation development can not be separated from the provision of good quality seed. Most of the work in the form of forest management activities of protection against pests. In supporting the successful planting of plant species dipterocarp seedlings need to do intensive maintenance at the time in the nursery. Because in the maintenance of seedlings in the nursery is always found pests which can cause harm. Meranti cultivation technique has been known among foresters in forest rehabilitation and plantation establishment. Shorea selanica included in the group of red meranti, has few pests that attack, economically destructive and detrimental. Eradication of pests is one that needs attention because without this effort can lead to failure on principle - the principle that the use of intensive silviculture techniques. Given the very low stands attacked by pests, the pest aspects should be considered because it can make the success of HTI problems if not addressed at an early stage. Maintenance seedling red meranti (Shorea selanica) in nursery plays an important role to support the success of planting in the field. However, in the maintenance of seedlings in the nursery is always found the existence of pests which can cause harm, cause the supply of saplings to be reduced. Symptoms of pest attack begin with perforated leaves wither and dry, then fallen leaves and dead plants.

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