Forest ecosystems: sustainable development perspectives and nature conservation

P.W Matakala, 'Forest ecosystems: sustainable development perspectives and nature conservation', Paper presented at the ILTER Seminar, May 2005, p.9, 2004

The forest community and its habitat together comprise an ecological systemâ?? ecosystem, in which the constituent organisms and their environments interact in vast and complex cycles of carbon, water, and nutrients (Spurr and Barnes, 1980) providing humans with significant socio-economic and environmental benefits. In short, forest ecosystems are 'our life'. If forest ecosystems are the basis for human life, then it is important that they are exploited or used in a sustainable way over time. Merging nature/resource conservation and economic development goals and concepts is not easy, but it is necessary for the future survival of natural forests and welfare of humans (Sharma et al. 1992). This implies changing the way in which forest- and tree-based activities are designed and implemented, and it will require concerted efforts by all key actors and increased means to expand the knowledge base (through research and education) about resources, to develop environmental- friendly technologies, to improve the planning and balancing of land uses, and to design and implement more effective institutional mechanisms and policies that will encourage sustainable development. Furthermore, it will require appropriate and coordinated actions at local, national and global levels. The very complex nature of forest ecosystems demands adaptive research, decision-making and development interventions. As we move away from single resource management (such as timber) to adaptive ecosystem management, management complexity increases and the intrinsic benefits to humans as well as environmental protection values also increase. This paper is divided into six sections. Section 2 lays out the conceptual framework for achieving balance between use and nature or resource conservation and Section 3 provides a brief background to the natural resource situation and key issues in Mozambique. Section 4 highlights the major research and development issues as well the roles of key actors in sustainable forest management and conservation. Section 5 provides the conclusions followed by references in Section 6