Biological Diversity and New Forest Policies in Japan

1
Biological Diversity and New Forest Policies
in Japan

• Case Study on
• Integration of Biological Diversity
• into National Forest Policies

Fujiwara Takashi, Forestry and forest Products
research Institute
2
Introduction to Japanese Forest

• Variety of Forests Range from sub-tropical
  Forests to Alpine forest.
• 67 of the Land is Covered with Forests of which
  41 is Plantation.
• In terms of forest cover rate, Japan is one of
  the most densely-forested counties in the world.
  However, due to high population, forest area per
  capita is relatively low.

3
Basic Forest Legislation in Japan and its resent
revision
Forest Law 1891
Forestry Basic Law 1964
the Public Interest and Expectation Serious
Situation of Economic Condition around
Forestry International Policy Development for SFM
Back Ground
2000 New Forest and Forestry Basic Policy to
Fulfill the Multi-Functional Role of Forests in a
Sustainable way through Sustainable Forest
Management
2001 Forest and Forestry Basic Law
2001 Revision of Forest Law
4
The Public Expectations

• Trend of Public Expectations with regards to
  Forests
• Source Public opinion poll on forests and human
  life(Cabinet office)

1980
1986
1993
1999
Ranking
Disaster prevention
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Headwater conservation
Global warming mitigation
Atmospheric purification
Wild plants and animals
Outdoor education
Health and recreation
Forest products
Wood products
5
Factors affecting Forestry Production Comparison
between 1980 and 1999
Wholesale price index
Price index of wood products
Price of construction materials
Price of sugi log
Labor cost for harvesting
Price of seedlings
Price of Western Hemlock
Price of Sugi stumpage
6
Forest and Forestry Law2001

• Chapter 1 -General Provisions
• Chapter 2 -Forest and Forestry Basic Plan
• Chapter 3 -Measures Relating to Performance of
  Multi-Functionality of Forests
• Chapter 4 -Measures Relating to Sustainable and
  Sound Development of Forestry
• Chapter 5 -Measures Relating to Stable Supply
  and Use of Forest Products
• Chapter 6 -Administrative and Other Organizations
• Chapter 7 -Forest Council

7
Forest and Forestry Law2001

• Chapter 1 -General Provisions
• Chapter 2 -Forest and Forestry Basic Plan
• Chapter 3 -Measures Relating to Performance of
  Multi-Functionality of Forests
• Chapter 4 -Measures Relating to Sustainable and
  Sound Development of Forestry
• Chapter 5 -Measures Relating to Stable Supply and
  Use of Forest Products
• Chapter 6 -Administrative and Other Organizations
• Chapter 7 -Forest Council

8
Biodiversity in the Basic Law (1)

• Basic Idea
• Policy target the performance of
  multi-functionality of forests including
  conservation of the natural environment
• Basic Plan
• The plan should
• specify targets for the performance of
  multi-functionality, and
• be harmonized with the basic plan of the
  environment

9
Biodiversity in the Basic Law (2)

• Measures for Multi-functionality
• Restriction of activities which may hinder the
  conservation of forests in order to ensure the
  conservation of forests
• Promotion of the voluntary activities of private
  bodies for the greening and conservation of
  forests
• International Collaboration and Contribution
• The government should make conscious efforts to
  promote international collaboration for the
  development of criteria on forest improvement and
  conservation, and to promote international
  cooperation including technical and financial
  cooperation to developing regions.

10
Forest and Forestry Basic Plan

• The Basic Plan is composed of four chapters
• I. Basic Policies for Forest and
  Forestry-Related Measures,
• II Targets for Performance of
  Multi-Functionality of Forests and for Supply and
  Use of Forest Products,
• III Measures to be Formulated in Comprehensive
  and Systematic Manner Regarding Forests and
  Forestry and
• IV Necessary Matters for Comprehensive and
  Systematic Promotion of Forest and
  Forestry-Related Measures.

11
Biodiversity in the Basic Plan(1)
Performance targets for multi-functionality of
forest Forests are classified in three categories
Categories Mil. ha
Water/soil 13.0 52
Ecological/ cultural/.. 5.5 22
Sustainable wood resources 6.6 26
Total 25.1 100
Targets are established for each category
12
Biodiversity in the Basic Plan(2)

• Regardless of the category of forest, all
  forests contribute to the conservation of
  biological diversity as they provide habitats for
  diverse animals and plants, making it essential
  to consider this aspect for all forests

13
Biodiversity in the Basic Plan(3)

• Performance Targets for Forests for conservation
  of ecological, cultural, historical, recreational
  and spiritual values
• About 20 of Japanese forests are under this
  category
• 60 of this forests are under natural forest
  management

14
Biodiversity in the Basic Plan(4)

• Required Government Measures
• Dissemination of Forest management plan system ?
  promotion of thinning/ planting
• Forest monitoring featuring biological diversity
• Examination of new way of sharing the social cost
  including water source tax

15
Forest planning system in Japan
Forest and Forestry Basic Plan Government
The Basic Law
Nationwide Forest Plan Minister of Ag., Forestry
and Fisheries
The Forest Law
Private Forests
National Forests
Regional Forest Plan Prefectural Governor
Regional Forest Plan for National Forest Director
of Regional Forest Office
Municipal Forest Plan Mayer
Forest management plan Forest Owners
16
Forest Management Plan

• A forest owner may formulate a forest management
  plan for a period of five years and request
  approval of the head of the municipality.(Article
  11 of the Forest Law)

17
Forest Management Plan
Head of Municipality
Set approval criteria
National Government and Prefectural Government
2
Formulate 5 year plan Request approval
of appropriateness
1
Approval of the plan

Accordance with -Criteria made
by MAFF and -Municipal forest plan
Direction of forest management Outline of the
forest Cutting/restocking method etc
3
Forest owners
Offer incentives Subsidies Tax
18
Implication to International Policy Development

• Constraints in Forest-related Policy
• Less direct financial profits/ Various interest
  parties/ Necessity of widely scattered management
  resources
• Lessons from the Japanese Process
• Consensus of multiple functions and value at
  highest policy level
• Participation of interest parties in planning
  process
• Introduction of incentives
• Empowerment of local governments