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Forestry professionals’ knowledge of and attitudes towards the practice of continuous cover forestry (CCF). Lucie Vítková University College Dublin, School of Agriculture & Food Science, Forestry Department, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland. Irish forests. Photo: Dr Brian Tobin.
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Forestry professionals’ knowledge of and attitudes towards the practice of continuous cover forestry (CCF) Lucie Vítková University College Dublin, School of Agriculture & Food Science, Forestry Department, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland
Irish forests Photo: Dr Brian Tobin
Why focusing on attitudes? • CCF represents an unfamiliar and novel approach to forest management • Implementation of new management is influenced by: • Attitudes • Knowledge • Values • Attitudes of forestry professionals -> Limited
Methods • On-line survey • General information on CCF • Statements framed in the context of issues regarding CCF • Demographic questions • Additional comments • Participants • Coillte Teo. • Teagasc • Forest Service • Association of Irish Forestry Consultants • Other forest management companies in Ireland
Use of CCF • 32% actively use CCF – forest managers • 24% do not use CCF – forest managers • 34% do not use CCF – forestry consultants/advisors • 10% did not mention
Understanding of CCF – all participants • 98% familiar with continuous cover forestry • Silvicultural systems associated with CCF • Shelterwood systems (26%) • Selection systems (22%) • Not mentioned (27%) • natural regeneration, thinning, long-term retention, low impact silviculture, etc.
CCF users (32% respondents) • Reasons for CCF use: • Economic benefit • Broadleaved species • Amenity and recreation • Certification • Extent of CCF use - limited • Area managed under CCF <10% • CCF applied for <10 years
CCF non-users (24% respondents) • Over 1/3 not planning to use CCF in the future ‘... not convinced of CCF, especially with regards to economics...’ ‘... CCF is not a conventional system in Ireland ...’ ‘... local forests are too small and the tree species are not suitable to CCF...’ • Resistance from forest owners: ‘... forest owners desire to generate revenue through clearfell...’ ‘... private forest owners want a ‘fast’ return but CCF has a ‘stigma’ of long term...’
Constraints of CCFall respondents • Can they be overcome? • Education • Training • Research • Increasing awareness
Conclusions • CCF users over-represented • CCF = new concept in Ireland • It can take time for a new concept to be accepted and practiced • Training and research • Understanding the concept -> avoid confusion in terminology • Feasibility studies -> possible markets, transport and processing • Promoting and awareness raising • Home-grown and high-grade construction timber • Making forest owners aware of CCF => Forest owners determine management objectives • ‘... CCF can be extremely difficult but also logical and natural ...’
Funding: COFORD - Council for Forest Research and Development Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine under the National Development Plan, Ireland