Assessing Sustainability of Logging Practices in the Congo Basin’s Managed Forests: the Issue of Commercial Species Recovery

摘要: Traditionally, sustained yield (SY) has been viewed as a pillar of sustainable forest management (SFM), but this increasingly questioned. Ensuring SY some species, i.e., "strong sustainability" paradigm, could be an inadequate criterion if consideration the social and economic components SFM concept are desired. was translated into ATO/ITTO set principles, criteria, indicators (PCI) for in Congo Basin; it resulted necessity certified logging company to ensure that no significant change structure floristic composition would result from operations. Besides raising question where place threshold, we argue sustainability must considered three indissociable viewpoints: ecological, social, economic. The issue is how balance these knowing assessment will involve potential conflicts representations beliefs. To discuss questions, used example two heavily logged timber species Basin, sapelli ( Entandrophragma cylindricum ) ayous (Triplochiton scleroxylon). Using long-term data collected permanent sample plots M'Baiki, Central African Republic, calibrated matrix model performed short- simulations examine (1) effect repeated under current national regulation system (2) rules should reach SY. require 22% 53% decrease felling intensity E. T. scleroxylon, respectively, at first cut, together with increase overall targeted toward less-used species. Light-demanding scleroxylon open forests regenerate grow. This new probably economically unsustainable industry, not meet ecological requirements encapsulated PCI. We thus stress following points: importance most exploited industry may wood processing capacities become more efficient markets change, potentially providing conditions harvesting greater number species; unavoidable conditions, problem addressed broad scale, notably by ensuring network protected areas; (3) long remains one few sources employment revenues marginalized countries, reducing on every concession appears questionable.