The five MUs are:

104 Sustainable Forest Management – Case Studies

based activities. This step involves the characterisation of forest stands (including areas to be planted or restored) and the definition of specific silvicultural treatments and/or other longterm actions to be put into practice for each stand. The characterization of forest stands is an initial step that aims at creating a rule of thumb for correlating the types of forests found in Southern Brazil and potential uses and management options. In this system, the vegetation present in an area is characterised by its structure, species composition, successional stage, threats and levels of degradation; this information is then correlated with the landowners' views in relation to the area and includes economic expectations and potential management practices. As a result, we can classify the current stage of conservation of most Araucaria Forest into five different vegetation types (discussed further below) which we denominate

The broad characterisation of each MU allows for the definition of a set of specific management actions aimed at achieving their pre-defined goals. Each MU is defined by the available information and by in-site checking which confirms the groups and general management actions; in each area (or stand) it is recommended that a rapid forest inventory take place to complement the information on the available resources which will support the actions to be applied. Based on the goals of each MU, general and specific silviculture approaches are proposed. Depending on the MU, different actions are expected to take place, such as thinning (and definition of which plants to be favoured), planting, pruning, removal/introduction of trees or species or no treatment at all. Specific decisions such as plants to be removed or planted are made in the field during designated field visits

as Management Units – MUs.

Fig. 2. lapSFM System Roadmap

established in the lapSFM.

**Forest with Araucaria predominance MU1 –** this MU is a general designation for all places whose canopy is dominated by *Araucaria angustifolia* (paraná-pine) regardless of the forest structure, composition, and current use. However, under this land use classification it is possible to identity different levels of canopy cover which are related to forest dynamic processes, especially for natural regeneration. In situations where the canopy has a higher density (> 70%) of predominantly overmature (remnant) paraná-pine trees, a near absent natural regeneration is observed. This process seems to be related to paraná-pine life cycle (~ 400 years) which creates light conditions on the forest floor below the limits required for seedlings to thrive; this situation is sometimes exacerbated by the presence of *Dicksonia sellowiana* and other species of fern. On the other hand, when a more open canopy is present, the ability for a regular natural regeneration to occur depends on whether bamboo species *Merostachys skvortzovii* and others are present or not as they take advantage of favorable light conditions and form a homogenous stratum that prevents any regeneration. Although both situations might require natural resources management through direct intervention, legal and political factors constrain most initiatives, leading to land abandonment. Such a situation tends to cause a gradual degradation of forest structure and floristic composition as a result of trees senescence and lack of regeneration accompanied with further bamboo spreading. Although current legislation was designed to halt deforestation it also resulted in farmers no longer holding decision-making power over land use. Their reaction was to convert forested areas into other uses (also by illegal means); this counter-productive situation if not tackled will result in more natural resources degradation while contributing to continued legal, economic and ownership insecurity.

**Structured Forest (Mixed Uneven-aged Forest) MU2 -** Structured Mixed Uneven-aged Forests correspond to secondary forests – regardless of whether or not they contain remnant trees – that have a diversified vertical structure, high tree species richness and in some cases, accumulation of forest biomass and volume. This forest is multi-strata structured with a canopy dominated by shade-tolerant and remnants of intolerant species with one or more additional tree strata. Natural regeneration is abundant with high species diversity, although the development of saplings is severely reduced when the understory is dominated by bamboo. For its structural complexity and the available forest biomass, classical methods of forestry (e.g. group or single-tree selection) may be applied to improve its composition and optimize biomass production with reduced impacts.

The MU2 is considered an ideal type for forest management as it has a developed horizontal and vertical structure. Although it is a secondary forest, its management could include the removal of trees for lumber and firewood as a result of the thinning of trees with undesirable characteristics (multiple stems, rotten, broken) as well as removing senescent pioneer trees (e.g. *Ocotea puberula*). The main goal of the management is to provide more light for regeneration and the development of commercial or ecologically important trees. In addition to thinning, controlling bamboo might be necessary as some species commonly find ideal conditions and tend to become invasive. In the early stages of bamboo development, mostly during seed germination following entire population die-offs, it is possible to control the re-population by a manual sapling removal. However, in most

Sustainable Forest Management in Rural Southern Brazil:

sustainable practices.

Exploring Participatory Forest Management Planning 107

agroforestry can be adopted following a wide variety of practices characterized by the establishment of pure or mixed plantations that might include traditional crops, medicinal plants, trees (both native and exotic) and livestock, or simply allowing forest succession with or without management. In essence, agroforestry systems are here considered as practices that combine the spatial and temporal management of tree species with horticulture and animal husbandry. The main goals of agroforestry is to allow for the diversification of production and income and to use the different ecological interactions that a multi-species system can provide which also tends to promote more environmentally

Along with the management of natural resources using one of the Management Units, it is also essential to monitor the development of each system as specific ecological dynamics might lead to unexpected results. Any silvicultural prescription will necessarily affect the forest in many ways with varying levels of intensity. Therefore, monitoring is a means of assessing the forest response to management practices over time and space. Traditional monitoring systems include the adoption of permanent plots to monitor changes in vegetation structure and composition, soil fertility, water quality and other components that combined determine if the pre-defined goals will be achieved, both economically and environmentally. In forested areas, the implementation of forest inventories can be used as the basis for the monitoring and sometimes is restricted to one or few forest components (trees, regeneration, epiphytes, etc.). Ideally, forest inventories are conducted on a regular basis through permanent or temporary plots. Other methods such as rapid ecological evaluations are also useful tools for identifying general trends in the forest dynamics. Whichever the method chosen, monitoring is very desirable as it allows managers to determine if expected objectives will be achieved. It is worth pointing out that monitoring should not be a task restricted to academic interests but should be used as a tool for

decision-making. As a consequence, local communities should be involved.

systems and manage their forests following a common lapSFM.

**4.2 Case study 1 – Landscape characterised by small rural properties** 

The steps and MUs described are part of a lapSFM that can be applied to landscapes characterised by both small and large properties. However, as land tenure is variable together with cultural and economic factors, adaptable approaches are necessary and should reflect the context of local communities. In the case of large properties, often with a single or reduced number of owners, the management based on the proposed method is also feasible. However, it is of extreme importance that nearby properties are also engaged in discussing potential involvement and natural resources management (e.g. allowing local communities to manage non-wood forest products – NWFP). Such an approach also has the advantage of reducing tensions often found between large and small landowners. On the other hand, regions characterized by small properties in which the management of natural resources lack the scale to reach intended markets, along with the difficulty to produce and implement management plans, local communities are encouraged to act in co-operative

The implementation of the lapSFM in a landscape characterised by a mosaic of small properties took place in the southwest of Paraná State, (Southern Brazil) in an area of approximately 1,200 ha within the Imbituvão River Basin, municipality of Fernandes Pinheiro (25°32'29.64"S, 50°33'44.58"W; Figure 3, A). The project was developed through an international cooperation initiative between the Rottenburg University of Applied Forest Sciences (Germany) and the Midwest State University in Irati (Brazil). The project was

conditions repeated cutting using brushcutters with or without additional procedures such as chemical control might be necessary.

**Degraded Forest MU3 -** in the context of this project Degraded Forests are considered as forests that have suffered intensive logging and may have been affected by forest fires which caused a significant reduction in biomass and volume, as well as substantial changes to their structure and floristic composition (see Lund, 2009 for degradation definition). Remnant trees are of low commercial value (hollow, broken, burned) and possibly rejected during earlier harvestings; such trees are mostly old-growth usually in the senescence process and may occur in densities ranging from 5 to 15 trees per hectare. Under an open canopy there is a variety of possible situations: a) gaps are invaded by short grass under which scarce regeneration is observed (estimated between 500 to 1,500 plants/ha); b) pioneer trees, such as *Mimosa scabrella*, *Vernonia discolor* and others, dominate and might advance in succession or might be invaded by bamboo species; c) a mix of vines, pioneer shrubs and grasses dominate the gaps in which few trees are observed. The relatively open canopy of this type of forest is the main factor that allows bamboo to develop into nearexclusive populations. Such invasive behavior has been observed throughout Southern Brazil. In this kind of forest, natural regeneration is in most cases absent and therefore requires intense understory and bamboo management in order to allow for any commercial or ecological purpose. However, considerable initial income might be possible by removing fallen wood and any wood resulting from the thinning of undesirable trees.

**Dominance of bamboo MU4 –** this management unit is characterized by the dominance of bamboo species (especially *Merostachys skvortzovii* Send.) that show an invasive behavior (although it is a native species) forming highly populated, near-exclusive communities under a very open canopy. When trees are present, it might be related to previous logging or pioneers that took advantage of the last bamboo die-off event; arguably this type of vegetation might not be considered a forest. Large volumes of wood remnants from harvesting and wood debris might be found which can be used for firewood and sometimes even for sawmill processing. This sub-type requires intensive bamboo management. The specific procedures will depend on the degree of bamboo development, but in general it is expected that controlling bamboo populations will increase natural regeneration. Just as in MU3, the control of bamboo can be done manually and with a brushcutter or in more extreme cases, through chemical control or even by using bulldozer blades to remove the plant and/or root systems. After bamboo removal, the development of pioneer species, especially *Mimosa scabrella* is intense depending on seed availability in the seed bank or nearby dispersion. The management of pioneer species, including practices such as thinning, is possible as early as the third year; pioneer communities can be further managed for agroforest or forest systems.

**Abandoned agriculture land MU5** – this type of land cover is characterized by abandoned agricultural areas and is observed especially in small farms. The vegetation is variable and covered by herbaceous (including crops and invasive species regeneration), shrubs and pioneer trees which characterizes early stages of ecological succession. Generally these areas are no longer suitable for annual crops due to depletion in soil fertility following successive crop rotations, although strict environmental legislation and rural out-migration might also be factors in abandonment. Thus, depending on the situation, the state of fallow might last until soil fertility is restored, allowing for new crops, or abandonment continues and forest succession advances (note that legislation severely restricts any land use if succession reaches a stage dominated by pioneer trees). As an alternative to traditional agriculture,

conditions repeated cutting using brushcutters with or without additional procedures such

**Degraded Forest MU3 -** in the context of this project Degraded Forests are considered as forests that have suffered intensive logging and may have been affected by forest fires which caused a significant reduction in biomass and volume, as well as substantial changes to their structure and floristic composition (see Lund, 2009 for degradation definition). Remnant trees are of low commercial value (hollow, broken, burned) and possibly rejected during earlier harvestings; such trees are mostly old-growth usually in the senescence process and may occur in densities ranging from 5 to 15 trees per hectare. Under an open canopy there is a variety of possible situations: a) gaps are invaded by short grass under which scarce regeneration is observed (estimated between 500 to 1,500 plants/ha); b) pioneer trees, such as *Mimosa scabrella*, *Vernonia discolor* and others, dominate and might advance in succession or might be invaded by bamboo species; c) a mix of vines, pioneer shrubs and grasses dominate the gaps in which few trees are observed. The relatively open canopy of this type of forest is the main factor that allows bamboo to develop into nearexclusive populations. Such invasive behavior has been observed throughout Southern Brazil. In this kind of forest, natural regeneration is in most cases absent and therefore requires intense understory and bamboo management in order to allow for any commercial or ecological purpose. However, considerable initial income might be possible by removing

fallen wood and any wood resulting from the thinning of undesirable trees.

**Dominance of bamboo MU4 –** this management unit is characterized by the dominance of bamboo species (especially *Merostachys skvortzovii* Send.) that show an invasive behavior (although it is a native species) forming highly populated, near-exclusive communities under a very open canopy. When trees are present, it might be related to previous logging or pioneers that took advantage of the last bamboo die-off event; arguably this type of vegetation might not be considered a forest. Large volumes of wood remnants from harvesting and wood debris might be found which can be used for firewood and sometimes even for sawmill processing. This sub-type requires intensive bamboo management. The specific procedures will depend on the degree of bamboo development, but in general it is expected that controlling bamboo populations will increase natural regeneration. Just as in MU3, the control of bamboo can be done manually and with a brushcutter or in more extreme cases, through chemical control or even by using bulldozer blades to remove the plant and/or root systems. After bamboo removal, the development of pioneer species, especially *Mimosa scabrella* is intense depending on seed availability in the seed bank or nearby dispersion. The management of pioneer species, including practices such as thinning, is possible as early as the third year; pioneer communities can be further managed

**Abandoned agriculture land MU5** – this type of land cover is characterized by abandoned agricultural areas and is observed especially in small farms. The vegetation is variable and covered by herbaceous (including crops and invasive species regeneration), shrubs and pioneer trees which characterizes early stages of ecological succession. Generally these areas are no longer suitable for annual crops due to depletion in soil fertility following successive crop rotations, although strict environmental legislation and rural out-migration might also be factors in abandonment. Thus, depending on the situation, the state of fallow might last until soil fertility is restored, allowing for new crops, or abandonment continues and forest succession advances (note that legislation severely restricts any land use if succession reaches a stage dominated by pioneer trees). As an alternative to traditional agriculture,

as chemical control might be necessary.

for agroforest or forest systems.

agroforestry can be adopted following a wide variety of practices characterized by the establishment of pure or mixed plantations that might include traditional crops, medicinal plants, trees (both native and exotic) and livestock, or simply allowing forest succession with or without management. In essence, agroforestry systems are here considered as practices that combine the spatial and temporal management of tree species with horticulture and animal husbandry. The main goals of agroforestry is to allow for the diversification of production and income and to use the different ecological interactions that a multi-species system can provide which also tends to promote more environmentally sustainable practices.

Along with the management of natural resources using one of the Management Units, it is also essential to monitor the development of each system as specific ecological dynamics might lead to unexpected results. Any silvicultural prescription will necessarily affect the forest in many ways with varying levels of intensity. Therefore, monitoring is a means of assessing the forest response to management practices over time and space. Traditional monitoring systems include the adoption of permanent plots to monitor changes in vegetation structure and composition, soil fertility, water quality and other components that combined determine if the pre-defined goals will be achieved, both economically and environmentally. In forested areas, the implementation of forest inventories can be used as the basis for the monitoring and sometimes is restricted to one or few forest components (trees, regeneration, epiphytes, etc.). Ideally, forest inventories are conducted on a regular basis through permanent or temporary plots. Other methods such as rapid ecological evaluations are also useful tools for identifying general trends in the forest dynamics. Whichever the method chosen, monitoring is very desirable as it allows managers to determine if expected objectives will be achieved. It is worth pointing out that monitoring should not be a task restricted to academic interests but should be used as a tool for decision-making. As a consequence, local communities should be involved.

The steps and MUs described are part of a lapSFM that can be applied to landscapes characterised by both small and large properties. However, as land tenure is variable together with cultural and economic factors, adaptable approaches are necessary and should reflect the context of local communities. In the case of large properties, often with a single or reduced number of owners, the management based on the proposed method is also feasible. However, it is of extreme importance that nearby properties are also engaged in discussing potential involvement and natural resources management (e.g. allowing local communities to manage non-wood forest products – NWFP). Such an approach also has the advantage of reducing tensions often found between large and small landowners. On the other hand, regions characterized by small properties in which the management of natural resources lack the scale to reach intended markets, along with the difficulty to produce and implement management plans, local communities are encouraged to act in co-operative systems and manage their forests following a common lapSFM.
