Pandemic-induced shocks and shifts in forest-based livelihood strategies: learning from COVID-19 in the Bia West District of Ghana

The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped societies and will continue to do so. Despite its salience, micro-scale evidence on how this pandemic reshapes the livelihood strategies of forest communities in sub-Saharan Africa are lacking. To bridge this lacuna, this paper analyses the dynamics around forest-based livelihood strategies in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Bia West District of Ghana. Key informant interviews (n = 8) and a survey of forest-dependent households (n = 100) were conducted to generate relevant data. The study identified fuelwood harvesting, medicinal plants extraction, fruit-gathering and beekeeping as the four livelihood activities that were predominantly practised in the study communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis established an increase in the number of households that diversified into fuelwood harvesting. Regarding medicinal plants collection as a livelihood strategy, less than 10% of households either diversified or intensified this practice with similar charges recorded in fruit-gathering and beekeeping. The logistic regression disclosed gender, household size, education and income, as the socioeconomic variables that significantly predict livelihood diversification and intensification during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the financial, social and physical asset base of households significantly shaped livelihood diversification. Diversification into fuelwood collection, medicinal plants extraction and beekeeping were the strategies that showed a significant positive correlation with the well-being outcomes of forest-based households. While this paper provides fresh evidence to inform the vulnerability dimension of the sustainable livelihoods framework, it further calls for policy interventions to build pandemic-resilient livelihood strategies around forest communities.

Opinions of forest administration employees on using electronic sales in the sales of forest products

This research was carried out to determine the opinions of the implementing personnel regarding electronic sales methods, which have started being used in the sale of wood-based forest products. Within the scope of the research, a survey was conducted with 323 personnel working in various units of the General Directorate of Forestry and working in electronic sales. Basic statistical tests and the chi-square test were used in the analysis of the research data. According to the research findings, the use of electronic sales in the sales of forest products, which started in 2019 with the reflection of technological developments in forestry, has become widespread with the Covid -19 pandemic period. Electronic sales, which were approached cautiously at the beginning by practitioners, were adopted due to the curfews during the pandemic process, the risks born with doing business face-to-face, the ease, reliability, speed and fairness etc. of the method and the consideration that it was more advantageous compared to in-person sales. It is thought that the method plays a role in the increase in the sales prices of forest products along with other reasons. The most negative aspect of the method is the reduction of direct communication-interaction with customers.

Situation of the Slovenian Sawmill Sector in 2019

The main objective of the survey was to assess the current situation in the sawmill industry in Slovenia (i.e., the number of sawmills, the amount of wood cut, the use of residues and the impact of the covid-19 pandemic). Prior to the 2019 survey, a list of 1,128 enterprises was compiled from various databases that registered C16 (wood processing) as their main or secondary activity. Completed questionnaires were provided by 588 companies, 328 of which are involved in the sawmilling activities. The total volume of the sawn roundwood recorded in 2019 was 1.71 million m3, with conifers predominating at 84%. The sawmills that participated in the survey produced 633,894 m3 of sawn timber products, 237,389 tons of sawdust and 252,655 m3 of bulky residues. In addition, 63% of participating companies were affected by the covid-19 epidemic during the first wave between March and May 2020.

The economic value of the wildlife trade in Vietnam

This report reviews available data on the financial contributions of the wildlife trade at national, local and household levels, and discusses opportunities for and challenges to managing the trade in Vietnam. Wildlife farming generates significant earnings for many households in many provinces, and creates employment opportunities for the rural workforce. The fact that many households in many provinces depend on wildlife farming as their main source of income also creates major challenges for wildlife conservation and management. Diversifying and developing sustainable local livelihoods and economic growth are essential for local well-being and for effective wildlife conservation and management. Developing a holistic approach is essential for addressing illegal wildlife trading and ensuring sustainable legal wildlife farming. Although research and efforts to document and analyze the economic value of wildlife farming and trading have increased, available data are often outdated and based on small sample sizes from limited numbers of study sites. A well-functioning, transparent and accountable monitoring and evaluation system together with financial support for research on legal and illegal wildlife trading, especially in the context of COVID-19, are essential for effective wildlife conservation in Vietnam.

Labor market in forest industry amid corona crisis

This article presents the effect of COVID-19 on the labor market in the forestry industry of Russia. The demand dynamics of the labor market 2 years before COVID-19 was decreasing, which then deteriorated sharply as the pandemic came. Because of this, the regional structure of the labor market and the level of competition for decreasing vacancies but increasing job applications were affected as well. The salary in the industry rose, although the trend is primarily associated with decreasing demand for line personnel and inherently low level of income for specialists. As for the labor demand in specialists, among the five most demanded in the industry include managers and heads of production, engineers, technologists, designers, and foremen, with vacancies also offered to joiners and carpenters, mechanics. locksmiths, assemblers, fitters, and CNC machine operators. Lastly, the general portraits of job candidates were presented. Majority of candidates are men, with specialists aged 26-35 and 36-45 prevailing, and those under 22 show the least interest in the industry. Approximately 60% of candidates graduated from university, 20% from colleges, and 13% with secondary education, with the majority having over 6 years of work experience. Salary expectations of candidates were distributed as follows: 40,000-60,000 rubles - 28%, 30,000-40,000 rubles - 20%, 60,000-80,000 rubles - 17%.

Estimation of willingness to pay for public benefit evaluation of forest roads in recreational forests

The purpose of this research is to analyze recreational forest visitors' behavior and to estimate public benefit from forest roads, which play various and positive roles, such as open green space, timber production, forest management, and forest fire prevention. A DBCV (double bounded contingent valuation) onsite survey was conducted nationwide from July 20th~August 7th in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis result of 500 respondents proves that the improvement of accessibility for forest users and the provision of recreation opportunities and recreational facilities through forest road development (both in quality and quantity) substantially affects forest users' economic welfare in recreational forests (RF). Also, the survey result shows 4.6 visits within 3 years for forest scenery and refreshment with family. About 60% of the respondents recognize the importance of forest roads within recreational forests and about 80% represent a positive response to the contribution of recreational forest roads. The WTP (willingness to pay) of the respondents through the logit model applied is estimated at KRW 1,803.04 per person/visit for a year and the result of benefit expansion based on the WTP estimation is calculated to be KRW 43.24 billion. Hence, the result shows that increasing forest road quality and quantity within the RF contributes to forest users' economic welfare in terms of forest recreational satisfaction. It will be the fundamental data on economic analysis related to forest-road construction plans and forest policies reflecting the increasing demand of consumers based on their preference.

COVID-19, digital dreams and innovations

This paper presents the results of a survey conducted during the coronavirus outbreak to the leading companies in the industry and participants of the XXII European Fastmarkets/RISI conference about the current level of economic development, expectations and priorities in the timber industry / pulp and paper industry, and digitalization trends.

Pandemic pandemonium in the tropical timber sector: measures to contain COVID-19 are having devastating impacts on the tropical timber sector

This paper describes the impact of COVID-19 on the tropical timber sector. An ITTO survey of stakeholders shows that the measures are having devastating impacts on the tropical timber sector. Correspondents in Brazil, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Viet Nam were asked in April to use their networks to seek answers to questions on the impacts of the pandemic. Highlights of the responses are: (1) unemployment;(2) economic decline;(3) low output production in the forestry and timber sector;and (4) financial losses in timber sector.

Timber housing economy in Brazil: 2013 to 2022 scenarios and crises

Timber housing sector has several features and is essential for civil construction and forestry chains. In Brazil, the economy related to timber housing is still an unprecedented topic. Thus, the paper aimed to estimate scenarios to delimit the annual volume of this sector. Three years were studied from rare data available in the literature. From these national outcomes, projections for next years were developed. Multiple case approaches composed the literature-based methodology. As a result, the sector endured distinct internal and external economic instabilities, whose associated factors compiled political and sanitary crises, specially, with negative influences. The economy of timber housing reached an average about 500 million Dollars in 2014, being halved in 2015 due to the government crisis marked by the impeachment of the Brazilian president. From 2016 to 2019, small improvements were verified for this sector. In 2020, this favorable scenario was stagnated by the global Covid-19 pandemic. After 2021, a sectoral recovery is forecast based on positive expectations on the Brazilian economy. The two-year period of domestic presidential impeachment was more economically catastrophic than the current three-year phase of sanitary pandemic with global implications. From our economic forecasts, it was possible to attest that the Brazilian sector of timber houses is economically perceptible.

Effect of agroforestry on community wellbeing in Kyannamukaaka Sub County, Masaka

Community wellbeing is dependent on agroforestry, which provides social, economic, health and ecological benefits for man, and has proved essential in the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper purposely examines the effect of agroforestry on community wellbeing with a focus on the benefits of tree-crop interactions on community's wellbeing, and limitations to adoption of tree-crop interactions in Kyanamukaaka Sub County. The paper employs a cross-sectional survey design using qualitative data collection approaches. The paper targets 35 farmers from which 32 practicing in tree-crop interactions were determined by Krejcie and Morgan sample size determination table. Respondents were purposely selected and participated in the study. Data was collected through interview, observation and documentary review. Later, it was organized, transcribed and triangulated to develop themes for interpretation, analysis and discussion. Results indicate that tree-crop interactions offer socioeconomic [food (96.9%), local herbs (100%), fodder (52.6%), raw material (62.5%), firewood and income (90.6%), employment (37.5%) and ecological (conserves soil fertility and moisture conservation (50%)), controls soil erosion runoff (59.4%), protect soil health (28.1%) and act as habitats organisms (34.4%)] benefits. Furthermore, other themes included;climate change (84.4%), land size and ownership (90.6%), inadequate competences (50%) anthropocentrism (56.2%), poor quality and high costs of farm inputs (96.9%) and diseases (93.7%) as limitations to adoption of tree-crop interactions. The paper concludes that tree-crop interactions were of benefit to the community. However, observations show that some households had no trees while the others cut trees unsustainably on their farmlands. Therefore, to increase adoption of tree-crop interactions and diversity, Kyannamukaaka Sub County and Masaka District should create awareness and build farmers' capacity in climate change resilience, underground forestry management, tree growing and energy efficient technologies.

The impact of COVID-19 on Turkish forest products industry

In the present paper the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Turkish forest products industry was investigated with the help of qualitative research methods. Focus groups and interview methods were adopted as the methodology. The scope of the study is limited to wood-based panel, laminate flooring and furniture industries which are the leading branches within forest products industry of Turkey. The respondents are white-collar workers randomly chosen from engineers, managers or marketing directors of large-sized enterprises from Ankara and Bursa. The enterprises were limited with mentioned cities due to these cities are of great importance for the industry in management and marketing activities. Results showed that COVID-19 pandemic affected the labour force and income negatively. The key finding of this work is that if the pandemic lasts longer the substantial economic side effects will be inevitable. Also, the results suggest that at first the companies should focus on raw material supply and secondly to domestic market rather than the international market.