Sustainable forest management and plan strengthened in the biggest state-owned forest farm in Pu’er - Positive feedback during a terminal evaluation
The terminal evaluation for the APFNet-funded project 'Integrated Forest Ecosystem Management Planning and Demonstration Project in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (Pu'er Project Site, P.R.China)' was carried out during 18-22 July 2022. It aims to assess the performance, outcomes and impacts of the project. After desk review, a field site visit to Wanzhangshan Forest Farm (WZSFF) and discussion with different stakeholders ranging from the provincial forestry authorities to the local communities, the evaluation team found that all project activities completed are in line with the project plan, on time and were implemented with a high standard, and more importantly, the sustainable forest management of the forest farm was largely enhanced through the project.
Medium- and Long-term Forest Management Plan produced
Three forest management plans were developed for different spatial and temporal scales at Wanzhangshan Forest Farm (WZSFF), including the Master Plan of Integrated Forest Ecosystem Management of WZSFF, Pu'er Prefecture (2017-2036), Forest Management Action Plan of WZSFF, Pu'er Prefecture (2017-2026) and Multi-functional Forest Management Plan for WZSFF’s Sustainable Development. These plans will serve as frameworks to inform policy-makers and guide forestry practitioners, and increase the ecological, social and economic benefits of the forest farm in the long term, while also serving as a model for partner economies in the GMS region.
The ecological and economic function of two common local tree species is enhanced through the demonstration of sustainable forest management measures
Pinus kesiya and Betula alnoides are two common species in Yunnan. However, they were largely monocultural and planted in previous decades, resulting in the forest land productivity decreasing and ecological functions of these two species degraded. Thus, 120 ha of demonstration sites consisting of 3 different stands (40 ha each) of Pinus kesiya and Betula alnoides under commercial and public welfare forest tending were established. To demonstrate the best management practices of these two species, activities were designed respectively by setting up a comparison of different tending measures and thinning intensities. It was well noted during the evaluation that the different thinning measures and target tree management have significantly improved tree growth, ecological function and land productivity of the commercial plantations of both species, while in public welfare forests ecological functions and biodiversity were restored to a certain degree through optimal management.
Efficient resin production was demonstrated and a technical manual developed
To demonstrate efficient resin production of Pinus kesiya plantations, 30ha of the demonstration plots were established. An integrated analysis of resin yield, resin quality, and tree growth was carried out by comparing different thinning intensities, collection intensities, collection methods, and fertilization. Based on this analysis, the “Technical Manual for Pinus kesiya Resin Collection” was produced, which now can be used in wider Yunnan and the surrounding area to improve resin collection techniques of Pinus kesiya.
Integrated secondary forest management practices demonstrated
50 ha of integrated secondary forest management demonstration sites were established based on close-to-nature forest management. Amongst those two methods, understory planting and selective thinning to improve forest ecological functions were used to increase forest productivity and improve the forest ecosystem service function, and increase the comprehensive benefits of these secondary forests.
Precious plant collection garden of the south-subtropical region established
The establishment of a precious plant species garden of the south-subtropical region, with about 100 kinds of species, including south subtropical precious timber species, species of extremely small populations and other forest species with medicinal, flavour and vegetable uses, have been introduced as planned. Labels with species information were tagged on the trees, for environmental education to promote public awareness of biodiversity conservation and forestry sustainable development.
Other activities related to capacity building and project dissemination progressed as planned and improved the overall forest management capacities of WZSFF staff.
Furthermore, the evaluation team suggested that WZSFF should follow the targets and management goals set in the forest management plans to guide their management practices and realize sustainable forest management on the farm to meet the various needs of socio-economic development of the farm. The project demonstration sites established by the project should be well maintained and the significance of monitoring the project outcomes and sample plots over the long term was also emphasized.
APFNet launched the 5-year “Integrated Forest Ecosystem Management Planning and Demonstration Project in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (Pu'er Project Site, P.R.China) [2016P1-GMS-PE]” in Wanzhangshan Forest Farm (WSZFF), Simao District, Pu'er prefecture, Yunnan Province of China in 2017, which is one of the sub-project of the Integrated forest ecosystem management in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), with other projects of the same series in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Viet Nam. The overall goal of the integrated project is to establish demonstration models of integrated forest ecosystem management and sustainable forest management at large for the upstream regions of the Mekong River, thereby improving the quality of the forests and improving their integrated ecological, economic and social functions in the GMS.
A Meeting of the TE team with the project management teams was organized.
Medium- and Long-term Forest Management Plan produced
Three forest management plans were developed for different spatial and temporal scales at Wanzhangshan Forest Farm (WZSFF), including the Master Plan of Integrated Forest Ecosystem Management of WZSFF, Pu'er Prefecture (2017-2036), Forest Management Action Plan of WZSFF, Pu'er Prefecture (2017-2026) and Multi-functional Forest Management Plan for WZSFF’s Sustainable Development. These plans will serve as frameworks to inform policy-makers and guide forestry practitioners, and increase the ecological, social and economic benefits of the forest farm in the long term, while also serving as a model for partner economies in the GMS region.
Field visit to the integrated secondary forests management project site
The ecological and economic function of two common local tree species is enhanced through the demonstration of sustainable forest management measures
Pinus kesiya and Betula alnoides are two common species in Yunnan. However, they were largely monocultural and planted in previous decades, resulting in the forest land productivity decreasing and ecological functions of these two species degraded. Thus, 120 ha of demonstration sites consisting of 3 different stands (40 ha each) of Pinus kesiya and Betula alnoides under commercial and public welfare forest tending were established. To demonstrate the best management practices of these two species, activities were designed respectively by setting up a comparison of different tending measures and thinning intensities. It was well noted during the evaluation that the different thinning measures and target tree management have significantly improved tree growth, ecological function and land productivity of the commercial plantations of both species, while in public welfare forests ecological functions and biodiversity were restored to a certain degree through optimal management.
Project site demonstrating thinning of young and middle-aged Pinus kesiya plantations
Project site demonstrating thinning of Betula alnoides commercial forests
Project sites demonstrating silvicultural treatments of Pinus kesiya and Betula alnoides
Efficient resin production was demonstrated and a technical manual developed
To demonstrate efficient resin production of Pinus kesiya plantations, 30ha of the demonstration plots were established. An integrated analysis of resin yield, resin quality, and tree growth was carried out by comparing different thinning intensities, collection intensities, collection methods, and fertilization. Based on this analysis, the “Technical Manual for Pinus kesiya Resin Collection” was produced, which now can be used in wider Yunnan and the surrounding area to improve resin collection techniques of Pinus kesiya.
The resin production demonstration plot applies techniques, such as the downward tapping method.
Integrated secondary forest management practices demonstrated
50 ha of integrated secondary forest management demonstration sites were established based on close-to-nature forest management. Amongst those two methods, understory planting and selective thinning to improve forest ecological functions were used to increase forest productivity and improve the forest ecosystem service function, and increase the comprehensive benefits of these secondary forests.
Demonstration of integrated secondary forest management (left and middle picture)
and understory planting of Dendrobium in secondary forest (right-hand image)
and understory planting of Dendrobium in secondary forest (right-hand image)
Precious plant collection garden of the south-subtropical region established
The establishment of a precious plant species garden of the south-subtropical region, with about 100 kinds of species, including south subtropical precious timber species, species of extremely small populations and other forest species with medicinal, flavour and vegetable uses, have been introduced as planned. Labels with species information were tagged on the trees, for environmental education to promote public awareness of biodiversity conservation and forestry sustainable development.
Other activities related to capacity building and project dissemination progressed as planned and improved the overall forest management capacities of WZSFF staff.
The precious plant collection garden of the south-subtropical region
Furthermore, the evaluation team suggested that WZSFF should follow the targets and management goals set in the forest management plans to guide their management practices and realize sustainable forest management on the farm to meet the various needs of socio-economic development of the farm. The project demonstration sites established by the project should be well maintained and the significance of monitoring the project outcomes and sample plots over the long term was also emphasized.
APFNet launched the 5-year “Integrated Forest Ecosystem Management Planning and Demonstration Project in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (Pu'er Project Site, P.R.China) [2016P1-GMS-PE]” in Wanzhangshan Forest Farm (WSZFF), Simao District, Pu'er prefecture, Yunnan Province of China in 2017, which is one of the sub-project of the Integrated forest ecosystem management in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), with other projects of the same series in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Viet Nam. The overall goal of the integrated project is to establish demonstration models of integrated forest ecosystem management and sustainable forest management at large for the upstream regions of the Mekong River, thereby improving the quality of the forests and improving their integrated ecological, economic and social functions in the GMS.
