The Effect of Local Governance on Incentive Programs for Forest Ecosystem Service Conservation

okuda Toshinori Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University

inoue Makoto Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo yamada Toshihiro Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University hosaka Tatsuro Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University subramanian Suneetha Mazhenchery United Nations University-Institute of Advanced Studies isozaki Hiroshi Graduate School of Global Environmental Sciences, Sophia University ichie Tomoaki Faculty of Agriculture, Kochi University itioka Takao Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University sakai Shoko RIHN

This project examines forest degradation and possible recovery in two states of Malaysia. It examines the scope of deforestation and its effect on forest ecosystem services, and the potential of several international incentive mechanisms, such as carbon and biodiversity offsets, for reducing emissions of greenhouse gases from deforestation and forest degradation, protecting the pristine forests, slowing deforestation and securing forest ecosystem services. We will investigate local community response to the incentive mechanisms in order to describe how local governance systems can facilitate optimal and sustainable use of forest ecosystem services.

Objectives of the study

This project examines the process of deforestation in two states of Malaysia. It documents the background spatio-temporal dynamics associated with forest degradation and deforestation. It also examines the local governance structures that can maintain the ecosystem services and natural resources provided by tropical forests. With this goal, we adopt two approaches to the question of forest governance. First, we examine local governance and the extent to which local people respond to locally-adopted initiatives. Second, we examine the effect of forest protection/development measures adopted by state and federal administrations. Comparative analysis of the two approaches will allow description of the best opportunities in forest preservation policy, and the challenges that remain to be addressed.

Methodology and approach

Field monitoring study takes place in Peninsular Malaysia, and East Malaysia (Sabah or Sarawak), all of which have experienced significant deforestation and are now targeted for reforestation. The key research areas are summarized as below:

1) Predictions of spatio-temporal changes in forest degradation and deforestation, and their associated

• Analysis of landcover changes in the field sites.
• Prediction and risk analysis of the socio-economic backgrounds of deforestation and land degradation processes.
• Simulations focusing on future possible changes in, and optimization of, ecosystem services in the target areas.

2) Studies on the responses of local people to the soft-landing approach and introduction of an incentive mechanism:

• Survey on the reaction and response of local people to forest degradation.
• Survey on how local and global incentive mechanisms would be accepted and used by local people.
• Development of region-custom plans for sustainable use of natural resources.
• Analysis of the compliance of incentive mechanisms to domestic and international laws.

Significance

The proposed study will thus contribute interdisciplinary evaluation of contemporary schemes to enhance biodiversity, and of the significance of local actors in long-term governance of forest ecosystems.