An analysis of forest management abandonment and the values of forest owners

这项研究试图澄清西哇库拉村的小森林是如何以及为什么被遗弃的。结果如下：1)村民放弃经营森林的原因分析。我们采访了村民，询问他们不能继续经营森林的原因。间伐木材失去价值是一个原因，森林经营技术不好是另一个原因，两者都可能是小林主的独特之处。种植的森林经常受到风、雪和哺乳动物的破坏，这也阻止了村民管理他们的森林。他们现在几乎不认识到他们森林的价值。一些业主希望地方或国家政府将他们的森林作为公共物品来管理。2)小森林的历史分布。我们分析了小森林的性质与森林利用历史的关系。私人所有的小森林位于陡峭的斜坡上。过去，村民们利用这些地方获取柴火或草地。因此，这些地方不适合种植森林。位于不合适的地方是现在禁止所有者管理他们的森林的一个原因。3)森林由外部管理的可能性。我们采访了村民，他们是否期望外部，如移民居民或志愿者参与者，能够代表所有者管理废弃的森林。一些村民在村里住了很长时间，他们对外人管理废弃森林的可能性感到悲观。一些村民曾经为了工作而住在村子外，他们乐观地认为，外地人可以管理这片废弃的森林。这些结果表明，返乡村民可以在村民和外来者之间进行谈判，以促进森林经营。

This study tried to clarify how and why the small forests in the village of Nishiawakura were abandoned. The results were as follows.1) The analyses why the villagers abandoned managing their forest.We interviewed the villagers for the reasons why they could not have kept managing their forest. Thinned woods lost their values is one reason, and the forest managing skills were not good is the other reason ; both could be the unique ones of the small forest owners. Grown forests often suffered damages from wind, snows and mammals, which also prohibited the villagers managing their forest. They now hardly recognize the values of their forest. Some of the owners wished local or national government manage their forest as public goods.2) The distribution of small forests according to their history.We analyzed the relationship between the properties of the small forests and the history of forest uses. The small forests under private ownership were located on steep slope. Villagers in the past used the places to gain firewood or meadow. Therefore the places don't suit for growing forests. Located in unsuitable places is one reason now prohibiting the owners managing their forests.3) The possibility of forest management by outsides.We interviewed the villagers whether they expected outsides, such as immigrated residents or volunteer participants, could manage the abandoned forests on behalf of the owners. Some villagers lived in the village for a long time ; they are pessimistic for the possibility that outsiders could manage the abandoned forest. Some villagers once lived outside the-village for job ; they are optimistic for the possibility that outsiders could manage the abandoned forest. These results suggest that returned villagers could negotiate between the villagers and outsiders to promote forest management.