Self-governance and Forest Resources

Book excerpt: Forest resources share attributes with many other resource systems that make difficult their governance and management in a sustainable, efficient and aquitable manner. Destruction or degradation of forest resources is most likely to occur in open-access forests where those involved, or external authorities, have not established effective governace. Conventional theories applied to forest resources presumed that forest users themselves were incapable of organising to overcome the temptations to overharvest. Extensive empirical research, however, has challenged this theory and illustrated the many ways that forest users themselves have devised rules that regulate harvesting patterns so as to ensure the sustainability of forest resources over time. This growing consensus about the attributes of users and resources has been applied in the design of policies intended enhance the participation of local users in the governance and management of common-pool resources, including many forests. Supporting further research-especially studies of forests and their users over time - is an important foundation for even more effective public policies in the future.