This is the question posed by Dennis Dykstra in the latest issue of the Journal of Tropical Forest Science.
This thought provoking editorial discusses the origin and future direction of reduced-impact logging. The guest editorial appears in the Journal of Tropical Forest Science (Vol. 24 (1), 2012). The article discusses the possible origins of the phrase “reduced-impact logging” and its acronym RIL. The companies, NGO’s, governmental institutions, research institutions and researchers involved in initial RIL development are summarised as a historical overview.
Interesting reflection takes place on the acceptance of the term RIL by environmentalists, and the way it became considered standard logging practice in tropical forests around the globe. This was due to the increased focus on sustainable forest management (SFM) and the implementation of related certification schemes such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). RIL was also seen by companies as a practice to ensure safe, productive and environmentally sound logging operations. Because RIL has become such an integral component of SFM, the question arose as to whether RIL was still valid as a standalone concept.
In conclusion, the editorial suggests that RIL has not outlived its usefulness, but has matured to the point where RIL can be more site-specific and achieve objectives other than only timber production. For a more complete account of the article, please access the Journal of Tropical Forest Science at http://www.frim.gov.my/v1/JTFSOnline/index.cfm
This thought provoking editorial discusses the origin and future direction of reduced-impact logging. The guest editorial appears in the Journal of Tropical Forest Science (Vol. 24 (1), 2012). The article discusses the possible origins of the phrase “reduced-impact logging” and its acronym RIL. The companies, NGO’s, governmental institutions, research institutions and researchers involved in initial RIL development are summarised as a historical overview.
Interesting reflection takes place on the acceptance of the term RIL by environmentalists, and the way it became considered standard logging practice in tropical forests around the globe. This was due to the increased focus on sustainable forest management (SFM) and the implementation of related certification schemes such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). RIL was also seen by companies as a practice to ensure safe, productive and environmentally sound logging operations. Because RIL has become such an integral component of SFM, the question arose as to whether RIL was still valid as a standalone concept.
In conclusion, the editorial suggests that RIL has not outlived its usefulness, but has matured to the point where RIL can be more site-specific and achieve objectives other than only timber production. For a more complete account of the article, please access the Journal of Tropical Forest Science at http://www.frim.gov.my/v1/JTFSOnline/index.cfm