Sharing decisions in forests – participatory methodology for public and stakeholder engagement in the protection and valorisation of forests in Portugal

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A bibliometric review of stakeholders' participation in sustainable forest management

Publication . Ciccarino, Irene Dobarrio Machado; Fernandes, Maria Eduarda da Silva Teixeira

Although stakeholders’ participation in forest management helps overcome problems and conflicts that prevent sustain- able solutions, different approaches and nomenclature for similar contents in the literature hinder theoretical progress on the topic. This study organises existing information through a bibliometric analysis of scientific papers from the last 30 years (1991–2021) on sustainable forest management, focusing on the stakeholders’ participation. Results demonstrate that stake- holders’ participation in sustainable forest management gained relevance from 2017 onwards. Case studies are predominant (66%) and six major trends were identified. The first emphasises a systemic approach to participation. The second updates the community management discussion. The third studies historical problems related to the use of resources, rights, and services. The fourth focuses on regional assessments and studies. The fifth concerns assessment, decision-making, and planning, includ- ing issues related to certifications and policies. The sixth discusses innovation related to adaptation, climate change, equity, and resilience. The studies included in this last classification are problem-solving-oriented and seek new forest management. Although important, the role of innovation in stakeholders’ participation in sustainable forest management is overlooked, which constitutes an avenue for future research.

2023-10-17Journal article

Open access

What are forests for? Social perceptions of the functions of public-managed forests following mega-fire events

Publication . Figueiredo, Elisabete; Fernandes, Eduarda; Ribeiro, Cristina; Ferreira, Carla

Despite the growing research interest regarding the perceptions of forest-related stakeholders about forest functions and values, the views of social actors not directly involved in forestry have been largely overlooked, particularly in Southern European countries like Portugal. This article addresses this gap by analyzing the social perceptions regarding the functions of the Matas do Litoral, public-managed forests in the Centre Region of Portugal, severely impacted by the mega-fires of October 2017. Through a hierarchical cluster analysis of survey results collected from 1000 inhabitants of the adjacent parishes of the Matas, three groups were identified—‘‘The Moderately Interested,’’ ‘‘The Comprehensively Interested’’ and ‘‘The Environmentally Interested’’—based on significant differences regarding their perceptions of forest functions, the future of these areas, essential factors for effective forest management, the mega-fires and their consequences. Sociodemographic characteristics—particularly age and literacy levels—forest ownership, knowledge and familiarity with these forests help to explain the differences between the three clusters.

2025-06-03Journal article

Open access

Unveiling the Centrality of Knowledge in Stakeholder Involvement Strategies Regarding Public Forest Management

Publication . Ferreira, Carla; Fernandes, Maria Eduarda; Figueiredo, Elisabete

Stakeholder involvement can foster more socially and environmentally sustainable management of natural resources, including forests. However, few studies have approached the effect of knowledge on stakeholders’ involvement in forest management. This study intends to contribute to filling this gap by exploring the relationship between access to knowledge, involvement, stakeholders’ profiles, and levels of influence and interest regarding public forest management strategies. To this end, this article examines the data collected through a questionnaire directed to all the stakeholders potentially interested in the management of the Matas do Litoral. Matas do Litoral are part of the 3% of publicly managed forests in Portugal. The results reveal a discrepancy between the high levels of interest regarding Matas do Litoral management, and low levels of influence on those processes. Most of the stakeholders surveyed know forest management strategies, and their involvement in those strategies is limited. The proximity and role of governmental organizations are key factors underlying knowledge levels among the various stakeholders. Furthermore, knowledge acts as a critical factor in encouraging the stakeholders’ influence and involvement in management strategies and policies. This study gives insights regarding the need for knowledge management as a tool for empowering local stakeholders and promoting their involvement in bottom-up forest management strategies.

2024-08-21Journal article

Open access

Participatory methods and approaches in the management of Mediterranean forests: a systematic literature review

Publication . Fernandes, M.E.; Ferreira, C.; Figueiredo, E.

Understanding participatory processes and identifying successful implementation methods is key to effective bottom-up sustainable forest management strategies. This paper aims to contribute to that understanding by systematically reviewing the literature dealing with participatory methods to forest management in five European Mediterranean countries (France, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain), specifically identifying the relationship between the level of stakeholder involvement, type of stakeholders and the methods applied, as well as the results obtained, and the main challenges identified. Our findings show that stakeholders commonly involved are NGOs, landowners, companies, and local government bodies. A strong correspondence between the methods used and the purpose and level of stakeholders’ involvement is identified. Social benefits stand out as the most relevant result of this engagement somehow overshadowing economic and environmental ones. Results show that participatory forest management methods are simple and do not depend on sophisticated methods and techniques, so that their wider application depends above all on the will to do so.

2024Journal article

Restricted access

Manual de Metodologias Participativas – um guia para o envolvimento dos agentes na gestão da floresta

Publication . Figueiredo, Elisabete; Fernandes, Eduarda; Ferreira, Carla; Gonçalves, Carlos; Ribeiro, Cristina

Manual de Metodologias Participativas – um guia para o envolvimento dos agentes na gestão da floresta, desenvolvido no âmbito do projeto Share_FOREST, coordenado por Elisabete Figueiredo e Eduarda Fernandes, com coautoria de Carla Ferreira, Carlos Gonçalves e Cristina Ribeiro, e design de Liliana Eusébio.

2024Book

Open access