Abstract

VALENTE, Sandra; COELHO, Celeste; RIBEIRO, Cristina  and  SOARES, João. Forest Intervention Areas (ZIF): A New Approach for Non-Industrial Private Forest Management in Portugal. Silva Lus. [online]. 2013, vol.21, n.2, pp.137-161. ISSN 0870-6352.

This research contributes to the discussion regarding Forest Intervention Areas (ZIF) in Portugal, analyzing the technical and social perspectives on the potential and constraints of this approach. The size of forestry holdings, the constraints of individual management, the abandonment of rural areas and the frequency and intensity of forest fires in Portugal have stressed the need to strengthen cooperation and organization of small-scale forest owners and producers into a joint strategy for rural resources management. ZIF approach is recognized by technical and political stakeholders as a promising approach for the management of small-scale forest holdings. At local level, ZIF approach was already disseminated, gaining the trust and cooperation of forest owners. However, the absence of effective results is leading to an increasing distrust amongst forest owners and ZIF members.

Keywords : forest management; small forest properties; forest stakeholders; ZIF.

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