Sustainable forestry in the tropics: panacea or folly? (original) (raw)

This study explores the ongoing debate surrounding sustainable forestry practices in tropical regions, specifically evaluating the effectiveness of sustainable timber management (STM) and sustainable forest management (SFM) as compared to conventional logging (CL). Key questions include the best approach to retain forest cover and the terms defining each forestry practice. The discussion reveals a lack of consensus on whether sustainable practices can effectively conserve biodiversity and if they are superior to outright forest protection. Findings suggest that while SFM may be the only viable solution in many scenarios, the complexities inherent in forest management necessitate a careful re-examination of existing strategies and terminologies.