The Impacts of COVID-19 on the Sustainable Management of the Forestry Sector in Southern Africa

P.W. Chirwa; J.M. Kamwi; G. Kabia; L. Makhubele; W. Sagona; N. Matakala; P. Gondo

doi:10.1505/146554821833992785

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12 October 2021 The Impacts of COVID-19 on the Sustainable Management of the Forestry Sector in Southern Africa

P.W. Chirwa, J.M. Kamwi, G. Kabia, L. Makhubele, W. Sagona, N. Matakala, P. Gondo

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International Forestry Review, 23(3):298-308 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1505/146554821833992785

Abstract

COVID-19 had an 80% impact on forest management operations. Community forests (53%) and nature parks (96%) were the most affected. The COVID-19 pandemic had a moderate to severe impact on forest conversion to agriculture land. The pandemic resulted in serious levels of illegal logging. From the forest production perspective, the impact of COVID-19 on production, supply, demand and price of timber was low. SUMMARY The objective of the study was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sustainable forest management in southern Africa. The study employed a targeted approach, also referred to as purposive sampling, to select respondents from the various sectors. The results show that COVID-19 had an 80% impact on forest management operations. The COVID-19 pandemic did not have a significant effect on the conversion of land from forest to other land uses. However, there was severe illegal logging and moderate to severe fires. The COVID-19 pandemic also had a severe impact on the agriculture, environment and ecotourism sectors, with nature reserves completely closed. From the forest production perspective, the impact of COVID-19 on production, supply, demand and the price of timber was generally low due to the commercial nature of the forestry sector in South Africa; the largest economy in SADC being classified as an essential sector.

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P.W. Chirwa, J.M. Kamwi, G. Kabia, L. Makhubele, W. Sagona, N. Matakala, and P. Gondo "The Impacts of COVID-19 on the Sustainable Management of the Forestry Sector in Southern Africa," International Forestry Review 23(3), 298-308, (12 October 2021). https://doi.org/10.1505/146554821833992785

Published: 12 October 2021

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