2014年-世界发展银行全球_Republic_of_Moldova_Forest_Policy_Note_58页_1mb

Republic of Moldova Forest Policy Note Summary

Core Content

This report, prepared by the World Bank, provides an overview of the forest sector in Moldova and outlines strategic recommendations for reform and development. It emphasizes the need for institutional and policy changes to improve the sustainability and productivity of the forest sector, while also addressing the economic, social, and environmental challenges associated with it.

Main Points

1. Forest Resources and Coverage

• Moldova has 11% forest cover, totaling 379,300 hectares, which is below the European average of 45%.
• Forests are mainly located in the central part of the country, with fewer in the north and even fewer in the south.
• The majority of forests are broadleaved, with non-native conifers making up 2% of the forest area.

2. Economic and Social Context

• Moldova's poverty rate remains high, with 45% of the population surviving on 5 USD per day or less.
• The bottom 40% of the population is largely rural, and many rely on forests for fuelwood and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) such as berries, nuts, mushrooms, and fodder.
• The direct economic contribution of the forest sector is 0.27% of GDP (2010), but it provides critical environmental services such as carbon sequestration, soil protection, and water regulation.
• The value of forest ecosystem services is estimated at around 28 million USD per year, with the potential to grow by 0.6 million USD per year under business-as-usual conditions over the next 25 years. However, this is expected to decline after 27 years due to forest degradation and climate change.

3. Forest Management and Institutions

• The State Forest Agency Moldsilva is the central authority for forestry and hunting and manages 83% of the National Forest Fund (NFF).
• Local Public Authorities (LPAs) manage 4% of the NFF, while the remaining 13% is privately owned.
• Moldsilva has 25 subdivisions, including 16 state forest enterprises, 4 state forestry and hunting enterprises, 4 natural reserves, and ICAS (Institute for Forestry Research and Management Planning).
• Moldsilva is self-financing with revenues of 20.46 million USD and expenditures of 21.51 million USD in 2013.
• Forest Management Plans (FMPs) are in place for Moldsilva forests, but not for LPA forests, which are more vulnerable to unregulated harvesting.

4. Challenges in the Forest Sector

• Unregulated harvesting accounts for 80% of the total forest increment, with estimated consumption of 1.1 million m³ per year compared to official harvests of 400,000 m³.
• Illegal logging is a significant issue, contributing to forest degradation and loss of biodiversity.
• Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are underdeveloped in the forest and wood processing sectors.
• Institutional inefficiencies and lack of transparency hinder the sector's development.

5. Climate Change Impacts

• Moldova's forests are vulnerable to climate change, with temperature and precipitation changes expected to affect forest growth and survival.
• Northern areas are expected to experience die-back (trees drying out) in 15–25% of the area by 2010–2039.
• Southern areas will face further degradation by 2040–2069.
• Afforestation and diversified forest management are needed to adapt to climate change.

6. Opportunities for Reform

• Institutional reform is the highest priority, including the separation of management, regulatory, and control functions.
• Capacity building and technology transfer are essential for modernizing the sector.
• Private sector engagement can support the development of rural SMEs in forest-related activities.
• Sustainable wood supply and afforestation are critical to reducing illegal logging and supporting energy security.

7. World Bank Collaboration Opportunities

• The World Bank has already engaged in forestry-related projects, including carbon sequestration and sustainable land management.
• The report outlines potential areas for World Bank assistance, including:
  • Modernizing forest institutions and research
  • Building sustainable wood supply
  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation
  • Protected area management and biodiversity conservation

Key Recommendations

• Reform the institutional structure of the forest sector to separate management, regulatory, and control functions.
• Strengthen the capacity of forest institutions and support the development of a GIS-based forest management information system (FMIS).
• Engage the private sector to promote rural SMEs in harvesting, afforestation, and processing.
• Implement a national wood energy program using short rotation, fast-growing energy crops.
• Expand afforestation efforts to degraded lands and water protection zones.
• Develop a national forest inventory (NFI) and forest standard to support international reporting and policy-making.
• Improve public perception of the forestry sector through enhanced communication and certification (e.g., FSC or PEFC).
• Integrate a landscape approach to climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation.

Conclusion

The report highlights the urgent need for institutional reform, capacity building, and sustainable management of Moldova's forests. These reforms are critical to reducing poverty, enhancing rural employment, and protecting the environment. The World Bank is positioned to play a key role in supporting these initiatives, particularly through technical assistance, research, and afforestation programs. A holistic and integrated approach is necessary to ensure long-term sustainability of the forest sector and resilience of Moldova's landscapes in the face of climate change.