Integrated analysis of forest policies and their impacts on landscape and lifescape dynamics: A case study in the Walanae Forest Management Unit, Indonesia

Abstract

Abstract In the past few decades, forest policies have caused changes in forest landscape and community lifescape in the study area of Walanae Forest Management Unit (KPH Walanae), South Sulawesi Province. This research aims to analyze forest policy dynamics and their impacts on landscape and lifescape dynamics. We quantify landscape dynamics using land use and land cover change and landscape metrics in interpreting remote sensing results of four data sets obtained in 1990, 2000, 2009, and 2016. Furthermore, we investigate lifescape dynamics using qualitative/quantitative description. We found a rapid land use change in forest landscapes within the past 26 years. A significant change showed that, in 1990–2000, the primary forest that changed into the secondary forest and shrubs has changed into dry land agriculture mix shrubs. The decreased area of the forest brought an increase in economic income for people on one side and large disturbances and forest fragmentation on the other. Various forest policies influenced the forest composition and cover but were insufficiently successful in protecting the natural forest. Results showed that several forest policies that considerably impact the landscape and lifescape conditions include forest land designation, industrial forest plantation, and restoration activities. The policies on establishing KPH and social forest program have not shown the maximum result on the landscape and lifescape improvements and, therefore, must be supported.

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