Evaluating the Efficacy of Malawi's Forest Policy in Achieving Sustainable Forest Management : A Case Study of Chimaliro Forest Reserve in Kasungu District, Malawi.

국문 초록 (Abstract)

본 연구는 말라위의 치말로(Chimaliro) 산림보호구역을 대상으로 위성사진을 통한 9년 간의 녹지경관 변화를 분석하고 원인을 규명하고자 수행되었다. 시계열에 따른 대상지역의 입목상층부의 구조와 임간밀도를 분석하고자, 2013년과 2022년의 Landsat 8 OLI 위성이미지를 사용했다. 이미지 프로세싱 결과 NDVI 분류의 정확도는 93.68%이며 카파계수는 0.8996으로 나타났고, NDVI 분류분석을 통해 총 4개의 지상식생등급을 식별했다. 연구결과 2013년과 2022년 사이에 건강한 숲의 면적은 6791.4 ha가 감소하였는데 이는 전체면적의 72%에 해당된다. 특히, 우량림의 경우 77.22ha(62%)가 감소했고, 무입목지나 산림황폐지의 경우 각각 5479.1ha(295%), 1389.5ha(36.4%) 증가하였다. 이같은 임지황폐화 및 임지면적감소의 주요 원인으로는 효과적인 산림정책의 부재, 거버넌스의 효율적 운영이 필요한 것으로 나타났다.

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study was conducted to analyze the changes in green landscape over a period of 9 years using satellite imagery in the Chimaliro Forest Reserve in Malawi and to identify the causes of these changes. To analyze the structure of over-story and tree density of the study area according to the time series, Landsat 8 OLI satellite images from 2013 and 2022 were used. The image processing results showed an accuracy of 93.68% and a kappa coefficient of 0.8996 for NDVI classification, and a total of four ground vegetation classes were identified through NDVI classification analysis. The results of the study revealed that the area of healthy forests decreased by 6791.4 hectares between 2013 and 2022, which accounted for 72% of the total area. Specifically, the area of high-quality forests decreased by 77.22 hectares (62%), while the areas of non-forested land and forest degradation increased by 5479.1 hectares (295%) and 1389.5 hectares (36.4%) respectively. The main causes of this forest degradation and decrease in forest area were found to be the absence of effective forest policies and the need for efficient governance system.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• CHAPTER ONE 1
• 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1
• 1.1 Background 1
• 1.2 Problem Statement 3
• 1.3 Objectives of the Study 4
• 1.4 Research Questions 4
• 1.5 Hypothesis 4
• 1.6 Significancy of the Study 5
• 1.7 Justification of the Study 5
• CHAPTER TWO 7
• 2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 7
• 2.1 Forest Governance 7
• 2.2 Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) 10
• 2.3 Policy Process Implementation 11
• 2.4 Activities for Sustainable Forest Management in Malawi 13
• 2.5 Remote Sensing 15
• 2.5.1 Definition of remote sensing 15
• 2.5.2 Remote Sensing and Electromagnetic Energy 16
• 2.5.3 Vegetation Cover and Remote Sensing 16
• CHAPTER THREE 21
• 3.0 MATERIAL AND METHODS 21
• 3.1 Study Area 21
• 3.2 Data Collection Methods 22
• 3.2.1 Satellite Images 22
• 3.2.2 Selection of Forest Experts for Interviews 22
• 3.2.3 Review of Secondary Data and Documents 22
• 3.3 Data Analysis 23
• CHAPTER FOUR 26
• 4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 26
• 4.1 Introduction to the Findings 26
• 4.2 Detecting Forest Cover Change 26
• 4.2.1 Land Cover Map from 2013 Landsat 8 OLI Image 29
• 4.2.2 Land Cover Map from 2022 Landsat 8 Image 32
• 4.2.3 Land Cover Change Trend from 2013 to 2022 34
• 4.2.4 Accuracy Assessment of Land Cover Classes 35
• 4.3 Forest Policy Gaps 36
• 4.4. Factors Limiting Effective Policy Implementation 38
• 4.4.1. Poor Coordination among the Departments 39
• 4.4.2 Inadequate Capacity among Key Stakeholders of the Forest Sector 39
• 4.4.3. Inadequate Extension Staff 41
• 4.4.4. Low Funding on Forestry Development and Research 42
• 4.4.5. Ineffectiveness of Existing Regulations in Addressing Forest Loss 42
• 4.5 Policy Recommendations 43
• 4.5.1. Improve Forest Governance 43
• 4.5.2. Invest in Forest Based Enterprises 44
• 4.5.3. Conduct Forest Policy Meetings with Legislatures, Politicians and Local Leaders 45
• 4.5.4. Provide Incentives to People to Promote Management of Forests 46
• CHAPTER FIVE 47
• 5.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 47
• 5.1 Conclusion and Recommendations 47
• 5.2 Recommendations for Future Research 50
• BIBIOGRAPHY 51
• Appendix 1: Research Interview Questionnaire for Forest Experts 59