Sharing rural research, connecting rural research stakeholders
Partager la recherche rurale et mettre en réseau ses partenaires
Source: University of the Highlands and Islands.
Applications are invited for two, three year fully funded PhD studentships in the area of Forestry. The studentships will be based with Inverness College, University of the Highlands and Islands and will be part of the developing research capability at the Scottish School of Forestry.
PhD Studentship: Mapping and Repositioning Forestry Skills for the 21st Century
The aim of this PhD is to explore the ways in which conceptual and theoretical frameworks such as multi- functionality and / or ecosystem services might be combined with a ‘Systems’ approach to enhance understanding of the educational and skills requirements of forestry in the 21st Century.
The PhD will commence in October 2014 and the successful candidate will be based at the University of the Highlands and Islands- Inverness College (Centre for Remote and Rural Studies), Scotland.
The funding associated with this project covers the equivalent of three years, full-time UK/EU tuition fees, plus a stipend (at Research Council UK levels) for three years.
The project is a collaboration between Inverness College UHI and the University of Aberdeen and is funded by Scottish Forestry Commission (Scotland and GB) and the Scottish Forestry Trust.
Informal enquiries about this PhD may be made to Dr Philomena de Lima: philomena.deLima.ic@uhi.ac.uk
For further details and information about this studentship and how to apply go to http://www.inverness.uhi.ac.uk/research
PhD Studentship: Factors controlling the abundance of pine-tree lappet moth (Dendrolimus pini) in north-east Scotland.
This studentship is offered jointly with Forest Research and builds upon research undertaken since 2009 to investigate population densities and distribution of the newly discovered and only known breeding population of the pine tree lappet moth in the UK, The project will determine what level of risk this species may pose to pinewoods, including Caledonian Pinewood Inventory forests, both now and under future climate scenarios.
In particular it will focus on the potential contribution of British native parasites, predators, and other natural control agents and climate in regulating populations of pine-tree lappet moth in north-east Scotland. The known distribution and potential spread of this moth, and incorporation of natural control measures through an integrated land management approach will also be explored
The project is jointly funded by Inverness College UHI and Forest Research.
Informal enquiries about this PhD may be made to Dr Melanie Smith: melanie.smith.ic@uhi.ac.uk
For further details and information about this studentship and how to apply go to http://www.inverness.uhi.ac.uk/research
Closing date for applications for both studentships: 25th August 2014
Please note that a further studentship opportunity in Forestry will be advertised in Autumn 2014.
Source: BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management.
"Rural forest-based communities are especially vulnerable to changes in natural disturbance regimes influenced by climate change because their economic, social, and cultural aspects of life are closely linked to the local environment and climate."
"In this article, we discuss the impacts of wildfires on communities as an example of how natural disturbances impact humans. The impacts to humans of wildfire is indicative of the type of effects that other natural disturbances such as widespread insect infestation, landslides, floods, drought, storms, avalanches, permafrost melt, forest diseases, erosion, and gradual ecosystem change can have on communities. First Nations communities may be significantly and uniquely impacted by natural disturbances and climate change due to their remote location, strong connection, and heavy reliance on the environment for subsistence and in preserving their culture and their unique and often vulnerable economic situation."
Krishnaswamy, A., Simmons, E., & Joseph, L. 2012. Increasing the resilience of British Columbia’s rural communities to natural disturbances and climate change. BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management 13(1):1–15.
WWW: www.jem.forrex.org
Source: Italian National Rural Network.
In the last few decades, the role of forest has become more and more important in a perspective of socio-economical development of rural and mountain areas and within the environmental protection strategies.
The power points, the texts and the related materials that were presented at the congress Present and future role of forest resources in the socio-economic development of rural areas, Rome, 23rd-24th June 2011, can be found at: RomaForest2011 Congress Proceedings
WWW: www.reterurale.it/romaforest2011
Source: Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences.
"This paper offers a tribute to William Freudenburg’s legacy of work on the well-being of resource-dependent communities. In it, we review Bill’s work on the well-being of resource-dependent communities, and social impact assessment more generally."
"Key elements of this program of work, especially his emphasis on subjective indicators of well-being and his emphasis on the need for “mid-range” theory informed research conducted by the Canadian Forest Service that addressed the relationship between forest dependence and well-being. Especially crucial in this vein were analyses that explored variation in outcomes over time, space, and definitions of well-being and dependence. Finally, we demonstrate that these analyses served as a foundation for our emerging work in the area of community diversity and resource dependence."
Richard C. Stedman, Mike N. Patriquin and John R. Parkins (2011). Dependence, diversity, and the well-being of rural community: building on the Freudenburg legacy. Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences.
WWW: www.springerlink.com
Le texte en français suit l’anglais.
Source: Statistics Canada / Statistique Canada.
Employment in natural resource sectors (including closely-related sectors in the value chain of each natural resource sector) represented 13% of Canada’s total employment in 200, down from 14% in 1991.
Employment in natural resource sectors and their related value chains represented a relatively higher share of total employment in predominantly rural regions (22%) in 2001, compared to predominantly urban regions (8%).
However, the share of workers in predominantly rural regions employed in each of the natural resource sectors (agriculture, fishery, forestry, mining and energy) declined from 1991 to 2001.
Alessandro Alasia and David James Hardie (2011). Employment shifts in natural resource sectors: A focus on rural value chains. Rural and Small Town Canada Analysis Bulletin. 21-006-X. Vol. 8, No. 7. Statistics Canada.
WWW: www.statcan.gc.ca
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L’emploi dans les secteurs des ressources naturelles (y compris les secteurs étroitement reliés dans la chaîne de valeur de chaque secteur des ressources naturelles) représentait 13 % de l’emploi total au Canada en 2001, en baisse par rapport au taux de 14 % enregistré en 1991.
L’emploi dans les secteurs des ressources naturelles et leurs chaînes de valeur connexes représentait une proportion relativement plus élevée de l’emploi total dans les régions essentiellement rurales (22 %) en 2001, comparativement aux régions essentiellement urbaines (8 %).
Cependant, la proportion de travailleurs dans les régions essentiellement rurales travaillant dans chacun des secteurs des ressources naturelles (agriculture, pêche, foresterie, mines et énergie) a diminué de 1991 à 2001.
Alessandro Alasia et David James Hardie (2011). Évolution de l'emploi dans les secteurs des ressources naturelles : accent sur les chaînes de valeur rurales. Bulletin d'analyse -Régions rurales et petites villes du Canada. 21-006-X. Vol. 8, No 7. Statistique Canada.
WWW: www.statcan.gc.ca
Source: Forestry.
"The well-being of people living in forest-dependent communities has been studied extensively, but little research has explored how this relationship has changed over time."
"Some theories suggest that regional differences in well-being should decrease, through the flow of capital and labour, while other work suggests that these inequalities will grow. Our research uses Census of Canada data at the census subdivision level at 5-year intervals between 1986 and 2001 to describe regional differentiation in the relationship between employment in forest sectors (logging, services, pulp and lumber) and unemployment and median family income as indicators of well-being. We found general declines, which varied somewhat by region, over time in forest dependence across the regions and changing composition of the forest industry across these sectors. The relationship between forest dependence and well-being over time varied by region, largely tied to intra-industry sector shifts."
Full article. Richard C. Stedman, Mike N. Patriquin, and John R. Parkins. Forest dependence and community well-being in rural Canada: a longitudinal analysis Forestry (2011) first published online July 5, 2011 doi:10.1093/forestry/cpr024.
WWW: http://forestry.oxfordjournals.org/
Source: The Monieson Centre
On April 12, 2011, The Monieson Centre will host the third annual KIS Showcase. This day of learning and discussion will celebrate the many successes of this research partnership between The Monieson Centre and the communities of rural Eastern Ontario.
Included in the program will be examples of rural business best practices, discussion of the future of rural entrepreneurialism, and lessons learned in building university-community partnerships. Following the event, presentations and videos from the day's proceedings will be made available over the course of the summer.
This is a must-attend event for business people, community leaders, economic developers, and researchers with an interest in rural economic development.
Click here for free on-line registration.
View the Agenda
Conference / Venue Information:
April 12, 2011
9:00am-4:30pm
BMO Financial Group Atrium, Goodes Hall, Queen's University
Source: Department of Rural Economy, University of Alberta.
The forest economy is in transition across Canada. Faced with high dollar values, increasing competition within the global market, high input costs for energy, labour and fibre, and growing expectations for environmental performance, the forest sector is undergoing significant economic transitions as companies across the country cut costs, close mills and shed jobs.
This report contributes to our understanding of community response to mill closure with a detailed description of six case study communities during a period of forest industry mill closures. Three communities are in British Columbia (Mackenzie, Quesnel and Fort St. James) and three communities are in New Brunswick (Dalhousie, Nackawic and Mirimachi). Empirical information is derived from national and local media reports as well as recent data from the Census of Canada. Key thematic areas include resilience, economic diversification, the nature of mill closure, union involvement, government involvement and concerns over government policy changes such as appurtenancy.
Community Response to Forestry Transition in Rural Canada: Analysis of Media and Census Data for Six Case Study Communities in New Brunswick and British Columbia.
Authors: Mark Smith and John R. Parkins
WWW: www.ales.ualberta.ca/re/
Source: Rural and Small Town Programme, Mount Allison University.
This report summarizes a study by the Rural and Small Town Programme (RSTP) to develop the tools required by forestry‐dependent communities to help them transition from a one industry town.
The methodology for this project involved several phases in the two case study communities. Following the project start‐up and the SWOT analysis, coaching and facilitation was provided to the communities as they worked through their priorities.
Download report.
WWW: www.mta.ca/rstp/
Source: The Monieson Centre, Queen's School of Business.
Eastern Ontario’s agriculture and forestry sectors are showing an increased interest in creating value-added products from local natural resources.
At the most basic level, added value can come from either transforming a product in some way, or providing an additional service which complements the product itself. While specific solutions vary from resource to resource and are dependent on funding options, this paper offers real-world examples to generate ideas for future consideration.
Report
WWW: http://www.easternontarioknowledge.ca/
Le texte en français suit l’anglais.
Source: Natural Resources Canada/ Ressources naturelles Canada.
"The State of Canada's Forests 2009 highlights how the forest sector is transforming itself and meeting challenges by introducing new ideas and new products, while at the same time maintaining healthy, productive forests."
"Canada’s forests and forest sector experienced unprecedented pressures on many fronts in 2008, brought on by cyclical and structural economic changes as well as environmental challenges. These pressures took their toll on the sector, with forest-dependent communities across the country bearing the brunt."
Report.
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"L’État des forêts au Canada 2009 fait ressortir la façon dont le secteur des forêts est en voie de se transformer et de relever les défis grâce à l’introduction de nouvelles idées et de nouveaux produits, tout en veillant à la santé et à la productivité des forêts."
"Les forêts et le secteur forestier du Canada ont fait l’objet de pressions sans précédent à de nombreux égards en 2008, en raison de changements économiques structuraux et cycliques ainsi que de défis environnementaux. Ces pressions ont eu des répercussions importantes sur le secteur et plus particulièrement sur les collectivités tributaires de la forêt dans l’ensemble du pays."
Rapport.
Le texte en français suit l’anglais.
Source: Natural Resources Canada / Ressources naturelles Canada
Forests and forest resources play a central role— culturally, spiritually and economically—in First Nations communities across Canada.
Their importance will continue to grow as more commercial forest land comes under First Nations control and management, as First Nations youth look to participate more fully in forest-based economic opportunities, and as the evolving forest industry increasingly seeks out First Nations co-venture partners and contractors.
This edition of Success Stories presents a snapshot of recent projects that the First Nations Forestry Program (FNFP) has supported to build First Nations’ capacity to participate in—and benefit from—sustainable forest management and forest-based economic opportunities. The stories are representative of the projects that have been
successfully completed over recent years. Projects have involved facilitating access to forest resources and business partnerships, transferring knowledge and tools for sustainable forest management, and providing workers with specialized technical training and work experience.
A PDF version of this publication can be found by accessing the Canadian Forest Service’s Bookstore at: http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/subsite/fnfp
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Programme forestier des Premières nations. Exemples de succès 2009
Les forêts et les ressources forestières jouent un rôle primordial — sur le plan culturel, spirituel et économique — dans les communautés des Premières nations de l’ensemble du Canada. Ce rôle ira croissant, car les Premières nations acquièrent de plus en plus de droits sur des terrains forestiers d’intérêt commercial ou participent à la gestion de ces terrains. En outre, les jeunes des Premières nations cherchent à profiter davantage des possibilités économiques offertes par les forêts et l’industrie forestière, en constante évolution, mise de plus en plus sur les partenariats et les coentreprises.
Cette édition d’Exemples de succès présente un instantané de projets récents que le Programme forestier des Premières nations (PFPN) a soutenus pour bâtir la capacité des Premières nations en matière de gestion durable des forêts et de participation — avec profit — aux possibilités économiques des forêts. Ces exemples sont représentatifs des projets qui ont été menés à bonne fin ces dernières années, qu’il s’agisse de l’accès aux ressources forestières et aux partenariats d’affaires, de transfert de connaissances et d’outils pour la gestion durable des forêts ou de communication aux travailleurs d’une formation technique spécialisée et d’une expérience de travail.
Une version PDF de cette publication est disponible par l’entremise de la librairie du Service canadien des forêts : http://scf.rncan.gc.ca/soussite/pfpn/accueil
