Part 1 – A Rapid Participatory Biodiversity Assessment - IUCN

5. Conversion of a low biodiversity area to plantation land may result in intensified use of
high biodiversity areas by communities.
Because landscape components are linked through local livelihoods, changes in one land use type
may have implications for other land use types. When access to local resources (including land and
products in the fallow cycle) is limited, it is likely that communities will need to rely on resources in
other areas. Conversion of large areas of fallow land may mean that local people are forced to
expand or intensify their use of other more biologically rich areas. While absolute loss of diversity in
areas converted to plantation may be relatively low, there may be a corresponding increase in
pressure on other areas of higher biodiversity.
6. Changes in the study site may have larger implications for biodiversity and regional
ecosystems.
Large-scale development interventions may have impacts beyond local ecosystems. The plantation
area being considered is located in an area of critical importance in the ecosystems of mainland
Southeast Asia. The site is a part of the Central Annamites range and the lower Mekong Basin, and is
directly adjacent to three Lao National Protected Areas. The areas of intact forest in the study site,
together with the aquatic ecosystems that run through it, provide valuable nodes in the natural
network that supports the ecological integrity of the regional environment (see figure ES 1).
Recommendations
5.1 Recommendations to strengthen the plantation process
It is recommended that Burapha/Stora Enso:
Process R5.1.1: Better engage provincial and district government officials to inform them about the
details of the project and gain their support in linking the project to local development goals.
Process R5.1.2: Review its initial village engagement process to ensure that villagers understand
that land has not been predetermined and that the purpose of the meeting is to see if the villagers are
interested in the project
Process R5.1.3: Continue to conduct independent, socio-economic baseline surveying to ensure that
the variety of issues arising from a potential plantation are presented and options for mitigation and
management outlined.
Process R5.1.4: Expand collaborative land use mapping exercises to eventually cover all districts.
Strengthen these exercises with simultaneous socio-economic and biodiversity studies.
Process R5.1.5: Strengthen biodiversity considerations in the plantation preparation phase by
adopting recognised guidelines, such as Forest Stewardship Council guidelines, for the conservation
of biodiversity in plantation projects
Process R5.1.6: Review the timing of the plantation preparation phase to ensure that the plantation
and intercropping schedule provides optimal benefit for the plantation as well as for livelihood crops.
Process R5.1.7: Initiate biodiversity monitoring programmes to monitor the progress of the
integration of Stora Enso’s proposed environmental safeguards into the plantation operation and
evaluate benefits to local communities, and resolve issues/conflicts. Ensure that monitoring results
feed back into management and other decision-making processes.
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