Landowners' organisation and forestry development in Portugal : a definition on an action strategy for the Pinhal Sul region based upon the local actors' view

Tese submetida à Universidade de Reading para obtenção do Grau de Doctor of PhilosophyPortuguese forestry plays an important role in the economy of the country. Woodlands are mainly owned by non-industrial private landowners (NPFLs). Properties are very small and scattered. These structural characteristics, the social changes that have taken place in rural areas and the recurring forest fires make its future development (in terms of economic, social and ecological values) dependent on the implementation of new forms of forestry management. The history of farmers’ organisations in Portugal is not a very successful one, particularly in relation to forestry, which has been managed under individual systems. Hence farmers mentality towards forestry, their individual interests as well as their attitudes towards organisations can be seen as major impediments to the implementation of collective management strategy. The study examines the main features of the NPFLs involvement in forestry, and it concludes that they have held a specific forestry culture grounded in both affective and economic values. Their attitude towards organisations is also analysed and it seems favourable towards the implementation of an organisational process in the region. The study suggests some shifts to the organisational model in order to match both interests and the opinions of farmers and local agents. On the assumption that the implementation of new models and strategies for collective action in forestry must be based on specific features and interests of the target population, we have studied these issues in a particular region of Portugal, in order to test the acceptability of an organisational model and to put in place some of the strategic actions necessary in order to at later date implement a forestry organisational process. The thesis concludes by presenting a strategy for implementation of an organisational process in the region based upon knowledge acquired in the field study about landowner’s attitude and behaviour in relation to forestry, their attitudes towards organisations, and the acceptability of the organisational model. Other significant local actors, the forest service and the municipal Presidents, have also been included in the analysis