Importance-performance analysis of forest works for sustainable forest management in Korea

This study investigated residents' reaction to attributes of forest management using the Importance-Performance Analysis methodology in an attempt to identify attributes of forest management that should be a top priority to establish effective policy planning for sustainable forest management (SFM). This study was conducted during the 3 months in 2005 involving 328 residents living in Jangsu County and Namwon City, Korea. Residents in Jangsu County considered 'forest tending', 'recreational forest and green tourism', 'preparing forest environment near residential areas', and 'conservation and management of forest ecological system' important, and were satisfied with management practices undertaken for these attributes. Residents in Namwon City citied 'afforestation of forest resources', 'structural establishment of forest management', 'maintenance of trees designated as natural monument' and 'integrated forest management (short term source of income)' in the same category. This study highlighted residents' reactions to forest management practices in Jangsu and Namwon, both of which are well known for lumber production among non-national managed forest areas. This study suggests the possibility of making these mountainous areas as a regional model of effective forest management, because it provided valuable information that can be used for setting priorities and allocating resources for sustainable forest management. It is also important to implement forest policies palatable to characters of each region to achieve sustainable forest management. When implementing forest policy that meet the needs of each region, forest authorities are expected to fulfill the objectives of effective forest management.