本研究透過文獻回顧、內容分析、參與觀察與質性訪談,分析台灣社區林業的運作機制與初步的結果,探究其計畫本質,並討論其挑戰與機會。台灣自2002年開始執行社區林業計畫,一方面追隨國際趨勢,同時因應1990年代以來國內民主深根的現實,一方面則爲改善與在地社區,特別是原住民族部落的關係。台灣的社區林業計畫採三階段設計的計畫發展,以逐步與在地社區建立資源協同管理的夥伴關係。截至2008年底,林務局補助了超過千件的第一階段社區林業計畫與九件第二階段計畫。結果顯示,自2005年下半年即由各林管處負責的第一階段計畫推行順利,林務局自己掌控的第二階段計畫卻有一半以上停滯或中斷。整體而言,台灣林務單位透過社區林業,主動走入社區,提供經費與技術跟社區互動,提升了林務單位在社區基層的形象,但對森林經營管理與保育的實質貢獻卻十分有限。分析其推行機制與計畫內容,社區林業可說是企圖以在地生態旅遊發展來促進與在地社區連結的政府計畫。以國際社區林業及參與式發展的經驗爲本,本研究發現台灣現行社區林業的幾個問題:缺乏清楚的政策與合適的體制安排,以及在地培力和參與不足。林務單位仍奉爲圭臬的中央集權的森林科學管理典範,可能是社區林業計畫的關鍵挑戰之一。本研究建議台灣的社區林業計畫應釐清在地社區參與的空間,進一步簡化與去中心相關的行政過程,多元化體制排置,並與日常業務做更多的連結。
This study explores the nature of community forestry and provides a discussion of its development in Taiwan that was initiated in 2002 with a view to including a cooperative approach to forest resources management with local communities. By the end of 2008, the Forestry Bureau had sponsored more than 1,000 community forestry projects, which promoted the public image of the Bureau. However, it is argued that their contributions to forest management and conservation works are rather limited, due to the lack of clear policies, proper institutional arrangements, local empowerment and participation. It is also argued that the rigidly centralized forest management approach is the constraint of the program. This study suggests that to effect better cooperative forest resources management, the program has to consider more local community participation, to deregulate and simplify bureaucratic processes, to diversify institutional arrangements, and to be embedded in the Bureau's routine business.