New directions in community and farm reforestation
Increased emphasis on environment, increased faith in private sector forests rather than government‐owned plantations, and improved techniques for tree growing have led to changes in reforestation policies, particularly in timber‐importing countries. Farm and community forestry has become more important, and often involves mixed broadleaved species and selective logging rather than clearfell. Private profitability is often low, but social returns may be considerably greater, warranting government support. While governments have experimented with a variety of instruments to encourage reforestation, policies have not necessarily addressed the main impediments. Measures to increase the share of resource rent gained by tree growers relative to other stakeholders in the timber production pipeline could accelerate plantings.
Rainforest trees as a new crop for Australia
Abstract On analysis has been carried out of the prospects of using lesser known trees as new crops, mainly for high quality cabinetwood production. The economic returns of 43 rainforest trees were assessed using expert opinion and the Delphi method to provide an evaluation and ranking of the most valuable species. Cuban mahogany ( Swietenia mahogeni ), American mahogany ( Swietenia macrophylla ), West Indian cedar ( Cedrela odorata ), teak ( Tectona grandis ), and hoop pine ( Araucaria cunninghamii ) were identified by a simple model as the most valuable tree species. Sensitivity analyses were carried out on the effect of both increased long term timber prices and changes in tree productivity on financial returns. Further research on plantation development and an extensive literature review of the top ten species is also needed. Global warming scenarios indicate that the relative viability of plantations of tropical rainforest species in northern Australia will improve as a result of smaller temperature increases and higher rainfall than in southern Australia. Conditions are now more economically favourable for commercial tree planting than in the past and could lead to the future involvement of financial organizations and the payment of annuities to owners of tree farms. An ultimate aim is the development of markets in tree farms or plantations to those in agricultural enterprizes generally.
Prophets praying for, or preying on people’s faith: A reflection on prophetic ministry in the South African context
In mainline churches, the ministry of prophecy or the prophetic ministry involves the proclamation of the gospel. This, in turn, is related to the every-believer ministry. However, there is now a resurgence of the prophetic ministry as a special office as evidenced by the establishment of neo-prophetic churches. This article argues that neo-prophetic churches are tapping into people’s longing for the fresh divine word to speak directly into their personal situations. The article also probes whether neo-prophets in the prophetic activities are not also preying on people’s faith.