Epsilon Open Archive

Abstract

Previous reports indicating that forest properties owned by women were less extensively managed than those owned by men were partly attributed to women not having been fully socialized into family forestry. It was assumed that this gap would have been reduced by targeted actions undertaken over the last 10–15 years with the aim of increasing women's interest in and knowledge of forestry, and strengthening their self—identification as forest owners. To examine this assumption, the management behaviors of male and female forest owners in 2003–2006 were analyzed and compared to results for 1992–1994. The data were obtained from the Data Base for Forest Owner Analysis and concerned almost 9000 forest management units. Although harvesting and silvicultural activities increased on both male- and female-owned properties over time, the “gap” between male and female owners did not diminish as expected.