ABSTRACT Indigenous communities in northern Australia own and manage around 46 million ha of forest. Some of these forests currently support a small and socioeconomically important Indigenous commercial forestry and forest products industry. There is much unrealised potential for the further development of this culturally appropriate industry for remote northern Australian Indigenous communities. This study presents new and existing data on forests and forestry in regions across northern Australia and uses a literature review and stakeholder consultations to explore the growth potential of Indigenous commercial forestry in these regions. Relevant literature was mapped to identify trends, biases and gaps; three regional forums were held; and case studies were prepared for three Indigenous commercial forestry enterprises—one in western Cape York Peninsula in Queensland and one each in east Arnhem Land and the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory. These three regions have substantial Indigenous commercial forestry growth potential. The case studies and subsequent discussions point to key opportunities, challenges and needs for the further development of the Indigenous commercial forestry industry in northern Australia. The discussion centres around four emergent themes—commercial native forests, plantation forestry, mine rehabilitation and capacity building. Policy, investment and other priority research and development needs are outlined. These include native forest inventory, silvicultural trials and long-term monitoring; new plantation forestry trials; pre-mining forest salvage harvesting and integrated product utilisation; the processing of local timbers in community sawmills for local applications; multiple-use community forestry in mine rehabilitation; locally designed, field-based ‘forest ranger’ training programs; technical and tertiary professional forestry education pathways; and business development support, including mentoring. The findings can inform decision-making by regional development researchers, policymakers and investors to support local Indigenous commercial forestry initiatives for community, environmental and livelihood benefits in northern Australia and elsewhere.

中文翻译：

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在澳大利亚北部发展本土商业林业

摘要澳大利亚北部的土著社区拥有并管理着大约 4600 万公顷的森林。其中一些森林目前支持小型且具有社会经济重要性的土著商业林业和林产品工业。对于偏远的澳大利亚北部土著社区，进一步发展这种文化适宜的产业还有很多未实现的潜力。本研究提供了澳大利亚北部地区森林和林业的新数据和现有数据，并使用文献综述和利益相关者协商来探索这些地区土著商业林业的增长潜力。绘制了相关文献以确定趋势、偏见和差距；举办了三个区域论坛；为三个土著商业林业企业准备了案例研究——一个在昆士兰州约克角半岛西部，一个在阿纳姆地东部和北领地提维群岛各一个。这三个地区具有巨大的本土商品林业增长潜力。案例研究和随后的讨论指出了澳大利亚北部土著商业林业进一步发展的关键机遇、挑战和需求。讨论围绕四个新兴主题展开——商业原生林、人工林、矿山修复和能力建设。概述了政策、投资和其他优先研发需求。这些包括原生森林清查、造林试验和长期监测；新的人工林试验；采矿前森林打捞和综合产品利用；在社区锯木厂加工当地木材以供当地使用；矿山修复中的多用途社区林业；本地设计的、以实地为基础的“护林员”培训计划；技术和高等教育专业林业教育途径；和业务发展支持，包括指导。研究结果可为区域发展研究人员、政策制定者和投资者的决策提供信息，以支持澳大利亚北部和其他地方为社区、环境和生计带来好处的当地土著商业林业举措。实地“护林员”培训计划；技术和高等教育专业林业教育途径；和业务发展支持，包括指导。研究结果可为区域发展研究人员、政策制定者和投资者的决策提供信息，以支持澳大利亚北部和其他地方为社区、环境和生计带来好处的当地土著商业林业举措。实地“护林员”培训计划；技术和高等教育专业林业教育途径；和业务发展支持，包括指导。研究结果可为区域发展研究人员、政策制定者和投资者的决策提供信息，以支持澳大利亚北部和其他地方为社区、环境和生计带来好处的当地土著商业林业举措。