Abstract
Strict forest renewal policies in western Canada focus on replicating the stand type that was cut and projecting the growth of young stands forward using simple models based upon past growing conditions. These policies arose from European principles of sustained yield and now limit options for adaptive management at the time of investment in forest renewal of public lands. We assert that such simple and restrictive policies, combined with long-term yield predictions, give a false sense of sustainability in times of increased drought, fires, and insect and disease attacks that accompany climate change. We must undertake comprehensive changes in forest policy that incorporate disturbance in our forest management planning. This is a large task! Options include (i) zoning public forests to vary intensities of management and minimize risk; (ii) changing stand- and forest-level models to increase the diversity of forests regenerated; (iii) widening the sphere of scientific experts that can influence forest policy and risk management; and (iv) reallocating expenditures on forest renewal, protection, and management to minimize negative impacts of disturbance. Such a comprehensive overhaul of forest management will be necessary as the current assumptions of forest sustainability come under further scrutiny by the public and investors.
Highlights
Canadians have a strong commitment to sustainable forest management and want assurances that their forests will provide environmental, social and economic benefits today and in the future
In 2003, the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM), working closely with members of Canada’s forest community, released a renewed framework consisting of six criteria and 46 indicators
Diagram of the CCFM framework of Criteria and Indicators of Sustainable Forest Management can be found near the end of this booklet
Summary
Forests play an important role in the economic, social and cultural wellbeing of Canadians. About 93 percent of Canada’s forest land is publicly owned. Demand for forest resources is growing, and multiple forest values often conflict. Canadians have a strong commitment to sustainable forest management and want assurances that their forests will provide environmental, social and economic benefits today and in the future. Criteria and indicators provide a sciencebased tool to measure, assess and report on the state of Canada’s forests and forest management. In 2003, the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers (CCFM), working closely with members of Canada’s forest community, released a renewed framework consisting of six criteria and 46 indicators. The renewed indicators are balanced, assessing environmental, economic and social values Canadians associate with their forests
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