Principles Of Sustainable Forest Management Research Articles

Development of the Czech forest related policy and institutions in the threshold of the 3<sup>rd</sup> millennium

This paper gives an overview of Czech forestry policy and legislation since the beginning of changes in the CEEC plus developments and activities of the main forestry institutions. These activities are referred to in the background material given for the political transition period and also related to the Pan-European and global forestry processes. The philosophy of forestry in the Czech Republic is based on the international framework set out by the first Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe and also in conjunction with the preparation of the Czech Republic for accession to the European Union. National and regional forest programmes are aimed at implementing the principles of sustainable forest management and a broad range of stakeholders from the forestry and environment sectors has been involved in its preparation. The current situation and main problems of forestry are given along with basic principles on how to solve such problems and also on how to fulfil obligations to future generations, and international commitments.

One hundred faces of sustainable forest management

Abstract Compared with conventional forest management, sustainable forest management (SFM) is interdisciplinary, heterogeneous, less hierarchical, and more socially accountable. The analytical framework for the economics of SFM is characterized by a pluralistic and integrative nature. An adaptive, contextualized knowledge approach is desirable for operationalizing SFM principles. This approach would employ knowledge as a major vehicle in a two-tiered system in which economic incentives and trade-offs dictate resource allocation and management decisions when substitutable products are involved, but precautionary principles would prevail when the integrity of ecosystems is at stake. Several dilemmas impede the implementation of SFM principles and restrain the use of standard economics tools, but the knowledge will be able to address some of the problems posed by the dilemmas. SFM has ‘one hundred faces’, and the multiple dimensions call for an integrated, adaptive learning approach that promotes connectivity among various pieces on the forest landscape.

The impact of the introduction of sustainable forest management objectives on the optimisation of PC-based forest-level harvest schedules

Previous to the introduction of sustainable forest management principles, PC-based modelling techniques had been developed for the financial optimisation of forest-level harvest scheduling under Irish conditions. These financial models were further developed to produce a Mixed Integer Programming-Sustainable Forest Management (MIP-SFM) model, in which principles of sustainable forest management were incorporated into the harvest scheduling process. The effectiveness and practicality of the harvest schedules produced by the financial model and the MIP-SFM model were compared to the harvest schedules produced by the process currently employed by Coillte (The Irish Forestry Board). Evaluation of the models was carried out in Clonbrock forest (294.8 ha), a typical Irish plantation forest , owned and managed by Coillte. The MIP-SFM model produced effective and practical harvest schedules that enhanced the sustainability of Clonbrock forest by incorporating environmental, ecological and social management parameters. The application of the developed MIP-SFM model resulted in an increase in NPV of 5.7% compared to the NPV produced by the scheduling process currently employed by Coillte. The application of the financial model had resulted in a comparable increase in NPV of 14.2%. The smaller increase in NPV produced by the MIP-SFM model provided an indication of the cost associated with the introduction of environmental, ecological and social SFM principles in the management of Clonbrock forest.

Salvage logging after wildfire in the boreal forest: Is it becoming a hot issue for wildlife?

In recent years, the increase in wood demand, the reduction in the availability of timber resources and the northern expansion of timber harvesting, along with the general perception that wildfires create ecological disasters, have favoured an increase in salvage logging in burned boreal forests. Concurrently, pioneer studies have shown that these post-fire forests may represent important habitats for several wildlife species and that intensive salvage logging, by removing standing snags, has several impacts on wildlife. However, the effects of salvage logging on biodiversity have yet to be considered in post-fire management plans. We examine the issue of salvage logging for wildlife in the boreal forest, with particular reference to Québec as an example. We describe our current state of knowledge on the use of burned forests by some wildlife and on the impacts of salvage logging on these habitats. We conclude that snag retention at multiple spatial and temporal scales in recent burns, which will be salvage-logged, is a prescription that must be implemented to meet the principles of sustainable forest management and the maintenance of biodiversity in the boreal forest. Key words: boreal forest, post-fire forests, salvage logging, snags, wildlife, birds, cavity-nesting birds, woodpeckers, mammals, invertebrates, xylophagous insects, biodiversity

Canada's Model Forest Program

Society has grappled with the concept of managing forests sustainably for several decades. As one of the most widespread of the earth's ecosystems, and as a renewable resource providing a wide range of consumptive and non-consumptive benefits to society, forests have been at the centre of many policy discussions. While much progress was made at the Earth Summit in 1992 and since that time, there are few concrete examples illustrating the principles of sustainable forest management (SFM). Public participation in forest management is based on the hypothesis that if those whose daily lives are affected by the operation of a forest management system are involved in the decisions controlling the system, efforts can be made to protect the health of ecosystems and meet economic needs at the same time. At the same time, since ecological, social and economic conditions vary from place to place, there must be a wide range of participatory approaches to sustainable forest management. Canada's Model Forest Program was developed to provide public participation in decisions about how managing the forests supported by the most up-to-date science and technology. Within each model forest there exists a partnership consisting of a broad range of interests working within a neutral forum that is respectful of individual interests and united in the difficult task of addressing sustainable forest management. The strength of the Program lies in the fact that each partner has a voice in the overall decision-making within the model forest. Access to shared information and the learning process fostered through participation at individual and organizational levels are important factors motivating participation and fostering capacity-building. Model forests are showing that the inclusive partnership approach, although time-consuming, leads to better and more sustainable decisions. Key words: sustainable forest management, model forest, integrated resource management, public participation, partnerships, Canada.

Forest management planning in Newfoundland and Labrador: The Western Newfoundland Model Forest contribution

The management of forests has dramatically changed in the past few decades. Forest managers no longer can prepare and implement forest management plans in isolation of other resource values and local citizens. Today, the economic, ecological and social values are blended together into sustainable forest management. Finding a balance among these values in Newfoundland and Labrador is done through local district planning teams. The team participants need to understand the principles of sustainable forest management and the overall planning process. A primary focus of the Western Newfoundland Model Forest has been to support planning teams through the development of management tools to enhance management of the Province’s forest ecosystems. The Model forest program will continue to test, document and transfer new and innovative management options to forest managers. Key words: adaptive management, consensus, sustainable forest management, planning teams, public involvement, model forests

Canada's Model Forest Program

Society has grappled with the concept of managing forests sustainably for several decades. As one of the most widespread of the earth’s ecosystems, and as a renewable resource providing a wide range of consumptive and non-consumptive benefits to society, forests have been at the centre of many policy discussions. While much progress was made at the Earth Summit in 1992 and since that time, there are few concrete examples illustrating the principles of sustainable forest management (SFM). Public participation in forest management is based on the hypothesis that if those whose daily lives are affected by the operation of a forest management system are involved in the decisions controlling the system, efforts can be made to protect the health of ecosystems and meet economic needs at the same time. At the same time, since ecological, social and economic conditions vary from place to place, there must be a wide range of participatory approaches to sustainable forest management. Canada’s Model Forest Program was developed to provide public participation in decisions about how managing the forests supported by the most up-to-date science and technology. Within each model forest there exists a partnership consisting of a broad range of interests working within a neutral forum that is respectful of individual interests and united in the difficult task of addressing sustainable forest management. The strength of the Program lies in the fact that each partner has a voice in the overall decision-making within the model forest. Access to shared information and the learning process fostered through participation at individual and organizational levels are important factors motivating participation and fostering capacity-building. Model forests are showing that the inclusive partnership approach, although time-consuming, leads to better and more sustainable decisions. Key words: sustainable forest management, model forest, integrated resource management, public participation, partnerships, Canada

Sustainable forest management in China; the basic principles and practices

ABSTRACT Sustainable forest management is described, in theory and in practice, especially in the regions where the forest resources have been damaged seriously for economic development. It emphasizes the need to exert the multifunctions of forest ecosystems. The paper analyses the main benefits and constraints of sustainable forest management with regard to the special natural and economic conditions of China. According to the basic principles of sustainable forest management, China has been taking the relevant actions. Six national programmes and participatory forest management for forest resources utilisation and conservation are operative as regional implementation strategies. Demonstrations, with 13 sample sites in different typical regions, and 8 Criteria and 80 Indicators based on the Montreal Process for monitoring and assessment of sustainable forest management at the national level, have been established and tested. Biological diversity conservation, plantation management for timber production, natural forest protection, non-wood products and technical training will become the priorities for sustainable forest management in China.

The Forest Service Biodiversity Plan

Chief Forestry Inspector, Forest Service, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland. As Ireland's forest authority, the Forest Service has a clear strategy for conserving and enhancing biodiversity in forests. The role of the Forest Service is to ensure that forestry practice in Ireland conforms to the principles of sustainable forest management (SFM), whereby forestry develops in a way that maximises its contribution to national economic and social well-being on a sustainable basis and is compatible with the protection of the environment. The implementation of SFM in Ireland is set out in Growingfor thefuture: a strategic planfor the development of theforestry sector in Ireland (Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry 1996) and is guided by various instruments, including the Irish national forest standard (Forest Service 2000a), the Code of best forest practice-Ireland (Forest Service 2000b), a suite of five environmental guidelines (Forest Service 2000c), forest legislation and the work of the Forestry Inspectorate. The conservation and enhancement of biodiversity represents a core component of SFM, as reflected in its inclusion as one of the six pan-European criteria for SFM arising from the Ministerial Conferences on the Protection of Forests in Europe and adopted by Ireland in 1998. As such, biodiversity permeates every aspect of the Forest Service's implementation of SFM in Ireland. In addition, the Forest Service biodiversity strategy is included in the National Biodiversity Plan, prepared by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands as part of Ireland's commitment under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Biodiversity forms a core consideration in any decision by the Forest Service to grant-aid forest development. Areas protected or listed for protection under EU Council Directives 79/409/EEC (Birds Directive: Council of the European Communities 1979) and 92/43/EEC (Habitats Directive: Council of the European Communities 1992) (i.e. special protection areas and special areas of conservation) are not considered for afforestation grants. Natural heritage areas (NHAs) may also be excluded if the proposed development is incompatible with their protection (Forest Service 2000d). The Forest Service consults with a wide range of authorities regarding the merits or otherwise of particular developments, and their views are taken into full consideration when deciding on grant approval. These authorities include Duchas The Heritage Service and regipnal fisheries boards, all of which are directly concerned with protecting and enhancing habitats arid natural ecosystems. All grant-aided forest development in Ireland must also conform to the Forest Service Forest biodiversity guidelines (see Forest Service 2000c), which set out measures to protect existing habitats and wildlife and to maximise the biodiversity value of forests. These measures include the protection of small-scale habitats, the encouragement of a more varied age class and canopy structure, the careful timing of operations to minimise wildlife disturbance and the retention of ancient trees and deadwood. In line with measures to increase species diversity in Irish forests set out in Growing for the future and to increase broadleaves to 30% of the national forest estate, all new planting must contain a minimum of 10% broadleaves, site permitting (Forest Service 2000e). Similarly, if they constitute all or part of a plantation, conifers must contain a minimum of 20% diverse conifers (i.e. species other than Sitka spruce and lodgepole pine). The Forestry Inspectorate is responsible for ensuring that all conditions relating to biodiversity are complied with in grant-aided forests, and it plays a pivotal role in the policing, monitoring and promotion of these important requirements. This work has been facilitated by the recent initiation by the Inspectorate of an environment audit strategy. The Forest Service is also concerned with Ireland's forest genetic biodiversity, and it implements relevant EU Council Directives on forest reproductive material (Forest Service 2000b). A clear example of this work is the removal of young plantations of inappropriately planted Fraxinus oxyphylla to prevent possible hybridisation with native F. excelsior. The protection of the forest estate against the introduction of dangerous forest pests and diseases is also the responsibility of the Forest Service and is implemented and enforced by the Forestry Inspectorate under the provisions of EU Council Directive 2000/29/EC (Plant Health Directive) (Forest Service 2000b).

The Forest Service Biodiversity Plan

SHORT COMMUNICATION THE FOREST SERVICE BIODIVERSITY PLAN Diarmuid McAree Diarmuid McAree (e-mail: diarmuid. mcaree@dcmnr.gov.ie), ChiefForestry Inspector, ForestService, Leeson Lane,Dublin2, Republic of Ireland. As Ireland's forest authority, the Forest Service has a clear strategy for conserving and enhancing biodiversity in forests. The role of the Forest Service is to ensure that forestry practice in Ireland conforms to the principles of sustainable forest management (SFM), whereby forestry develops in a way that maximises its contribution to national economic and social well-being on a sustainable basis and is compatible with the protection of the environment. The implementation of SFM in Ireland is set out in Growingfor thefuture: a strategic planfor the development of theforestry sector in Ireland (Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry 1996) and is guided by various instruments, including the Irish national forest standard (Forest Service 2000a), the Code of best forest practice-Ireland (Forest Service 2000b), a suite of five environmental guidelines (Forest Service 2000c), forest legislation and the work of the Forestry Inspectorate. The conservation and enhancement of biodiversity represents a core component of SFM, as reflected in its inclusion as one of the six pan-European criteria for SFM arising from the Ministerial Conferences on the Protection of Forests in Europe and adopted by Ireland in 1998. As such, biodiversity permeates every aspect of the Forest Service's implementation of SFM in Ireland. In addition, the Forest Service biodiversity strategy is included in the National Biodiversity Plan, prepared by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands as part of Ireland's commitment under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. Biodiversity forms a core consideration in any decision by the Forest Service to grant-aid forest development. Areas protected or listed for protection under EU Council Directives 79/409/EEC (Birds Directive: Council of the European Communities 1979) and 92/43/EEC (Habitats Directive: Council of the European Communities 1992) (i.e. special protection areas and special areas of conservation) are not considered for afforestation grants. Natural heritage areas (NHAs) may also be excluded if the proposed development is incompatible with their protection (Forest Service 2000d). The Forest Service consults with a wide range of authorities regarding the merits or otherwise of particular developments, and their views are taken into full consideration when deciding on grant approval. These authorities include Duchas The Heritage Service and regipnal fisheries boards, all of which are directly concerned with protecting and enhancing habitats arid natural ecosystems. All grant-aided forest development in Ireland must also conform to the Forest Service Forest biodiversity guidelines (see Forest Service 2000c), which set out measures to protect existing habitats and wildlife and tomaximise the biodiversity value of forests. These measures include the protection of small-scale habitats, the encouragement of a more varied age class and canopy structure, the careful timing of operations to minimise wildlife disturbance and the retention of ancient trees and deadwood. In line with measures to increase species diversity in Irish forests set out in Growing for thefuture and to increase broadleaves to 30% of the national forest estate, all new planting must contain a minimum of 10% broadleaves, site permitting (Forest Service 2000e). Similarly, if they constitute all or part of a plantation, conifers must contain a minimum of 20% diverse conifers (i.e. species other than Sitka spruce and lodgepole pine). The Forestry Inspectorate is responsible for ensuring that all conditions relating to biodiversity are complied with in grant-aided forests, and it plays a pivotal role in the policing, monitoring and promotion of these important requirements. This work has been facilitated by the recent initiation by the Inspectorate of an environment audit strategy. The Forest Service is also concerned with Ireland's forest genetic biodiversity, and it implements relevant EU Council Directives on forest reproductive material (Forest Service 2000b). A clear example of this work is the removal of young plantations of inappropriately planted Fraxinus oxyphylla to prevent possible hybridisation with native F. excelsior.The protection of the forest estate against the introduction of dangerous forest pests and diseases is also the responsibility of the Forest Service and is implemented and enforced by the Forestry Inspectorate under the provisions of EU...

Enhancing sustainable forest management in Indonesia

This paper gives an overview of the problems of forest management and proposed strategy to enhance sustainable forest management in Indonesia. The increase of the population number leads to need of land to support their activities, particularly for agriculture, pasture, settlement, etc. Since forest is the major land-use in Indonesia, deforestation is inevitable. Deforestation rate in Indonesia increased, from 0.3 percent in 1970s to 0.6 percent of total land in 1980's, causing socio-economic and ecological consequences. Based on the awareness of the multiple forest functions concerning the ecological, social and economical aspects, declined forest land area might lead to local and global catastrophes. Hence forest resources should be stabilized or even the area should be increased through declining deforestation, increasing reforestation areas on degraded land, etc. In addition the forest should be maintained based on the principles of sustainable forest management. Efforts in sustaining forest existence and forest management in Indonesia have been started since long time, but the success of these efforts is still to be increased by enhancing sustainable forest management.