Sustainable forest management
Sustainable Forest Management
Sustainable Forest Management (pronunciation: /səˈsteɪnəbəl ˈfɔːrɪst ˌmænɪdʒmənt/) is a method of managing forests to meet the social, economic, ecological, cultural, and spiritual needs of present and future generations. The etymology of the term "sustainable" comes from the Latin sustinere (to hold up), and "forest management" is a compound word formed from "forest" (a large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth) and "management" (the process of dealing with or controlling things or people).
Overview
Sustainable Forest Management involves the application of management practices for the stewardship and use of forests and other wooded land to meet specific environmental, economic, social and cultural objectives. It involves considering the long-term effects of actions on the forest ecosystem, maintaining the biodiversity and resilience of ecosystems, and the potential for forests to adapt to changing conditions, including climate change.
Principles
The principles of Sustainable Forest Management include maintaining the health and vitality of the forest, maintaining the productive capacity of the forest ecosystem, maintaining the ecosystem's health and vitality, maintaining the biodiversity of the forest, and maintaining the potential to fulfill relevant ecological, economic and social functions at local, national and global levels.
Related Terms
- Forest Stewardship Council: An international non-profit organization that sets standards for responsible forest management.
- Deforestation: The removal of a forest or stand of trees from land which is then converted to non-forest use.
- Afforestation: The process of establishing a forest, or stand of trees, in an area where there was no forest.
- Reforestation: The natural or intentional restocking of existing forests and woodlands that have been depleted.
See Also
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