Forest management design for contemporary forestry

Abstract

Relative to the complexities of managing for values of biological diversity and ecosystem integrity, this two value problem may seem relatively simple. However, the principles of the management framework which it illustrates have direct application in any management context where values of interest relate to the forest condition, that is, to stand composition, stand structure, and forest pattern. Unarguably, biodiversity, ecological integrity, landscape pattern, wildlife habitats, and most other forest values relate to these aspects of the forest condition, and consequently, the described management framework can be used to advantage to incorporate these values in forest management. Effective use of the framework requires that: forest values be appropriately characterized in terms of stand composition, stand structure, and forest pattern; treatment response to management activities be characterized in the same terms; forest inventories be built which provide those characteristics at acceptable accuracy; forest managers maintain a broad array of operationally practical treatment alternatives to maintain flexibility in controlling forest impacts; shortcomings in characterizing values, information, understanding, and treatment practises be detected and reduced as a regular part of the management process. There can be no guarantee that the 'better' forest will result from the actions implemented as result of using this framework, nor can there be any guarantee that the resulting forest will provide the expected set of forest values over time. Uncertainties inherent in forecasting development of a biological system preclude the former, and inadequacies in our understanding of complex concepts such as biodiversity and ecosystem integrity and other values preclude the latter. Further, there can be no guarantee that society (the owner of public lands) will agree on what constitutes that 'better' forest, because its definition derives from the mix of values the forest is expected to provide - and the desired mix will almost certainly vary between parties. Further still, there can be no guarantee that values provided by that 'better' forest will suit the value set of the day. Better information about forests, improved understanding of forest ecosystem dynamics, and shifts in social preferences are likely to change forest values in the future, just as they have changed them in the past. Uncertainties, unknowns, diversity of interests, and changing values notwithstanding, the management framework described provides a clear, unambiguous, and meaningful context in which to explore management options and anticipate their potential effects on a variety of forest values. As such, it provides a means by which to help bring about the change in forest management that is being called for in this country.