Principles:
- Ecosystem-based approach: Ecological forestry seeks to maintain or enhance the ecological integrity and functions of forest ecosystems.
- Conservation of biological diversity: Ecological forestry aims to conserve biodiversity and maintain the natural distribution of species and ecological processes within the forest.
- Sustainable production of forest products: Ecological forestry seeks to produce forest products in a sustainable and socially responsible manner.
- Protection of soil and water resources: Ecological forestry aims to protect soil and water resources, including maintaining water quality and minimizing soil erosion.
- Ecological forestry seeks to engage with local communities, Indigenous peoples and other forest users.
Criteria:
- Maintenance of forest structure and composition: Ecological forestry aims to maintain or enhance the structure and composition of the forest, including the age-class distribution, species composition, and forest structure.
- Maintenance of ecosystem processes: Ecological forestry seeks to maintain ecological processes, such as nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and hydrological processes.
- Protection of high conservation values: Ecological forestry aims to identify and protect high conservation value areas, such as old-growth forests, rare species habitats, and cultural sites.
- Protection of soil and water resources: Ecological forestry seeks to minimize soil erosion, protect water quality, and maintain hydrological processes.
- Social and economic benefits: Ecological forestry aims to provide economic and social benefits to local communities, while ensuring the sustainability of forest resources.
Our principles and criteria of ecological forestry reflect a commitment to managing forests in a way that is ecologically sustainable, socially responsible, and economically viable.