Terminology
Ecological sustainability
In this report, ecological sustainability is defined as the maintenance of biological diversity and ecosystem integrity at multiple scales of time and space (Scientific Panel, 1995).
Ecosystem integrity
integrity is maintained when an ecosystem is both resistant, i.e., has the capacity to absorb small disturbances and prevent them from amplifying into large disturbances, and resilient, i.e., has the capacity to return to a given level of productivity and species composition following a disturbance
Precautionary principle
This principle states: “When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically. In this context the proponent of an activity, rather than the public, should bear the burden of proof.”
Ecological units
ECOLOGICAL SUB-UNITS
The study area can be divided into three distinct ecological
sub-units: the Hecate Lowland, the Outer Coast Mountains, the Inner Coast
Mountains (Pojar ’99 modofied)
Example differences
Outer Coast Mountains receive higher rainfall and have steeper topography than the Hecate Lowland, making landslides an important contributor to the natural disturbance regime of the Outer Coast Mountains.
This means a higher standard of care is necessary in the Outer Coast Mountains during the planning and building of logging roads to minimize the potential for landslides
(Note the subtle differences in unit boundaries from left figure attributed to Pojar 1999 & right MOF Guide 1993 both modified by LG The Guide appears better resolution of detail & includes CWHwm and easier ‘see’ alpine elevations)
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From Principle 5
Best practices – CAD on central coast
Central Coast Conservation Area Design (CAD) has been conducted for the central coast (Jeo and others, 1999). It used three taxa as focal species: Grizzly Bears, salmon stocks and selected tree species.
As mentioned previously, these taxa play a keystone role in coastal forests. The CAD is based on the assumption that the conservation of habitat for these taxa will “help conserve biodiversity at natural levels of abundance and distribution,” as well as allow “preservation of ecotypes and ecosystem
From Principle 6
Best practices #1: the NW Aquatic Conservation Strategy
In the federal forest lands of western Washington, western Oregon and northwestern California, the protection of hydroriparian areas is legislated by the Aquatic Conservation Strategy of the Northwest Forest Plan4. Under the Aquatic Conservation Strategy, Riparian Reserves form the principal component of a strategy that has as its overarching goal “to maintain and restore the productivity and resiliency of riparian and aquatic ecosystems” (USDA and USDI, 1994). The three other components of the Aquatic Conservation
Best practices #2 Clayoquot Sound Scientific Panel Recommendations for Hydroriparian Management
Compare these with Riparian area management under the Forest Practices Code. Table 1 with no reserves but its “management zones for fish bearing streams under 1.5m widths etc.
From Principle 7
Best practices Variable-Retention
Silvicultural System
The Clayoquot Sound Scientific Panel recommended adopting a Variable-Retention Silvicultural System to replace conventional silvicultural systems. The primary goal of this system is to maintain ecological integrity, i.e., to retain characteristics of natural forests in managed stands so that ecosystem functions do not depart from the range of natural variability present before harvest
From Principle 9
Best practices Effectiveness Monitoring Program
The USDA Forest Service has begun an Effectiveness Monitoring Program (EMP) to assess whether the goals of the Northwest Forest Plan are being met