Forest Quality

This is the first ever guide to 'forest quality' assessment, addressing the 'authenticity' of forests and criteria for determining the environmental, economic and social value of different types of forest. It is a practical hands-on manual for professionals involved in forestry, conservation and resource management worldwide. Case study material from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America shows the practical uses of the new 'landscape' approach to forest conservation. Deforestation is frequently a topic of discussion in the environmental arena, but it is not just the number of trees that matters; the quality of the forest is also important. Even where the forest area is stable or increasing, there are often rapid changes in its character. Natural forests are being replaced by plantations or by intensively managed forests. Around the world, forests are becoming younger and less diverse, in both species and structure; this has important impacts for biodiversity, and also affects many human values. In this groundbreaking text, forest quality is discussed as a useful new concept in forest conservation and management. benefits; and social and economic benefits. A methodology and protocol for collecting and analysing data is described, and the approach needed with each indicator is outlined in detail. A landscape approach to assessment is advocated, as meeting conservation goals also means addressing human needs, and balancing the trade-offs involved is only possible at a landscape scale. Assessment is demonstrated in a series of case studies from Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America, showing how this method can be used in many ways to help forest conservation management.