FOREST MANAGEMENT LAB

Sustainable Forest Management

"The stewardship and use of forests and forest lands in a way, and at a rate, that maintains their biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality and their potential to fulfill, now and in the future, relevant ecological, economic and social functions, at local, national, and global levels, and that does not cause damage to other ecosystems" (MCPFE, 1993).

Forest Management Planning

Rational setting and unambiguous determination of management objectives.

Data collection through field sampling, aerial photography, satellite imagery, maps and other sources.

Data processing (classification, ordering, grading, calculations)

Data analysis and conclusion drawing (statistical analyses, comparisons to standards, combined analyses, decision making processes)

Proposed measures (leading to optimal achievement of management objectives) derived through participatory decision making methods.

Scientific monitoring of ecosystem processes and impact of measures applied.

Management Plan

Result of the planning process. Description of current conditions of the forest ecosystem. Projection of the forest condition to the fututre. Prescription of the proper measures to achieve management objectives. Establishemt of a monitoring system for ecosystem processes and impact of applied measures.