REDUCING IMPACTS OF FORESTRY – THE FALLACY OF LOW-INTENSITY MANAGEMENT
Last modified: 2014-09-11
Abstract
New definitions are provided of intensive and extensive forestry in version
3 of the ecoinvent database. These definitions are based on explicit and
easily measured indicators for the most important aspects of forestry
management for biodiversity. Unfortunately, many certified forestry
products come from what would be classified as intensive forestry in the
ecoinvent classification. The real challenge is to develop forest management
systems that have a neutral or positive biodiversity impact relative to that of
plantation forestry. Such truly extensive, biodiversity-managed forestry is
very challenging and not very common today. Ample options exist for
increasing yields in intensive and plantation forests, which can be
recommended as having lower biodiversity impact than similar products
from other management systems, certified or not.
3 of the ecoinvent database. These definitions are based on explicit and
easily measured indicators for the most important aspects of forestry
management for biodiversity. Unfortunately, many certified forestry
products come from what would be classified as intensive forestry in the
ecoinvent classification. The real challenge is to develop forest management
systems that have a neutral or positive biodiversity impact relative to that of
plantation forestry. Such truly extensive, biodiversity-managed forestry is
very challenging and not very common today. Ample options exist for
increasing yields in intensive and plantation forests, which can be
recommended as having lower biodiversity impact than similar products
from other management systems, certified or not.
Keywords
biodiversity; extensive forestry; forest management; plantation forestry; forest certification
References
Brown C. (2000). The global outlook for future wood supply from forest plantations. Global Forest Products Outlook Study. Rome: FAO. Working Paper GFPOS/WP/03.
Weidema B P. (2007). Framework for and review of biodiversity indicators for forest management in the context of product life cycle assessment. Draft report prepared for TetraPak. Hørsholm: 2.-0 LCA consultants.
Weidema B P, Bauer C, Hischier R, Mutel C, Nemecek T, Reinhard J, Vadenbo C O, Wernet G. (2013). Overview and methodology. Data quality guideline for the ecoinvent database version 3. St. Gallen: The ecoinvent Centre. Ecoinvent Report 1(v3).
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