science biodiversity and sustainable forestry

SCIENCESCIENCEBIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITY andand

SUSTAINABLE FORESTRYSUSTAINABLE FORESTRY

A Findings Report of the

NATIONAL COMMISSION on SCIENCE for SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY

NCSSFNCSSFJanuary 4, 2005January 4, 2005

NATIONAL COMMISSION on SCIENCE NATIONAL COMMISSION on SCIENCE for SUSTAINABLE FORESTRYfor SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY

A Program Conducted by theNational Council on Science for the Environment “NCSE”

www.ncssf.orgwww.ncssf.org

The CommissionThe CommissionScience CapabilitiesScience Capabilities

Ann Bartuska - USFS Joyce Berry - CSU Norm Christensen** - Duke John Gordon* - Yale Al Lucier- NCASI David Perry - OSU/UHI Ron Pulliam - UGA Hal Salwasser*** - OSU

Stakeholder NeedsStakeholder Needs

Greg Aplet - Wilderness Soc. Jim Brown – ODF/OR GNRO Bruce Cabarle - WWF Nils Christoffersen - WR Sharon Haines - IP Al Sample - Pinchot Inst. Tom Thompson – USFS Scott Wallinger - MWV

* Chair 2000-2001; ** Chair 2002-2003; *** Chair 2003-2005

F

Former members: Chip Collins - TFG, Wally Covington - NAU, Phil Janik - USFS, Mark Schaefer - NatureServe, Mark Schaffer - DoW

NCSSF MissionNCSSF MissionProvide Solutions for Sustainable Provide Solutions for Sustainable

ForestryForestry

““To improve the scientific basis for the To improve the scientific basis for the

development,development, implementationimplementation andand

evaluationevaluation of sustainable forestry of sustainable forestry

practices in the United States.”practices in the United States.”

How NCSSF WorksHow NCSSF Works

Linking Science to PracticeLinking Science to PracticeUser Needs Survey, Projects and WorkshopsUser Needs Survey, Projects and Workshops

Survey of practitioners, managers & policymakers

Eastern and Western interactive workshops

Identify gaps & prioritize user needs

Adapt NCSSF program to address key needs

Synthesize and translate science into usable tools and information – handoff to users

From: Doing Research To: Delivering Results

Synthesis Project Results Provide Useful Information and Identify Gaps

Research Project Results Develop New Knowledge and Applications

Tool Development Projects Pilot Demonstrations

Project Results and Synthesize into Findings NCSSF Deliberations and Implications for Users

NCSSF Program EvolutionNCSSF Program Evolution

NCSSF Projects – 2001-2004NCSSF Projects – 2001-2004 Fundamentals

State-of-science review (R) User needs, product utility (W) Biodiversity in forest planning (S) Biodiversity indicators (A) Ecosystem function indicators (A) Conservation theories and field

validation (B) Relative risk assessment (B) Conservation at multiple scales (A) Forest purposes in context (C)

Historical Influences Native American land uses (B) European settlement land uses (B) 20th century forest management (A) Non-native invasive species (A) Non-wood forest products (A) Management and ownership (B)

Managing for Resilience and Productivity Public values and attitudes (C) Biodiversity and wood-production forestry (C) Fire, forest “health,” biodiversity (S,C) Hydrology, water, biodiversity (A) Managing non-native invasive species (C) Old growth forest diversity (C) Risk management (B) Ecological restoration (A,C) Fragmentation effects (A) Decision support systems (A,C) Conservation incentives for private, non-

industrial forests (C) Monitoring protocols (C) Global wood market effects on forests (C)

First Findings ReportFirst Findings Report

FIRST FINDINGS REPORTFIRST FINDINGS REPORTPurpose: Present Commission findings to date and implications for users – 2-3 years of 5-year program

Audience: Users including: field practitioners, resource managers scientists, and policy makers

Sources: Commissioners’ deliberations, stakeholder input and NCSSF projects

Credibility of a diverse, independent body of

experts & stakeholders:

- Honest broker in identifying consensus findings and

implications

- Unique, interactive process engaging scientists,

managers, and decision makers

- Syntheses of existing information plus new work

commissioned to fill key gaps, build new tools

NCSSF FindingsNCSSF FindingsSignificance and Value for Users and ProducersSignificance and Value for Users and Producers

Jerry Rose – NASF

Joel Holtrop – USFS

Ajit Kirshnaswamy – NNFP

Si Balch – New England FF

Paul Trianosky – S.E. TNC

James Agee – U. Wash.

John Helms – U.C. Berkeley

Draft Report - Peer ReviewDraft Report - Peer Review

Sustainable ForestrySustainable Forestry

The suite of forest policies, plans and practices that seek to

sustain a specified

array of forest

benefits in a

particular place, i.e.,

conditions, values,

functions, uses,

products, &

services.

Sustainable ForestrySustainable Forestry A dynamic process and goal; not a single, fixed

end point Changes with knowledge and societal needs and

values

Benefits vary by forest purpose/ownership

Place varies from small sites to landscapes

and regions

Time horizon is decades to centuries

BiodiversityBiodiversity

BiodiversityBiodiversityThe variety and abundance of all life forms in

a place … and

the processes,

functions and

structures that

sustain variety

and allow it to

adapt to change

Why Biodiversity in Sustainable Why Biodiversity in Sustainable Forestry?Forestry?

Biological foundation for productivity, resilience in all ecosystems

Forests are typically rich in biodiversity – much is not readily observable; we usually only see the large plants and animals

Biodiversity effects forest sustainability and forest management effects biodiversity

SFM systems recognize importance of biodiversity: MP C&I, FSC, SFI, others

Ethical issues regarding role of humans vis a vis non-human life on Earth

NCSSF FindingsNCSSF FindingsMulti-scale context for biodiversity

Stands to landscapes, ecosystem legacies, mgmt. variations, fragments

Disturbance dynamics shape diversity Fire, invasive species, land uses, weather/geologic events,

climate change: future range of variation (FRV) needed

Indicators are essential Biodiversity is intractable w/o indicators to represent values/goals;

selection criteria, stakeholder process being tested

Adaptive management is key to success Constant change, adaptive problem solving tools, management

as experiments to test theories

ScaleScale

Biodiversity and ScaleBiodiversity and Scale Conservation knowledge and policies must

span multiple scales in space and time

Ecosystem “legacies” influence diversity

Forest fragments support reduced biodiversity

but rarely act like “islands”

Strategies must be place and time specific – no

universal generalities

DisturbanceDisturbance

Disturbance Dynamics KeyDisturbance Dynamics Key HRV useful but limited utility for SFM; need

practical FRV concept

Fire is major shaper of forest biodiversity at

multiple scales

Invasive species can cause radical ecosystem

changes; require interdisciplinary strategies

Disturbance variation is connected to climate

change, human land uses, management

Future Range of Variation (FRV)Future Range of Variation (FRV)

Legacy effects are lasting

Climate change is continual

More people with changing resource

demands, values, risk tolerance

Invasive species create new challenges

New technologies, “toys,” knowledge

IndicatorsIndicators

Match Indicators to Values, GoalsMatch Indicators to Values, Goals Biodiversity is too complex to address without

use of indicators No universal set of core indicators Clear objectives essential for indicator selection;

they represent different diversity values Structured, participatory process developed for

indicator selection and use Indicators serve different purposes SFM needs to rethink how it has used indicators

Adaptive ManagementAdaptive Management

Adaptive ManagementAdaptive Management Sustainability is NOT possible without continual

adaptation Biodiversity conservation requires traditional

forestry plus more NTFP impacts poorly understood Ready, open access to information, decision

support systems key to successful adaptation Conservation theories need adaptive

management for field validation

Adaptive Management – Adaptive Management – Its More Different than You Think!Its More Different than You Think!

Uncertainties, complex interactions, value conflicts are not solvable through technical plans, theories, models, more and better science alone

Works best when managers, scientists, stakeholders in constant conversation: testing ideas, sharing goals, taking risks, adjusting to new information -- TOGETHER

Requires redirection of resources from excessive planning to bold action, effective monitoring

Linking Values to SustainabilityLinking Values to Sustainability

Forest Values to be SustainedForest Values to be SustainedProblems to be SolvedProblems to be Solved

IndicatorsIndicators

Plan: Plan: Assessment, StrategiesAssessment, Strategies

ActionsActions

Monitoring & ResearchMonitoring & Research

EvaluationEvaluation““Audit”Audit”

ADAPTATIONADAPTATION

Work in ProgressWork in Progress

Public biodiversity awareness, attitudes and values Post-fire management and biodiversity – 3 regions Science basis for biodiversity standards & practices Guidelines for participatory monitoring Curriculum for non-timber forest products training Incentives for private forest owners – non-industrial Old growth strategies – PNW, NE & SE Impacts of global wood markets on forest biodiversity Planted forests and biodiversity Non-native invasive species management strategies Conservation planning and biodiversity Field trials of indicator selection protocol

NCSSF Ongoing WorkNCSSF Ongoing Work

NCSSF 2005 New WorkNCSSF 2005 New WorkEmphasis on Delivering Results:

Design “hand off” process for 2006 Applications workshops for users Illustrated implementation guide

book Applications of ecosystem

functions scorecard SFM certification “outcomes

assessment” protocol (FSC/SFI) HRV update to FRV approach Adaptive mgmt. implementation Economics of SFM practices

Increased awareness & understanding of SFM and biodiversity by policy makers, managers, practitioners and researchers

High quality research results published widely in peer reviewed journals

Communication of usable information to foresters and stakeholders

Application of NCSSF knowledge & tools to SFM policies, management and practices

NCSSF Measures of SuccessNCSSF Measures of Success

Questions or Comments?Questions or Comments?