Page 341 - Environment: The Science Behind the Stories

strategies, many of our forest ecosystems could be altered in
profound ways. Already many dense, moist forests devastated
by beetles have been replaced by drier woodlands, shrub-
lands, or grasslands. Further changes to our forests could cre-
ate novel types of ecosystems not seen today.

Sustainable forestry is gaining ground

We can help address all of today’s challenges to our forests
with sustainable forestry practices. Although the world overall
is losing forested land, we are making a number of advances
toward sustainability in our forestry practices (FIGURE 12.19).
Any company can claim that its timber harvesting prac-
tices are sustainable, but how is the purchaser of wood prod-
ucts to know whether they really are? Organizations such as
the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) examine practices and
rate them against criteria for sustainability. They grant sus-
tainable forest certification to forests, companies, and prod-
ucts produced using methods they judge to be sustainable FIGURE 12.20 Inspectors work with loggers in Michigan’s
(FIGURE 12.20). Upper Peninsula to confirm that timber is harvested in
Several certification organizations exist, but the Forest accord with FSC criteria for sustainable harvesting.
Stewardship Council is considered to have the strictest
standards. So, for example, all of the products produced The number of FSC-certified forests, companies, and
by NewPage’s Escanaba mill attain certification by the products is growing quickly. More than 8% of the world’s
®
Sustainable Forestry Initiative program, but only some forests managed for timber production are now FSC certified.
achieve the stricter FSC certification. The paper for this text- This totaled over 179 million ha (440 million acres) in 79
book is “chain-of-custody certified” by the FSC, meaning nations as of 2013. More than 1200 operations are certified,
that all steps in the life cycle of the paper’s production— and nearly 29,000 companies or projects are chain-of-custody
from timber harvest to transport to pulping to production— certified. Some of the growth of certification is tied to the
have met strict standards. FSC certification rests on 10 increasing construction of green buildings (pp. 366–368).
general principles (TABLE 12.2) and 56 more-detailed criteria. Pursuing sustainable forestry practices is often more
costly for producers in the short term, but producers recoup
these costs when consumers are willing to pay more for
Loss Gain certified products. In the long term, sustainable practices
conserve the resource base, thus holding down costs. When
Total forest
we ask businesses if they carry certified wood or paper,
Primary forest

Forest for timber TABLE 12.2 Ten Principles of Forest Stewardship
production
Council (FSC) Certification
Forest for soil/
water protection To receive FSC certification, forest product companies must:
• Comply with all laws and treaties.
Forest for biodiversity
conservation • Show uncontested, clearly defined, long-term land rights.
Productive • Recognize and respect indigenous peoples’ rights.
plantations
• Maintain or enhance long-term social and economic well-
–6 –4 –2 0 2 4 6 being of forest workers and local communities, and respect
Average annual net change in forest area workers’ rights.
(million hectares per year) • Use and share benefits derived from the forest equitably.

FIGURE 12.19 Progress worldwide toward sustainable for- • Reduce environmental impacts of logging and maintain the
estry is mixed, as shown by six leading indicators. On the one forest’s ecological functions.
hand, forest uses are shifting toward conservation, and timber pro- • Continuously update an appropriate management plan.
duction is increasingly coming from plantations. On the other hand, • Monitor and assess forest condition, management activities,
primary forest is still being lost, and global forest area is shrinking. and social and environmental impacts.
Data from U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, 2010. Global forest resources • Maintain forests of high conservation value.
assessment 2010.
• Promote restoration and conservation of natural forests.
How much area of primary forest is lost each year? How
340 much area in plantations is gained each year? Source: Forest Stewardship Council

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