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National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry Releases Report, Science, Biodiversity and Sustainability
The National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry (NCSSF) released Science, Biodiversity and Sustainable Forestry, a report presenting the findings of its first two years of work, at the USDA Forest Service Centennial Congress. The Commission is a program of the National Council for Science and the Environment (NCSE).
Science, Biodiversity and Sustainable Forestry presents 18 findings in four key areas: 1) landscape patterns; 2) disturbance dynamics; 3) biodiversity indicators; and, 4) adaptive management. Some examples of the NCSSF findings include:
- Fire significantly influences patterns of biodiversity within and among forest ecosystems.
- Biodiversity is too broad a concept and too variable across forest types to be represented by a universal set of indicators.
- Forest fragments support reduced levels of biodiversity.
- Gathering of non-timber forest products (medicinal plants, herbs, mushrooms, foliage for decorations) has both positive and negative implications for sustaining biodiversity.
- Biodiversity conservation requires traditional forestry practices and more.
- Management practices must adapt to evolving knowledge.
The NCSSF findings are a valuable resource for the broad forestry community and the public. The Commission, acting as an independent, honest broker with representatives from diverse stakeholders including academia, industry, government, and the environmental community has reviewed, assessed and integrated a wide range of scientific sources into consensus judgments. Several hundred people have been involved in the NCSSF program over the last three years as funded researchers and participants in workshops, surveys, proposal reviews, and many other ways.
The report is targeted at forest managers, practitioners and policy makers and will help these groups "do their jobs better" stated Dr. Hal Salwasser, Commission Chair and Dean of the College of Forestry at Oregon State University.
The Commission addresses key issues by developing practical tools, creating new information from research, and integrating existing research into useable knowledge. "While a rich body of science on biodiversity and forest management exists, it is not well connected to practical applications," said Salwasser. "Scientific disagreement over whether biodiversity should be preserved through reserves [areas set aside for protection], integrated as a priority throughout working forest landscapes, or conserved through a pragmatic combination of reserves and managed forests, has increased polarization and public misperceptions."
Salwasser continued, "One result of this is continued confusion over the complimentary roles of reserves and working forests in biodiversity conservation. We now know it is possible to conduct cost-effective conservation strategies and also allow for the sustainable production of natural resources which enhance the quality of human life."
NCSSF is sponsored by a consortium including the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Surdna Foundation, the Packard Foundation, and the National Forest Foundation (NFF). The Commission has completed half of its initial five-year program to advance the science and practice of biodiversity conservation in sustainable forestry.
Access NCSSF's report: Science, Biodiversity and Sustainability (pdf)
Aaron Lien
National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry
National Council for Science and the Environment
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