Forest Certification in Developing and Transitioning ... - UTas ePrints

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forest certification in developing and transitioning countries
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and obtain certification, length of cutting cycles and logging intensities
needed to be revised and adjusted according to local growth conditions
and the general context of the management unit (regional and local
growth and mortality patterns, diameter distribution of commercial
species, among others). This led to the redefinition of the annual harvesting
area and/or logging intensities in several management units.
Five-year management plans. Certification requires five-year management
plans. Thus the “creaming” of the most productive forest stands has largely
been avoided, giving way to a long-term vision of the impacts of forestry
operations on forest dynamics and structure.
Inclusion of NTFPs. Although the harvesting of NTFPs is socially one of the
most important activities in the Petén region, this aspect was generally not
included in the management plans before certification.
Financial analysis. In many cases, certification required the inclusion of
financial analyses in order to determine the financial viability of the proposed
management.
Improved Resource Management
Forest management as practiced by the community groups had been adequate even
before certification. Nevertheless, compliance with pre-conditions and conditions
improved forestry operations, in particular through the application of instruction
manuals for resource management, better planning, infrastructure construction, and
improved tree harvesting. In some cases, implementation of silvicultural treatments
was required, though these are not always considered beneficial by the people in
charge of forestry operations.
Species Protection
The certification standards have emphasized the protection of threatened species
according to CITES, and the protection of seed trees, residual trees and those reserved
for future harvests. Additionally, certification has required that defective trees not be
harvested, and that fauna be protected through habitat conservation, hunting regulations,
listing prohibited species, among others.
Protection of Conservation Areas
Aspects of forest management related to the protection of water bodies, soil, and
archeological sites were improved. In some cases, forestry operations were required to
improve demarcation of protected zones along rivers, lagoons and wetlands.
Plan for Prevention and Control of Forest Fires
In a number of management units, a plan for the prevention and control of forest
fires was required, including: a monitoring and patrol program, a system of fines for
yale school of forestry & environmental studies