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DEFINITIONS OF FOREST STATE, STAGE, ORIGIN, AND MANAGEMENT
H. Gyde Lund
Forest Information Services
Email: gyde@comcast.net
Last updated: 14 February 2018
Abstract: Having a common understanding of what constitutes a "forest" and its derivatives (such as
old growth, pristine, native, secondary forest, etc.) is fundamental for a discussion of assessment
methods, ecosystem status, and sustainability. However, there is considerable variation nationally
and globally in the definition and use of these terms. This paper lists the range of definitions and
descriptors in use.
Keywords: Old-growth, Pristine, Climax, Ancient forest
Cite as: Lund, H. Gyde. 2018 revised. Definitions of Forest State, Stage, Origin, and
Management. [Online publication], Gainesville, VA: Forest Information Services. Misc. pagination.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
In the past twenty years there has been an increased interest in the management and fate of our
remaining forest lands. This has pitted industrial and environmental groups to work against each
other instead of supporting one another. Part of the controversy is a lack of understanding or
agreement on what is meant by various terms that describe the condition of a forest. This paper lists
some of the general definitions currently in use derived from a literature search, the Internet and
individual contributions. My thanks to all those who took the time to share their information and
thoughts with me.
The following is a list of definitions I initiated at the request of Dr. Anatoly Shvidenko (IIASA) for the
International Scientific Conference on The World's Natural Forests and Their Role in Global
Processes. 15-20 August 1999. Khabarovsk, Russia. Sources include searches on the internet,
literature review, and individual responses to a broad emailing to various forestry lists. First entries
are generally from WWWebster and serve to put the subsequent forest definitions in perspective. My
thanks to all that contributed.
For definitions of "forests" see Lund, H. Gyde. 2018 rev* Definitions of Forest, Deforestation,
Afforestation, and Reforestation. [Online] Gainesville, VA: Forest Information Services. Misc.
pagination: Note, this paper has been continuously updated since 1998. DOI:
10.13140/RG.2.1.2364.9760
Ancient Forest:
1. A forest that is typically older than 200 years with large trees, dense canopies and an abundance
of diverse wildlife. http://www.nrdc.org/reference/glossary/a.asp
2. Ancient (& Ornamental) Woodlands - Unenclosed broad-leaved woodland.
http://www.hants.gov.uk/newforest/bibliog.html
3. Ancient Forest, – “A territory within the forest zone”: which contains forest and nonforest
ecosystems that have been minimally disturbed by human economic activity; the area of which is
at least 500 square kilometres; and the minimum width (i.e. diameter) of which is 10 kilometres.
1
This definition is outside of the various intergovernmental definitions of forest (see Box).
http://www.worldgrowth.org/assets/file/WG%20Forestry_Development_Final%20Report.pdf
4. Ancient Forests, - forests that have existed since at least a number of centuries,
https://ees.kuleuven.be/forests2011/PositionPaperForests.pdf
5. Ancient semi-natural woodland (ASNW) - those semi-natural stands on ancient woodland sites.
The precise definition varies according to the local circumstances in each country within the
United Kingdom and guidance should be sought from the Forestry Commission or Forest Service
as appropriate. http://www.ukwas.org.uk/standard/certification_standard/glossary.html
6. Ancient wood (woodlands) - A classification for woodland which has been in continuous existence
from before AD 1600 in England, Wales and N. Ireland and from before AD 1750 in Scotland.
http://www.fsc-uk.demon.co.uk/Appendices.html, Forestry Commission (1998).
7. Ancient Woodland - A site which has been woodland continuously since at least 1600AD
http://www.tnw.org.uk/Note17.html
8. Ancient Woodland - A woodland that has existed continuously since 1700, and possibly pre-
history. http://www.dorsetcoppicegroup.co.uk/resources/Dorset_Coppice_Group_Glossary.pdf
9. Ancient woodland - Land which has been woodland since at least AD 1600.
http://www.angelfire.com/on3/wildberks/Glossary.htm
10. Ancient Woodland - Woodland in Britain that originated before 1600 AD. Ancient woodland can
also be secondary woodland http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/herts/reserves/glossary.html#Acid
11. ancient woodland - Woodland that has been in continuous existence since before AD 1600 in
England, Wales and Northern Ireland or since before AD 1750 in Scotland.
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/ForestStats2006.nsf/byunique/glossary.html,
http://www.ukwas.org.uk/standard/certification_standard/glossary.html and
http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/herts/reserves/glossary.html
12. Ancient Woodland. -Land that has had continuous woodland cover since at least 1600AD and
may be: Ancient Semi-natural woodland - Ancient woodland sites that have retained the native
tree and shrub cover that has not been planted, although it may have been managed by coppicing
or felling and allowed to regenerate naturally. Ancient Replanted Woodland - Ancient woodland
sites where the original native tree cover has been felled and replaced by planting, usually with
conifers and usually this century. http://www.english-nature.org.uk/pubs/gis/tech_aw.htm
13. Ancient, Old-Growth & Native Forests: essentially interchangeable terms. They refer to forest
areas that are relatively undisturbed by forest management, ranging in size from a few acres to
thousands of square miles. These areas may be near, surrounded by, or adjacent to forest areas
that have been heavily disturbed or altered by human management They have the following
characteristics: largely naturally regenerated, less than 30% of the stand or forest area has been
logged or cleared within the past century, relatively undisturbed such that human activities have
not significantly altered native forest structure, composition or function, dominated by pre-
European tree species, relatively unmanaged although they may suffer from a history of fire
suppression or grazing, and composed of individual trees or stands of trees of different ages, with
old- growth components constituting at least half of the stand or forest unit and having at least four
trees per acre over 150 years of age.
http://www.coopamerica.org/woodwise/business/wpledgeglossary.htm
14. Ancient/Old-Growth Forests refer to forest areas that are relatively undisturbed by human activity.
Ancient forests vary significantly in age and structure from forest type toforest type and one bio-
geo-climate zone to another. The following features generally characterize ancient forests: they
have not undergone any significant industrial activity, they are naturally regenerated and
dominated by a range of indigenous tree species, their tree size, age and spacing vary widely,
their accumulations of dead standing trees (snags) and fallen trees are much more frequent than
in younger forests, they contain trees that are large for the species and site combination, their
2
overhead tree canopy has many openings, with multiple canopy layers that encourages a forest
floor lush with ferns, berry bushes, mosses etc http://www.oldgrowthfree.com/policy.html
15. Ancient: 1 : having had an existence of many years 2 : of or relating to a remote period, to a time
early in history, or to those living in such a period or time; especially : of or relating to the historical
period beginning with the earliest known civilizations and extending to the fall of the western
Roman Empire in A.D. 476. 3 : having the qualities of age or long existence: (http://www.m-
w.com/dictionary)
16. Forest areas that are relatively undisturbed by human activity…Ancient Forests are made up of
frontier forests, primary forest fragments and old-growth forests.
http://www.greenpeaceusa.org/forests/definitiontext.htm
17. Forests following the Ice Age. Bonnicksen (2000).
18. Land which has been woodland since at least AD 1600. http://www.woodland-
trust.org.uk/glossary/indexfr.htm The Woodland Trust Glossary
19. Old growth" forest areas that have never been timbered and therefore contain dominant mature
trees, such as redwoods in California and Douglas fir in the Pacific Northwest.
http://www.ecoweb.org/terms.htm#a EcoTerms Dictionary.
20. Old growth, natural or primary forests.
http://archive.greenpeace.org/politics/wto/Doha/reports/wto.pdf
21. That which "grows on land which has been wooded continuously since at least 1600"; Peterken
(1987). (WWF Report "The Status of Old-Growth and Semi-Natural Forests in Western Europe",
May 1994). From: Alexander.Korotkov@unece.org. Date: Thu, 15 Oct 1998 17:09:40 +0200
Anthropogenic forest
1. Anthropogenic of, relating to, or resulting from the influence of human beings on nature
<anthropogenic pollutants (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
2. Anthropogenic forests are natural tree dominated ecosystems have been impacted by humans
with a frequency or intensity to change established seral patterns and natural biodiversity status. If
left alone Anthropogenic Forests posses the capacity to mature into natural forest systems. Ranil
Senanayake <100232.3435@CompuServe.COM
3. (Nicaragua) - Draft - Bosque Intervenido: Bosque Natural que ha sido sometido a intervención
humana en los últimos veinticinco años. www.nicarao.org.ni/ja (see Borrador de la ley, CAPITULO
II DEFINICIONES) Harrie <harnic@ibw.com.ni>
Antique Forest:
1. Antique: 1 : existing since or belonging to earlier times (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
2. Both primary and secondary woodland that originated prior to a particular date, which in Britain is
often set at around 1600, as secondary woodland was rarely created by planting before then
(Allaby 1994). Helene M Cleveland CCMAIL <hmclevel@aec.apgea.army.mil
3. The oldest of the old: forests that have been around long enough to accumulate, among other
things, a rich assemblage of old-growth epiphytes. Such forests seem invariably to be more than
300 to 350 years old, and many, in many cases, have been in existence much longer than the
most ancient trees within them. The last point is important. A 150-year-old tree in a 500-year-old
forest may well support more old-growth indicators than a 250-year-old tree in a forest dating from
a fire of equivalent vintage. (Goward 1994).
Artificial Forest:
Artificial - 1: humanly contrived often on a natural model : MAN-MADE <an artificial limb <artificial
diamonds (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
3
Climax Forest:
1. Climax: 3 : a relatively stable ecological stage or community especially of plants that is achieved
through successful adjustment to an environment; especially : the final stage in ecological
succession (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
2. A community that represents the culminating stage of a natural forest succession for its locality,
i.e., its environment. (SAF 1977) and http://www.fw.vt.edu/zedaker/3364/ecolterms.html
3. A forest community that represents the final stage of natural forest succession for its environment.
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/pab/publctns/GLOSSARY/C.htm
4. A forest that represents the final stage of natural forest succession for its locality, i.e. for its
environment. Often identified as those forests that can reproduce indefinitely (i.e. in their own
shade). http://www.pfpn.gc.ca/rep98/gloss_e.html and
http://www.inac.gc.ca/building/forests/forest_j.html
5. A community that represents the culminating stage of a natural forest succession for its locality, i.e
for its environment. http://www.eresourcesystems.com/Help/Glossary/glossary.html
6. A relatively stable forest community which is balanced within the existing environmental
conditions. http://www.gn.apc.org/LivingEarth/RainforestDB/glossary.a-e.html#climax_forest
7. A secondary forest (cloud or rain), that is allowed to reclaim its flora and fauna mostly on its own,
working with pollinators (wind, rain, birds, mammals, plants, etc. And after some 100 years
becomes a climax forest, in reality it can not be called a primary forest again, since it has undergo
changes in its habitat from the original status, new species are introduce(exotic) and old species
prevail(endemic). http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/5974/
8. Historic Climax Plant Community -- The plant community that was best adapted to the unique
combination of factors associated with the ecological site. It was in a natural dynamic equilibrium
with the historic biotic. abiotic, climatic factors on its ecological site in North America at the time of
European immigration and settlement. http://nsscnt.nssc.nrcs.usda.gov/nfm/apxframe.htm
9. Plant community dominated by trees representing the culminating stage of natural succession for
that specific locality and environment (17).
http://rredc.nrel.gov/biomass/forest/tim_glossary/t_glossary.html#C
10. The final stage of plant succession in which species composition remains relatively stable. The
climax forest for most of Mississippi would be the oak-hickory forest type. Pine is an intermediate
species prior to the climax forest. http://ext.msstate.edu/pubs/pub1250.htm
Community Forest
1. (Cameroon 1995) Article 3 of its Implementing Decree, promulgated in 1995, provides the
following definition of a community forest: “a forest forming part of the nonpermanent forest estate,
which is covered by a management agreement between a village community and the Forestry
Administration. http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/east_central_africa_cca_study.pdf
2. (Cameroon) -Community forest – that part of non-permanent forest estate (not more than 5000
ha) that is the object of an agreement between government and a community in which
communities undertake sustainable forest management for a period of 25 years renewable.
(MINEF 19989e http://doc.utwente.nl/60165/1/thesis_Minang.pdf
3. (Cameroon) community forest is defined as “a forest of the non-permanent forest estate, subject
to a management agreement between a village community and the Administration in charge of
forests. http://www.pfmp-farmsos.org/Docs/pfm%20conference_proceeding.pdf
4. (Liberia) A Communal Forest is defined as “An area set aside by statute of regulation for the
sustainable use of Forest Products by local communities or tribes on a non-commercial basis”
(s.1.3). http://www.sdiliberia.org/sites/default/files/documents/So%20Who%20Owns%20the
%20Forest_full%20report.pdf
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5. (UN FAO 1978) defined Community Forest (CF) as, "any situation which intimately involves local
people in forestry activities" https://zidapps.boku.ac.at/abstracts/download.php?
dataset_id=6137&property_id=107&role_id=NONE
Conversion Forest
1. (Cambodia 2009) -‘Conversion forestland’ is defined as “idle land, comprised mainly of secondary
vegetation, not yet designated for use by any sector that shall be classified as permanent forest
reserves until the Royal Government decide[s] to use and develop the land for another purpose”.
http://www.itto.int/direct/topics/topics_pdf_download/topics_id=2648&no=1&disp=inline
2. (Indonesia 2009) Conservation forest is defined as a forest area with specified characteristics and
having as a main function the conservation of biological diversity (flora and fauna) and the
ecosystems. http://www.apforgen.org/National%20status%20reports.pdf
3. (Indonesia 2009)- Conversion forests are defined as those with a standing volume of less than 20
m³ per hectare which are proposed to be cleared for agriculture, plantation, transmigration or
industrial forest plantations.
http://www.itto.int/direct/topics/topics_pdf_download/topics_id=2648&no=1&disp=inline
4. Conversion forest -Conversion forest is defined as ‘forest which will be converted to other land
uses by planned actions within a foreseeable future’ (Poore et al., 1989).
http://www.cde.unibe.ch/University/pdf/Feu_CP_Vol6(3)_Foener_et_al_edited_00A.pdf
Core Forest –
1. (Forest land) relatively far from the forest–nonforest boundary
http://www.springerlink.com/content/j1un144n10086417/fulltext.pdf
2. A forest pixel that was surrounded by a completely forested window,
http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol9/iss2/art13/
3. A large patch of woods that have a buffer of woods around it.
http://www.wkok.com/1070_WKOK/NEWS_ARCHIVES/121410.htm
4. Any forest located further than a specified distance from a forest boundary.
http://forest.jrc.ec.europa.eu/docs/pattern/regional_studies/AGILE_poster.pdf (EC 2008)
5. Areas with continuous forest cover during the past 198–316 years, with the variation due to the
age of the oldest maps available. http://192.38.112.111/pdf-reprints/Brunet_2011_FEM.pdf
6. Core forest is defined as the area of the remnant minus an edge of a certain width.
http://forest.jrc.ec.europa.eu/docs/publications/2009/EUR23841EN_Estreguil_and_Mouton_2009.
pdf
7. Core forest is one that is densely populated with trees over a large area to support a diversely
populated forest environment http://hickwilly.blogspot.com/2010/02/lumberjack-bill-show-problem-
of-maple.html
8. Core Forest, Large - Core forest patches that are greater than 500 acres.
http://clear.uconn.edu/projects/landscape/forestfrag/measuring/core_explained.htm
9. Core Forest, Medium - Core forest patches that are between 250-500 acres.
http://clear.uconn.edu/projects/landscape/forestfrag/measuring/core_explained.htm
10. Core Forest, Small - Core forest patches that are less than 250 acres.
http://clear.uconn.edu/projects/landscape/forestfrag/measuring/core_explained.htm
11. Core or interior forest habitat, away from edge (over 300 feet from road or edge).
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wlhabitat/forest/forest_quality.aspx
12. Forest more than about 00 feet from a nonforest edge
http://www.scribd.com/doc/23186045/Pennsylvania-Forest-Inventory-and-Data
13. Forest patches greater than 300 feet in distance to an altered edge.
http://www.highlands.state.nj.us/njhighlands/master/releases/forest_integrity_analysis.pdf
5
14. Forest pixels that are relatively far from the forest-nonforest boundary. Essentially these are
forested areas surrounded by more forested areas.
http://clear.uconn.edu/projects/landscape/forestfrag/measuring/core_explained.htm
15. Forest that is more than 100 meters from an edge or another type of land cover
http://willistonvt.govoffice3.com/vertical/Sites/%7BF506B13C-605B-4878-8062-
87E5927E49F0%7D/uploads/%7B4C496729-348F-4E34-8728-C01CBB5419CC%7D.PDF and
http://www.circeis.org/documents/ROD/Circ-Williston%20ROD%20Appendix%20A.pdf
16. Forestland that is 300 feet or more from non-forested areas.
http://clear.uconn.edu/publications/forestfrag_summary.pdf.
17. The area of the remnant minus an edge of a certain width
http://forest.jrc.ec.europa.eu/docs/publications/2009/EUR23841EN_Estreguil_and_Mouton_2009.
pdf
18. The inner forest areas, in the present case assumed to be 10 km beyond the edge of forest. This
is usually the undisturbed forest area. http://www.fao.org/docrep/007/t0830e/T0830E04.htm
19. The inner part of a forested region that is situated beyond a certain distance to forest boundary.
http://www.forim.sk/index_soubory/Merganic_Merganicova_2007_IferResersWEB.pdf
20. The interior area of a forest patch beyond the reach of edge effects.
http://arec.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/faculty/plantinga/wildlife/LewisPlantingaWu2009AJA
E.pdf, http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/pubs/journals/pnw_2009_lewis002.pdf and.
http://www.bioecon.ucl.ac.uk/9th_2007/Wu.pdf
21. The portion of the forest that is 100 meters from the edge (Temple, 1986).
http://www.in.gov/indot/div/projects/us31/study/Documents/FEIS/US31_FEIS_Chapter04_09.pdf
22. The uninterrupted area of forest beginning at least 330 feet from any developed area (road,
house, driveway, lawn, field). http://www.hartford-vt.org/downloads/773
Degradation
1. (Animal resources) - Overstocking, malnutrition, animal diseases, loss of certain species, etc.
http://anmf.web1000.com/BIBLIOGRAPHY%20ON%20AFRICA%20MOUNTAINS.html
2. (Degrade) To wear down, reduce to lower quality, by erosion or reduce the complexity of a
chemical compound.
http://www.epa.gov/grtlakes/seahome/housewaste/src/glossary1.htm#degradation
3. (Degradation – ICRAF – 2017) Loss of functionality from the perspective of (specific) humans,
usually based on change in land cover and ecosystem services
http://dx.doi.org/10.5716/WP16079.PDF
4. (Environmental) - A process of changing any element of the environment to the point that the
ecosystem is thrown out of equilibrium. http://www.geocities.com/atlas/env/
5. (Environmental) - Exhaustion or destruction of a potentially renewable resource such as air,
water, forest, or wildlife by consuming it at a rate faster than it is naturally renewed. If such use
continues, the resource can become nonrenewable or nonexistent on a human time scale. Also
see sustainable yield. http://www.geog.ouc.bc.ca/conted/onlinecourses/enviroglos/e.html
6. (Forest - Bolivia) DEGRADACIÓN: Proceso que consiste la transformación de un sistema,
orden, estructura o sustancia compleja, a un nivel inferior. así tenemos la degradación biológica,
de los bosques. Source: Luis Castello faopaf@caoba.entelnet.bo Adjunto sírvase encontrar la
versión no oficial y premilinar del Glosario Forestal elaborado por el Proyecto de Apoyo a la
Coordinación e Implementación del Plan de Acción Forestal para Bolivia
7. (Forest - Bolivia) The forests experience a quick degradation, that consists the impoverishment
of the forest areas or alteration of the forests original condition. This is a direct consequence of the
wooden commercial use, which is usually direct impact on lose genetic diversity, and economic
value of the forest with a the strongest genet erosion. , Source: Diego Pacheco, 1998. “Estilos de
6
desarrollo, deforestación y degradación de los bosques en tierras bajas de Bolivia”
plural@caoba.entelnet.bo La Paz - Bolivia
8. (Forest - Canada - BC) The diminution of biological productivity or diversity. [Source: Glossary of
Forestry Terms, Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Forests,
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/pab/publctns/glossary/glossary.htm via Igor A. Yakovlev]
9. (Forest – CBD) - A secondary forest that has lost, through human activities, the structure,
function, species composition or productivity normally associated with a natural forest type
expected on that site. Hence, a degraded forest delivers a reduced supply of goods and services
from the given site and maintains only limited biological diversity. Biological diversity of degraded
forests includes many non-tree components, which may dominate in the under canopy vegetation.
(Proposed definition). Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Forest Biological Diversity under CBD
(UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA 2001) http://www.biodiv.org/programmes/areas/forest/definitions.asp
10. (Forest - Chile 2016) Forest Degradation -All forms of carbon reduction in a forest induced by
human activity to such an extensive degree that a halt of all regular forestry activities are required,
and an additional investment is needed to maintain the forest’s permanence and resilience, but
does not provoke a change in land - use.
http://redd.unfccc.int/files/2016_submission_frel_chile_english.pdf
11. (Forest - Ethiopia 2016). Forest degradation is defined as the loss of carbon stock in forest land
remaining forest land, and forest enhancement is defined as the enrichment of carbon stock in
forest land remaining forest land (or the opposite of forest degradation).
12. (Forest - EU) Biological, chemical or physical processes which result in the loss of the productive
potential of natural resources in areas covered by forests and/or used by agriculture. Degradation
may be permanent, although some forest areas may recover naturally or with human assistance
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg08/forests/en/en4_6.htm and
http://www.wrm.org.uy/actors/WB/1991policy3.html
13. (Forest – EU) Change of forest class (from closed to open forest) which negatively affects the
stand or site and lowers production capacity. Degradation is not reflected in the estimates of
deforestation http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg08/forests/en/en4_6.htm
14. (Forest – FAO 1990) Changes within the forest class which negatively affect the stand or site and,
in particular, lower the production capacity. Thus degradation is not reflected in the estimates of
deforestation. [Source: from http://faov02.fao.org:70/0gopher_root%3a[fao.fra]def_uk.txt
(concepts, definitions and methodology of the FAO Forest Resources Assessment 1990) via
Bernhard Schlamadinger]
15. (Forest – FAO 1993) - Changes within the forest ecosystem which negatively affect the stand or
site and, in particular, lower the production capacity of the stand (FAO,
1993). http://216.239.39.104/search?
q=cache:qOqeUxO6AdkJ:www.uz.ac.zw/ies/afsa/report9a.doc+%22Forest+degradation+is
%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
16. (Forest - FAO 1997) Changes within the forest class, for example, from closed to open forest,
which negatively affect the stand or site and, in particular, lower the production capacity. These
lands are considered apart from deforestation. (FAO 1997).
17. (Forest – FAO 2000) A reduction of canopy cover or stocking within the forest.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/j9345e/j9345e08.htm
18. (Forest – FAO 2003) The long-term reduction of the overall potential supply of benefits from the
forest, which includes carbon, wood, biodiversity and other goods and services.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/j9345e/j9345e08.htm
19. (Forest - FAO 2000) Forest degradation is a reduction of the canopy cover or stocking within the
forest. Explanatory note: For the purpose of having a harmonized set of forest and forest change
definitions, that also is measurable with conventional techniques, forest degradation is assumed to
be indicated by the reduction of canopy cover and/or stocking of the forest through logging, fire,
7
windfelling or other events, provided that the canopy cover stays above 10% (cf. definition of
forest). In a more general sense, forest degradation is the long-term reduction of the overall
potential supply of benefits from the forest, which includes wood, biodiversity and any other
product or service. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO 2000b)
20. (Forest - FAO 2001, 2006) Changes within the forest which negatively affect the structure or
function of the stand or site, and thereby lower the capacity to supply products and/or services.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/j9345e/j9345e08.htm
21. (Forest - FAO) Degradation (Forest):This does not involve a reduction of the forest area, but
rather a quality decrease in its condition, this being related to one or a number of different forest
ecosystem components (vegetation layer, fauna, soil, ...), to the interactions between these
components, and more generally to its functioning. The estimation of degradation can be
hampered by a number of difficulties that are notably caused by: the different choices of the initial
state of reference: "climax" or its numerous substitutes, the forest condition which corresponds to
the silvicultural model that was adopted, ...; the criteria (with their indicators) one favours: health
and vitality, species diversity, the production capacity of market or non-market goods and services;
depending upon whether we limit ourselves to the present date, or whether we consider that the
present state is only transitory and leads to a satisfactory, or even improved, later state.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/article/wfc/xii/ms12a-e.htm
22. (Forest - Guyana 2015) Degradation selective logging is the only driver of degradation that is
included in the assessment of historical emissions.
http://redd.unfccc.int/files/guyanas_proposal_for_reference_level_for_redd__-
_final_sept_2015.pdf
23. (Forest - Indonesia 2009) According to The Minister of Forestry No. 30/2009, forest degradation
is a deterioration of forest cover quantity and carbon stock during a certain period of time as a
result of human activities.
http://redd.unfccc.int/files/national_frel_for_redd__in_indonesia_2015.pdf
24. (Forest - Indonesia 2015) In this document, forest degradation is defined as a change of primary
forest classes, which include primary dryland, primary mangrove and primary peat swamp forests,
to secondary forest classes.
http://redd.unfccc.int/files/national_frel_for_redd__in_indonesia_2015.pdf
25. (Forest - IPCC 2003a) A direct human-induced loss of forest values (particularly carbon), likely to
be characterized by a reduction of tree cover. Routine management from which crown cover will
recover within the normal cycle of forest management operations is not included.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/j9345e/j9345e08.htm
26. (Forest - IPCC, 2003b) - A direct human-induced activity that leads to a long-term reduction in
forest carbon stocks. http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/j9345e/j9345e08.htm
27. (Forest - IPCC, 2003c) - The overuse or poor management of forests that leads to long-term
reduced biomass density (carbon stocks). http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/j9345e/j9345e08.htm
28. (Forest - IPCC, 2003d) - A direct human-induced long-term loss (persisting for X years or more) of
at least Y % of forest carbon stocks (and forest values) since time T and not qualifying as
deforestation or an elected activity under Article 3.4 of the Kyoto Protocol.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/j9345e/j9345e08.htm
29. (Forest - ITTO 2002) - Degraded forest - natural forest which has been fragmented or subjected
to forest utilization including for wood and or non-wood forest product harvesting that alters the
canopy cover and overall forest structure.
http://redd.unfccc.int/files/national_frel_for_redd__in_indonesia_2015.pdf
30. (Forest - ITTO 2002) Long-term reduction of the overall potential supply of benefits from the
forest, including wood, biodiversity and other products or services.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/j9345e/j9345e08.htm
8
31. (Forest - ITTO 2005) A direct human-induced loss of forest values (particularly carbon), likely to
be characterized by a reduction of tree crown cover. Routine management from which crown
cover will recover within the normal cycle of forest management operations is not included.
http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/j9345e/j9345e08.htm
32. (Forest – ITTO) Degraded forest - ITTO (in preparation) applies the state concept to degradation
referring to all those forests or forest lands that have been altered beyond the normal effects of
natural processes through human activities or natural disasters, such as fire, landslides, etc.
http://www.biodiv.org/doc/meetings/cop/cop-06/information/cop-06-inf-26-en.pdf
33. (Forest - Morocco and Yemen) Degradation (Arabic : Takhreeb, French : Degradation,
Spanish : Degradacion) - Here, there is not only a deforestation, but an agreession on the forest
as ecosystem, leading to a negative change in all its biotoipe(fauna, flora, soil, micro/meso
climate). The productivity of the whole ecosystem is lower. Degradation could lead to erosion,
drought, desertification and other calamities. Mohammed Ellatifi, m.ellatifi@ellatifi.8m.com
34. (Forest - REDD) - A forest which negatively affect the structure or function of the forest area, and
thereby lower the natural capacity of the forest to supply products or services. It is measured by
monitoring changes in forest carbon stock. http://theredddesk.org/encyclopaedia/degradation-or-
forest-degradationb
35. (Forest - REDD) - A reduction in the capacity of a forest to produce ecosystem services such as
carbon storage and wood products as a result of anthropogenic and environmental changes (e.g.
Thompson et al., 2013). http://redd.unfccc.int/files/national_frel_for_redd__in_indonesia_2015.pdf
36. (Forest - Slovenia) Forest in which the growth rate, or the fertility of forest land, is reduced, or
other possibilities for it to perform its function as a forest are reduced by negative outside
influences. [From: Slovenian LAW ON FORESTS - Milan SINKO milan.sinko@UNI-LJ.SI via
"Maksym Polyakov" <mpoliak@pcomp.usau.kiev.ua Date: Fri, 12 Jun 1998 16:11:17 +0300
(MSD)]
37. (Forest - UNEP/CBD, 2001) A degraded forest is a secondary forest that has lost, through human
activities, the structure, function, species composition or productivity normally associated with a
natural forest type expected on that site. http://www.fao.org/docrep/009/j9345e/j9345e08.htm
38. (Forest - UN-FCCC-IPCC) Forest Degradation -A direct human-induced long-term loss
(persisting for X years or more) of at least Y% of forest carbon stocks [and forest values] since
time T and not qualifying as deforestation or an elected activity under Article 3.4 of the Kyoto
Protocol. http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/gpglulucf/gpglulucf_files/Task2/Degradation.pdf
39. (Forest – USA – Forest Service) Degradation (Forest) (USFS) - A loss of a desired level of
maintenance over time of biological diversity, biotic integrity and ecological processes.
http://www.alric.org/research/unasylva/pdf/202_05.pdf
40. (Forest or grassland - FAO, UNEP) Degradation - Refer to changes in the quality of forest cover
which are an inevitable consequence of most forms of cultural forest modification, and only lead to
deforestation in the most extreme cases. http://www.geog.leeds.ac.uk/projects/openfor/main.html
41. (Forest or grassland -IPCC) Degraded forests or grasslands - Forests or grasslands that are
have been overused or poorly managed and are likely to have reduced biomass densities.
http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/gl/guidelin/ch5ref1.pdf
42. (Forest) A process which involves partial canopy loss with no clear reduction in forest area, but a
reduction in ecosystem services, more often described by a decrease in above ground
biomass .http://cbmjournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s13021-016-0054-9
43. (Forest) - All biological, chemical and physical processes that result in loss of the productive
potential of natural resources in areas that remain classified as forest (World Bank, 1991)
http://www.gisdevelopment.net/aars/acrs/1995/ps2/ps2008.shtml
44. (Forest) - Biological, chemical or physical processes which result in the loss of the productive
potential of natural resources in areas covered by forests and/or used by agriculture. Degradation
9
may be permanent, although some forest areas may recover naturally or with human assistance.
http://glossary.eea.eu.int/EEAGlossary/F/forest_degradation
45. (Forest) - Changes within the forest which negatively affect the structure or function of the stand
and site, and thereby lower the capacity to supply products and/or services (FAO)". .
http://www.biodiv.org/doc/meetings/cop/cop-06/information/cop-06-inf-26-en.pdf
46. (Forest) Degradation - Refers to changes within the biological, physical, and chemical processes
of the forest that negatively affect the area or site and lower its productive capacity or potential (for
example, soil erosion and loss of valuable or potentially valuable genetic types).
http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=1985&page=663
47. (Forest) - Logging or any form of removal of 90 percent of the trees leaving only 10 percent of the
tree crown cover …would be considered degradation if it results in damage to the land.
http://www.spcforests.org/Library/usestatus/usestatus.htm
48. (Forest) - May be generally defined as a reduction in tree density and/or increased disturbance to
the forest that results in the loss of forest products and forest-derived ecological
services. http://216.239.37.100/search?
q=cache:A5q0D_lXFJgC:www.wri.org/wri/pdf/indoforest_glossary.pdf+crown+cover+FAO+definitio
n&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
49. (Forest) - Most globally established definitions allude to the basic notion of a human-induced,
long-term, negative change in the forest’s structure, function and capacity to provide goods and
services in general. http://cbmjournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s13021-016-0054-9
50. (Forest) - The deterioration of plant species composition and biological functions without
necessarily involving a change in land use. http://anmf.web1000.com/BIBLIOGRAPHY%20ON
%20AFRICA%20MOUNTAINS.html
51. (Forest) - The deterioration of the health, quality and productive capacity of a forest.
http://www.peopleandplanet.net/section.php?
section=1&topic=8&PHPSESSID=1a9faae006a4efebfebe57431f0ca5ac
52. (Forest) - The ecologically deleterious depletion by human activity of standing woody biomass
and organic matter in forests, often associated with over-utilization of the forest for fuel or timber.
http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/caedac/dbases/glossary.htm
53. (Forest) Degradation usually implies a loss of productivity. Operations such as thinning and
salvage logging, while reducing the canopy cover, may not reduce the productivity of the land. In
fact it may increase it. Thus over story reduction alone may not be regarded as degraded forest.
54. (Forest) Degradation usually implies a loss of productivity. Operations such as thinning and
salvage logging, while reducing the canopy cover, may not reduce the productivity of the land. In
fact it may increase it. Thus over story reduction alone may not be regarded as degraded forest.
55. (Forest) Degraded forest - A state which delivers a reduced supply of goods and services from the
given site and maintains only limited biological diversity (CBD).
http://www.biodiv.org/doc/meetings/cop/cop-06/information/cop-06-inf-26-en.pdf
56. (Forest) Diminished Forest Land (74) - area and percent of forest land with diminished biological
components indicative of changes in fundamental ecological processes (e.g. soil, nutrient cycling,
seed dispersion, pollination) http://www.hq.nasa.gov/iwgsdi/SDI_Org_USDA.html
57. (Forest) Temporary or permanent reduction in the density, structure, species composition or
productivity of vegetation cover (Grainger 1996)
58. (Forest) The degradation or impoverishment of forests, measured in terms of loss of biodiversity
(which includes genetic, species and ecosystem diversity) and economic, cultural and ecological
utility and stability, resulting from the selective removal of trees or other forest plant and animal
species or the degradation of forest environments, through processes such as destructive logging,
burning, or invasion of disturbed habitats by weedy or less useful exotic species.
http://www.spcforests.org/Library/usestatus/usestatus.htm
10
59. (Forest) The ecologically deleterious depletion by human activity of standing woody biomass and
organic matter in forests, often associated with over-utilization of the forest for fuel or timber.
http://www.climateservices.com/glossary.htm and http://www.teleport.com/~taa/glossary.htm
60. (Forest) The reduction or loss of the biological and economic productivity and complexity of
forests and woodlands resulting from land use or combination of processes arising from human
activities. http://www.wrm.org.uy/oldsite/deforestation/Africa/Gambia.html
61. (Land – Kenya 2014) Land degradation can be described as reduction in the present and
prospective land quality and production, due to natural or anthropogenic dynamics (Braike and
Brookfield, 1987). (RCMRD, 2014). http://www.icta.go.ke/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/NATIONAL-
ASSESSMENT-OF-DEGRADED-LANDS-2014.pdf
62. (Land) - Deterioration in the quality of land, its topsoil, vegetation, and/or water resources, caused
usually by excessive or inappropriate exploitation.
http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/land-degradation.html
63. (Land) - "Land degradation is the reduction or loss of the biological or economic productivity and
complexity of rainfed cropland, irrigated cropland, or range, pasture, forest and woodlands
resulting from land uses or from a process or combination of processes arising from human
activities”
64. (Land) - A decrease in the production potential of the land.
http://www.earth.nasa.gov/nra/current/nra99oes06/apendixg.html
65. (Land) - A permanent loss of ecosystem function, caused by disturbance from which the system
cannot recover unaided.
66. (Land) - Decline in the potential of the land resources to meet human economic, social and
environmental functions needs. http://anmf.web1000.com/BIBLIOGRAPHY%20ON%20AFRICA
%20MOUNTAINS.html
67. (Land) - Land (soil, water and natural vegetation) degradation refers to undesirable changes in
plant composition and soil and land surface characteristics.
http://www.affa.gov.au/corporate_docs/publications/pdf/oper_env/armcanz/armcanz-may28.pdf
68. (Land) – Productive land that is rendered unproductive by human activity such as urban use
http://www.ocdsb.edu.on.ca/WOODSweb/geomatics/English/glossary.html
69. (Land) - The decline in condition or quality of the land as a consequence of misuse or overuse,
involving changes to soil, flora, fauna, water quality and quantity, visual quality and production
levels by humans http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/soe/95/28.htm
70. (Land) - The decline in the quality of the natural resources of the land resulting from human
activities. http://www.soil.pir.sa.gov.au/html/mar_rep_a5.htm
71. (Land) - The loss of the productive capacity of the land to sustain life.
http://anmf.web1000.com/BIBLIOGRAPHY%20ON%20AFRICA%20MOUNTAINS.html
72. (Land) - We define land degradation as long-term decline in ecosystem function and productivity
and measure it by remote sensing of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), the
greenness index. NDVI may be translated to net primary productivity (NPP). Deviation from the
norm serves as a proxy assessment of land degradation and improvement—if other factors that
may be responsible are taken into account. (Bai & Dent 2009).
http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.1579/0044-7447-38.3.150
73. (Land) -A composite term; it has no single readily-identifiable feature, but instead describes how
one or more of the land resources (soil, water, vegetation, rocks, air, climate, relief) has changed
for the worse. http://archive.unu.edu/env/plec/l-degrade/D-Ch_2.pdf
74. (Land) -The "reduction or loss, in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, of the biological or
economic productivity and complexity of rainfed cropland, irrigated cropland, or range, pasture,
forest and woodlands resulting from land uses or from a process or combination of processes,
including processes arising from human activities and habitation patterns, such as: (i) soil erosion
caused by wind and/or water; (ii) deterioration of the physical, chemical and biological or
11
economic properties of soil; and (iii) long-term loss of natural vegetation" (Convention to Combat
Desertification) and http://www.forestry.ac.cn/din/book1/xu.htm
75. (Mexico 2014) Degradation, according to the General Climate Change Law, refers to the
"reduction of the carbon content in the natural vegetation, ecosystems or soils due to human
intervention, in relation to that of same vegetation, ecosystem or soils in the absence of such
intervention." http://redd.unfccc.int/files/frel_mexico_modified.pdf
76. (Plant resources) - Reduced biodiversity, reduced biomass and nutritive value, reduced plant
cover and growth, plant diseases. http://anmf.web1000.com/BIBLIOGRAPHY%20ON%20AFRICA
%20MOUNTAINS.html
77. (Rangeland) has occurred only where there has been an effectively irreversible decline in the rate
of output of livestock products from the range under a specified system of management.
http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ifsa/posters/Mulale.doc
78. (Semi-natural forest) - A subset of semi-natural forests with some of the principle characteristics
and key components of native ecosystems; a return to a semi-natural forest is unlikely to occur in
a reasonable amount of time (i.e., decades) without human intervention.
http://www.fscus.org/html/about_fsc/who_we_are/glossary_of_terms.html#d
79. (Soil - USA-FED- CIA) Soil degradation - damage to the land's productive capacity because of
poor agricultural practices such as the excessive use of pesticides or fertilizers, soil compaction
from heavy equipment, or erosion of topsoil, eventually resulting in reduced ability to produce
agricultural products. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-
factbook/docs/notesanddefs.html#2032
80. (Soil) - A change in the soil health status resulting in a diminished capacity of the ecosystem to
provide goods and services for its beneficiaries, http://www.fao.org/soils-portal/soil-degradation-
restoration/en/ .
81. (Soil) – The loss of the capacity of the soil to produce vegetation as a result of soil erosion,
nutrient depletion, salinization and alkalinity, soil pollution by pesticides, nutrients, acid rain,
compaction and crust formation. http://anmf.web1000.com/BIBLIOGRAPHY%20ON%20AFRICA
%20MOUNTAINS.html
82. (Vegetation) - A reduction in the available biomass, and decline in the vegetative ground cover, as
a result of deforestation and overgrazing.
http://www.fao.org/landandwater/swlwpnr/reports/v_a/atx512.htm
83. (Vegetation) - The deterioration of the healthy conditions of the vegetation, expressed through
changes in its composition, structure and function (Kakembo 2001;TCM 1998).
http://www.itc.nl/library/Papers/msc_2002/nrm/barreiros_horta.pdf
84. (Water resources) - Depletion of groundwater resources, decline in water quality, sedimentation
of reservoirs, increased runoff and flash floods, flooding.
http://anmf.web1000.com/BIBLIOGRAPHY%20ON%20AFRICA%20MOUNTAINS.html
85. A reduction in form, capacity, potential, or value, such as the breakdown of organic matter by
decomposition, the erosion of continents, the lowering of energy available to do work, or the
lowering of potential of resource sustainability. http://www.nativehabitat.org/definitions.html
86. Any decline in the quality of natural resources commonly caused by human activities
http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/soe/95/28.htm
87. Degradation - Reduction in value or quality.
http://www.icbemp.gov/pdfs/deis/eastside/volume1/glossary.pdf
88. Degradation of natural resources – The result of the cumulative activities of farmers, households,
and industries, all trying to improve their socio-economic well being.
http://oaspub.epa.gov/trs/trs_proc_qry.alphabet?p_term_nm=D
89. Degradation of the environment- The process by which the environment is progressively
contaminated, overexploited and destroyed.(Source: RRDA)
http://oaspub.epa.gov/trs/trs_proc_qry.alphabet?p_term_nm=D
12
90. Degradation - General lowering of the earth’s surface by erosion or moving of materials from one
place to another. http://www.icbemp.gov/pdfs/deis/eastside/volume1/glossary.pdf
91. Degraded: characterized by degeneration of structure or function. (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
92. Processes or activities that weaken an ecosystem, adversely affecting biological diversity.
http://www.nature.nps.gov/nrbib/HTML%20files/32.htm#3152
93. The act or process of degrading (lowering to an inferior level) [Source: WWWebster Dictionary].
94. The process of degeneration. http://www.gn.apc.org/LivingEarth/RainforestDB/glossary.a-
e.html#climax_forest
Desertification
1. (IPCC) Desertification - Land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas resulting
from various factors, including climatic variations and human activities. Further, the United Nations
Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) defines land degradation as a reduction or loss, in
arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas, of the biological or economic productivity and complexity
of rain-fed cropland, irrigated cropland, or range, pasture, forest, and woodlands resulting from
land uses or from a process or combination of processes, including processes arising from human
activities and habitation patterns, such as: (i) soil erosion caused by wind and/or water; (ii)
deterioration of the physical, chemical and biological or economic properties of soil; and (iii) long-
term loss of natural vegetation. (Source: Second Order Draft Glossary IPCC WGI Fourth
Assessment Report http://www.junkscience.com/draft_AR4/GLOSSARY_SOD_TSU_FINAL.pdf )
2. (UN-CCD) Land degradation occurring in arid, semi-arid, dry subhumid areas where the ratio of
the annual precipitation to the evapotranspiration falls within the range of 0.005 to 0.65.
http://www.unccd.int/cop/reports/asia/national/2002/malaysia-eng.pdf.
3. (UN-EP) Land degradation in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas resulting mainly from
adverse human impact. (UNEP 1992) http://www.evsc.virginia.edu/~desert/desert/desert.html,
http://www.gps.caltech.edu/~arid/desert/desert.html and www.ciesin.columbia.edu/docs/002-
186/002-186.html
4. (UN-EP) The diminution or destruction of the biological potential of land, and can lead ultimately to
desert-like conditions. It is an aspect of the widespread deterioration of ecosystems, and has
diminished or destroyed the biological potential, i.e. plant and animal production, for multiple use
purposes at a time when increased productivity is needed to support growing populations in quest
of development. (UNEP, 1978) http://www.evsc.virginia.edu/~desert/desert/desert.html
5. (UN-EP) The diminution or destruction of the biological potential of the land, (which) can lead
ultimately to desert-like conditions. UN Secretariat 1977
6. A fertile region that has been made barren by the activities of human societies
http://campus.murraystate.edu/academic/faculty/frank.elwell/Prob3/glossary/gloss1.htm#DECARC
ERATION
7. A process by which fragile, semiarid ecosystems lose productivity because of loss of plant cover,
soil erosion, salinization, or waterlogging. Usually associated with human misuse.http
8. ://www.mhhe.com/biosci/pae/glossary/glossaryd.mhtml
9. A process of land becoming more desertlike as a result of human-induced devegetation and
related soil deterioration, sometimes aggravated by drought.
http://www.wiley.com/college/geog/cutter018104/resources/Chapter06/gloss06.htm
10. A process of land degradation initiated by human activity, particularly in the zones along the
margins of deserts http://www.ge-at.iastate.edu/courses/Geol_100/glossary.v2.html
11. A process whereby the productivity of drought-prone land decreases because of factors including
deforestation, over-cultivation, drought, over-grazing (poor rangeland management), poor
irrigation (waterlogging and salinization), soil erosion, chemical action and other practices (86G1).
http://www.alltel.net/~bsundquist1/og6.html#BM6C
13
12. Conversion of rangeland, rain-fed cropland to desert-like land, with a drop in agricultural
productivity of 10% or more. It is usually caused by a combination of overgrazing, soil erosion,
prolonged drought, and climate change.http://ecology.org/biod/library/glos_index.html
and http://www.gsu.edu/~mstnrhx/ecogloss.htm
13. Dry land becoming desert, either through a change in climate or through the actions of humans.
Intensive farming and clearing trees and other vegetation can make desertification
worse.http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/glossary.htm
14. Land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors,
including climatic variations and human activities.www.asia-tpn1.net/glossary.html and
http://www.nyo.unep.org/action/ap1.htm
15. Land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting mainly from adverse human
impact (and climatic variations), and is therefore a sub-set of land degradation in countries that
have additional climate
zones. http://www.adb.org/projects/PRC_GEF_Partnership/LD_definition.pdf
16. Land degradation in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas resulting from various factors,
including climatic variation and human activities. ?
17. Land degradation occurring in the arid, semiarid and dry subhumid areas of the world. These
susceptible drylands cover 40 percent of the earth's surface and puts at risk more than 1 billion
people who are dependent on these lands for
survival.http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/worldsoils/landdeg/degredation.html
18. Progressive destruction or degradation of existing vegetative cover to form desert. This can occur
due to overgrazing, deforestation, drought, and the burning of extensive
areas.http://www.hwwa.de/Projekte/Forsch_Schwerpunkte/FS/Klimapolitik/PDFDokumente/Micha
elowa,%20Koch%20(2001).pdf
19. The (usually) slow and progressive degradation of land towards a desert state.
http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/aboutus/annualreport/sect5.pdf
20. The conversion of ecosystems into barren land
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/iwgsdi/ISS_SDI_Climate.html
21. The creation of desert-like conditions in semi-arid areas, either by changes in the climatic pattern,
or by human mismanagement. http://greenplanet.eolss.net/EolssLogn/searchdt.asp?
cmd=getdoc&maxSize=200000&DocId=87&Index=D%3a\Program%20Files\dtSearch
%20Developer\UserData\C19&HitCount=2&hits=4cc+4cd+&hc=4&req=forest%2Bdegradation
22. The degradation of terrestrial ecosystems as a result of deforestation, overgrazing, poor soil, and
irrigation management. http://www.orst.edu/Dept/owrri/directory/glossary.htm#~D~
23. The diminution or destruction of the biological potential of land, and can lead ultimately to desert-
like conditions (definition of UNCOD) (85D1) (Dregne's definition is given on p.19 of 85D1)
http://www.alltel.net/~bsundquist1/og6.html#BM6Chttp://www.gps.caltech.edu/~arid/desert/desert.
html
24. The extension of the desert into another ecological system such as into tropical grasslands.
http://www.kgv.edu.hk/eden/glossary.php
25. The land degradation in arid and semi-arid areas, caused by climatic changes and human impact.
United Nations Environment and Development Conference, Rio de Janeiro in 1992 (Görcelio?lu,
1992). In this definition it was emphasised that, desertification was not the only the problem of arid
zones but also semi-arid zones. http://www.toprak.org.tr/isd/isd_53.htm
26. The man-made or natural formation of desert from usable land.
http://www.casde.unl.edu/vn/glossary/earth_d.htm#desertification and http://asd-
www.larc.nasa.gov/asd_over/glossary/d.html and
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov:81/Library/glossary.php3?mode=alpha&seg=d
14
27. The process by which an area or region becomes more and through loss of soil and vegetative
cover. The process is often accelerated by excessive continuous overstocking and drought.
http://www.roseworthy.adelaide.edu.au/~icooper/glossary/d.htm
28. The process by which lands not formerly deserts become deserts, because of changes in
temperature and rainfallhttp://www.solutions-site.org/reference/glossary.htm
29. The process by which once productive land is turned into a desert by processes such as
overstocking or removal of protective vegetation.http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/soe/95/28.htm
30. The process caused by continuous overuse of the land resulting in interrupted ecological systems
and causing desert like conditions in areas that do not have desert climates.
http://www.cnr.uidaho.edu/range456/hot-topics/range-terms.htm
31. The process of a non-desert ecosystem taking on the characteristics of a desert (arid, seemingly
barren) as a result of land mismanagement or climate
change.http://www.pbs.org/earthonedge/glossary.html
32. The process of becoming arid land or desert (as from land mismanagement or climate
change).http://sol.crest.org/renewables/SJ/glossary/D.html
33. The process of becoming desert either from inappropriate land management or climate change;
http://www.africanculturalcenter.org/10_0glossary.html#E
34. The process of desert spread. http://www.learn.co.uk/default.asp?WCI=Unit&WCU=7568
35. The process of impoverishment and deterioration of terrestrial ecosystems under the impact of
man that can be measured by reduced productivity of desirable plants, undesirable alterations in
biomass and diversity of micro- and macro-fauna and flora, accelerated soil erosion, and
increased hazards for human occupancy (78D1)
http://www.alltel.net/~bsundquist1/og6.html#BM6C
36. The process of land degradation which leads to a drastic reduction of land productivity. Land is
rendered unsuitable for any productive activity. It is prevalent in arid and semi-arid areas. Its
causes are both natural (dry climate, low rainfall, water shortage) as well as anthropogenic
(overgrazing, deforestation, fires, intensive
cultivation).http://www.rri.wvu.edu/WebBook/Briassoulis/glossaryterms.htm
37. The process of removal of the soil from a region so that precipitation quickly evaporates or runs
into underground aquifers, giving the region the appearance and characteristics of a desert, even
though precipitation levels would suggest a non-desert; the creation of a "well-rained-upon
desert".~ Comments:~ This term became common with the 9/77 Conference on Desertification in
Nairobi, Kenya. http://www.alltel.net/~bsundquist1/og6.html#BM6C
38. The process through which a desert takes over a formerly non-desert area. When a region begins
to undergo desertification, the new conditions typically include a significantly lowered water table,
a reduced supply of surface water, increased salinity in natural waters and soils, progressive
destruction of native vegetation, and an accelerated rate of
erosion.http://www.iversonsoftware.com/geology/d/desertification.htm
39. The process through which once usable land is turned into desert because of overgrazing, harmful
agricultural practices, or deforestation
http://cwabacon.pearsoned.com/bookbind/pubbooks/social_ab/chapter4/custom1/deluxe-
content.html#desertification
40. The progressive destruction or degradation of existing vegetative cover to form desert.
http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/glossary.htm#d
andhttp://www.ciel.org/Publications/climatechangeglossary.pdf
41. The progressive destruction or degradation of existing vegetative cover to form desert. This can
occur due to overgrazing, deforestation, drought and the burning of extensive areas. Once
formed, desert can only support a sparse range of vegetation. Climatic effects associated with this
phenomenon include increased albedo, reduced atmospheric humidity and greater atmospheric
15
dust loading, which can cause wind erosion and/or atmospheric
pollution.http://www.ccasia.teri.res.in/gloss/glossary.htm
42. The reduction or spatial reorganization of net primary production in arid and semi-arid lands.
http://www.evsc.virginia.edu/~desert/desert/desert.html
43. The spread of deserts. http://mac01.eps.pitt.edu/harbbook/other/Glossary.html
44. The spread or encroachment of a desert environment into arid or semiarid regions, caused by
climatic changes, human influence, or both. http://www.britannica.com/eb/article?
eu=30548&tocid=0
45. The transformation of nondesert ecosystems to desert-like conditions with less vegetation, less
organic matter in the soil, more rapid drying of the soil, and more wind and water erosion.
Desertification typically is caused by overgrazing and improper crop culture.
http://www.nativehabitat.org/definitions.html
46. The transformation of once-productive arid and semi-arid areas into deserts through prolonged
drought or continued mismanagement of land and water resources.http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/cfs-
scf/science/prodserv/glossary_e.html#23 and http://www.fnfp.gc.ca/rep99/gloss-e.htm
47. When an area begins to develop desert-like conditions due to lack of water, deforestation,
overgrazing and over cropping. http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/climate/sercc/education/glossary/#d
Diminished Forest Land
Area and percent of forest land with diminished biological components indicative of changes in
fundamental ecological processes (e.g. soil, nutrient cycling, seed dispersion, pollination)
http://www.hq.nasa.gov/iwgsdi/SDI_Org_USDA.html
Disturbed Forest
Any forest type that has in its interior significant areas of disturbance by people, including clearing,
felling for wood extraction, anthropogenic fires, road construction, etc.
http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/deforest/deforest.html
Dominant Forest
(Core forest) surrounded by at least 60% forest http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol9/iss2/art13/
Edge Forest
1. Edge forest includes interior boundaries with relatively large perforations as well as the exterior
boundaries of core forest regions.
http://www.springerlink.com/content/j1un144n10086417/fulltext.pdf
2. Edge width -The edge width indicates the distance within which other land covers (i.e. developed
land) can degrade the forest. Based on available national research, we (Connecticut) used an
edge width of 300 feet. http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/forestry/ct_forest_roundtable_report.pdf
3. Forested area found within the first 100 m (~300 ft) into the forest from any disturbance (i.e.,
agricultural row crop or pasture, suburban or urban development, and roads) https://www.e-
education.psu.edu/geog587/l1_p9.html
4. The first 100 m of forest into the forest from a disturbed land cover such as agriculture,
suburban/urban areas, and roads. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wlhabitat/forest/forest_quality.aspx
5. The outer portion of forest.
http://www.in.gov/indot/div/projects/us31/study/Documents/FEIS/US31_FEIS_Chapter04_09.pdf
Exotic Forest
Exotic: 1 : introduced from another country : not native to the place where found (http://www.m-
w.com/dictionary)
Very few organisms developed in place - they migrated from another area. Trees ranges expanded
due to wind, water and animals (including humans).
Forest Fragmentation
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1. "Forest Fragmentation" is what happens when large contiguous patches of forests are
fragmented, or split up, into several smaller patches. These remaining patches are separated by
what is defined here as the "matrix" which is just anything other than mature forest and may
inlcude clear cuts, development or young plantation forests.
http://www.environmentalsciences.homestead.com/aboutfragmentation.html
2. (Habitat) – The break-up of a large land area (such as a forest) into smaller patches isolated
by areas converted to a different land type. The opposite of connectivity (12).
http://www.fs.fed.us/hellscanyon/about_us/planning/cmp/00_feis/10_glossary.pdf
3. (CBD/SBSTTA 2001) - Any process that result in the conversion of formerly continuous forest
into patches of forest separated by non-forested lands.
http://unfccc.int/files/methods_and_science/lulucf/application/pdf/060830_killmann.pdf
4. A break up of a continuous landscape containing large patches into smaller, usually more
numerous and less-connected patches. http://ndis.nrel.colostate.edu/davet/pubs%5Cfragtools.htm
5. A detaching or separation of expansive tracts into spatially segmented corridors or fragments.
http://www.studentcentral.co.uk/coursework/University_Essays/Geography/
6. A forest condition where human disturbance is distributed in such a fashion as to separate
habitats into unnaturally small or extremely dispersed pieces.
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/temagami/SECTION5.html
7. A formerly continuous forest that has been broken up into smaller pieces.
http://www.epa.gov/ceisweb1/ceishome/atlas/maiaatlas/forest_fragmentation.html
8. A term that refers to forest landscapes that are broken and not continuous.
http://www.wildlandsprojectrevealed.org/htm/glossary.htm#concepts
9. Any process that results in the conversion of formerly continuous forest into patches of forest
separated by non-forested lands. http://www.biodiv.org/programmes/areas/forest/definitions.asp
10. Breaking up a specific habitat into smaller unconnected areas. A habitat area that is too small
may not provide enough space to maintain a breeding population of the species.
http://www.anr.state.vt.us/champ/atlas/html/glossary.htm#h
11. Breaking up large areas of continuous natural habitat into smaller patches of natural habitat
isolated from each other by human-altered habitat.
http://www.northern.edu/natsource/BIRDS/Conser1.htm
12. Breaking up of contiguous areas into progressively smaller patches of increasing degrees of
isolation from each other. http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/cnnf/natres/plan/glossary.html#[%20F%20]
13. Creating smaller areas of habitat from a large continuous habitat tract, such as removing a
block of trees from a forested area. The road built through the prairie resulted in fragmentation of
the habitat. http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/chf/pub/virtualbird/glossary.html
14. Cutting swaths and patches out of the forest. http://www.epa.gov/maia/html/lessons.html
15. Division of a large forested area into smaller patches separated by areas converted to a
different land use. http://www.state.vt.us/anr/fpr/forestry/ucf/glossary.htm
16. Division of a large land area (e.g., forest) into smaller patches isolated by areas converted to a
different land type. http://www.cpp.usmc.mil/base/environmental/inrmp/0_glossary.PDF
17. Forest landscapes that are broken and not continuous.
http://www.wildlandsprojectrevealed.org/htm/glossary.htm
18. Fragmentation of forest types http://www.hq.nasa.gov/iwgsdi/ISS_SDI_Biodiversity.html
19. Islands of forest habitat that persist on the land when the intervening forest has been removed.
http://depts.clemson.edu/extfor/publications/fortp19/definitions.htm
20. Occurs when a large area of a particular habitat is broken up into smaller patches (fragments)
by human activities. http://www.mered.org.uk/saraweb/refs/glossary.htm
21. Occurs when large continuous forest patches are converted into one or more smaller patches
surrounded by naturally disturbed or developed areas.
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/Planning/RPGLOSS/F.htm
17
22. Patchwork conversion and development of forest sites (usually the most accessible or most
productive ones) that leave the remaining forest in stands of varying sizes and degrees of isolation
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/literatr/avian/avian.htm#f
23. Process of changing a large forested area into an area of forest patches
http://www.dsisd.k12.mi.us/mff/Environment/EcologyForests.htm
24. Process of reducing size and connectivity of stands that comprise a forest, eventually isolating
forest stands; the creation of habitat islands through harvest, land development or through natural
causes such as fire. http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/sixrivers/publications/feis/appedix/g.pdf
25. Subdivision of a forest (or other habitat) into isolated patches, reducing the size and
connectivity of stands that compose a forest or landscape.
http://fscus.org/html/about_fsc/who_we_are/glossary_of_terms.html#f
26. The breaking up of a habitat, ecosystem or land-use type into smaller, often isolated, parcels,
thereby reducing the number of species that the habitat, ecosystem or land-use type can support.
http://www.theebi.org/pdfs/glossary.pdf
27. The breaking up of an organism's habitat into discontinuous chunks, particularly for organisms
that have difficulty moving from one of those chunks to another. Fragmentation can be caused by
removal of vegetation over large areas for human development, or even by small roads breaking
up the habitat of (for example) amphibians that are resistant to crossing roads or are frequently
killed when crossing roads. Power lines can fragment sage grouse habitat by providing convenient
perches for predators such as hawks and ravens.
http://www.state.nv.us/nvnhp/ecology/glossary.htm
28. The breaking up of extensive landscape features into disjunct, isolated, or semi-isolated
patches as a result of land-use changes http://bch-
cbd.naturalsciences.be/belgium/glossary/glos_f.htm
29. The breaking up of habitat into discrete islands through modification or conversion of habitat by
management activities. http://www.streamnet.org/pub-ed/ff/Glossary/glossaryhabitat.html
30. The breaking up of large forested tracts into smaller and smaller pieces.
http://clear.uconn.edu/publications/forestfrag_summary.pdf
31. The breaking up of large habitats into smaller, isolated chunks.
http://www.internet.ve/wildlife/glosario.htm and
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/wildworld/glossary.html
32. The breaking up of something into small, separated pieces.
http://www.museum.state.il.us/muslink/forest/htmls/con_frag.html
33. The breaking up of the forest into isolated patches through agriculture and urban development.
http://www.unbf.ca/forestry/centers/cwru/soe/gloss.htm
34. The break-up of a large land area (such as a forest) into smaller patches isolated by areas
converted to a different land type. The opposite of connectivity.
http://roadless.fs.fed.us/documents/feis/glossary.shtml
35. The break-up of continuous habitat by roads, development, or other physical or biological
barriers. http://www.nps.gov/olym/edgloss.htm
36. The break-up of extensive habitats into small, isolated patches that are too limited to maintain
their species stocks into the indefinite future. http://www.ameteam.ca/glossary.html
37. The carving into parcels or “fragments” of a natural landscape due to such things as cutlines,
roads, and other types of clearings. This disturbance is thought to be a major threat to biodiversity
because of the creation of barriers to species movement as well as edge effects.
http://www.alpac.ca/Forest_Management/image/dfmp%20glossary.pdf
38. The change in the forest landscape, from extensive and continuous forests of old-growth to
mosaic of younger stand conditions. http://www.streamnet.org/pub-
ed/ff/Glossary/glossaryforest.html
18
39. The disintegration, collapse, or breakdown of the norms.
http://www.chias.org/www/edu/cse/owpglo.html
40. The disruption of extensive habitats into isolated and small patches. Fragmentation has two
negative components of biota: loss of total habitat area, and smaller, more isolated remaining
habitat patches. https://osiris.cso.uiuc.edu/denix/Public/ES-
Programs/Conservation/Biodiversity/glossary.html and https://www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public/ES-
Programs/Conservation/Biodiversity/glossary.html
41. The division of a continuous block of forest or other wildlife habitat into disconnected units as a
result of human or natural disturbances. http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/cfs/proj/ppiab/ci/gloss_e.html
42. The insularization of habitat on a landscape.
http://www.srs.fs.fed.us/sustain/report/terra1/terra1-10.htm
43. The phenomenon of large forested landscapes being broken into separate ownerships and
often developed. http://www.forestsystems.com/glossary/glossary.htm
44. The process of reducing size and connectivity of stands that compose a forest.
http://www.streamnet.org/pub-ed/ff/Glossary/glossaryforest.html
45. The process of spatial segregation among entities that need to be together in order to function
optimally
http://themes.eea.eu.int/Sectors_and_activities/transport/indicators/consequences/fragmentation/
Fragmentation_TERM_2001.doc.pdf
46. The process of transforming large continuous forest patches into one or more smaller patches
surrounded by disturbed areas. This occurs naturally through such agents as fire, landslides,
windthrow and insect attack. In managed forests timber harvesting and related activities have
been the dominant disturbance agents. http://www.borealforest.org/nwgloss4.htm and
http://typhoon.sdsu.edu/nasa_lcluc/forest.html
47. The process whereby a large patch of habitat is broken down into many smaller patches of
habitat, resulting in a loss in the amount and quality of habitat.
http://chesapeake.towson.edu/landscape/forestfrag/glossary.asp
48. The segmentation of a large tract or continuous tracts of forest to smaller patches often
isolated from each other by nonforest habitat. Results from the collective impact of residential and
commercial development, highway, and utility construction, and other piecemeal land use changes
http://www.pfmt.org/glossary/f.htm
49. The spatial arrangement of successional stages across the landscape as the result of
disturbance; often used to refer specifically to the process of reducing the size and connectivity of
late successional or old-growth forests. http://www.lwvwa.org/forest_study/dynamic/glossary.htm
50. The splitting of forestlands into smaller, detached areas as a result of road building, farming,
suburban development, and other activities. http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/ssfor11.htm
51. The subdivision of large natural landscapes into smaller, more isolated fragments.
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/gloss.html
52. The result of broad scale clearing of native vegetation and the small parts of that vegetation
that remain often only as isolated patches.
http://audit.ea.gov.au/ANRA/vegetation/docs/Native_vegetation/nat_veg_glossary.cfm
Frontier Forest:
1. Frontier: a region that forms the margin of settled or developed territory b : the farthermost limits of
knowledge or achievement in a particular subject c : a line of division between different or
opposed things (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
2. (Chile 2002) Frontier forests in Chile are defined as mature forests or dense timberline forests, of
at least 5,000 hectares, that are made up of native species, and are intact or have been only
slightly altered. http://pdf.wri.org/gfw_chile_full.pdf
19
3. Large, ecologically intact, and relatively undisturbed forests that support the natural range of
species and forest functions (WRI definition).
http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/deforest/deforest.html The
world's remaining large intact natural forest ecosystems. These forests are -- on the whole --
relatively undisturbed and big enough to maintain all of their biodiversity, including viable
populations of the wide-ranging species associated with each forest type. As defined in this
assessment, a frontier forest must meet seven criteria (http://www.wri.org/ffi/lff-eng/):
•It is primarily forested.
•It is big enough to support viable populations of all indigenous species associated with that
forest type -- measured by the forest's ability to support wide-ranging animal species (such as
elephants, harpy eagles, or brown bears).
•It is large enough to keep these species' populations viable even in the face of the natural
disasters -- such as hurricanes, fires, and pest or disease outbreaks -- that might occur there in
a century.
•Its structure and composition are determined mainly by natural events, though limited human
disturbance by traditional activities of the sort that have shaped forests for thousands of years
-- such as low-density shifting cultivation -- is acceptable. As such, it remains relatively
unmanaged by humans, and natural
•disturbances (such as fire) are permitted to shape much of the forest.
•In forests where patches of trees of different ages would naturally occur, the landscape
exhibits this type of heterogeneity.
•It is dominated by indigenous tree species.
•It is home to most, if not all, of the other plant and animal species that typically live in this type
of forest.
High Value Forests
1. High Conservation Value Forests (HCVF) - the concept of High Conservation Value Forests was
developed by the Forest Stewardship Council in 1999, which treats the identification of HCVFs as
one of the key conditions of principles and criteria for sustainable forest management (Principle 9
of FSC Principles and Criteria). The FSC’s definition of HCVs encompasses exceptional or critical
ecological attributes, ecosystem services and social functions as follows: • HCV1 Forest areas
containing globally, regionally or nationally significant concentrations of biodiversity values (e.g.
endemism, endangered species, refugia).• HCV2 Forest areas containing globally, regionally or
nationally significant large landscape level forests, contained within,or containing the management
unit, where viable populations of most if not all naturally occurring species exist in natural patterns
of distribution and abundance.• HCV3 Forest areas that are in or contain rare, threatened or
endangered ecosystems.• HCV4 Forest areas that provide basic services of nature in critical
situations (e.g. watershed protection, erosion control). • HCV5 Forest areas fundamental to
meeting basic needs of local communities (e.g. subsistence, health). • HCV6 Forest areas critical
to local communities’ traditional cultural identity (areas of cultural, ecological, economic or
religious significance identified in cooperation with such local communities).
http://www.hcvnetwork.org/resources/assessments/BPFM_report_E_book_part1.pdf
2. High Conservation Value Forests, (2003) Those areas of forest that need to be appropriately
managed in order to maintain or enhance the identified High Conservation Values.
http://www.proforest.net/objects/publications/HCVF/hcvf-toolkit-part-1-final-updated.pdf
3. High Conservation Value forests were defined as “forests of outstanding and critical importance
due to their high environmental, socio-economic, biodiversity or landscape values”.
http://www.hcvnetwork.org/resources/assessments/BRFM%20report_English_low
%20resolution.pdf
20
4. High Nature Value Forests (HNV Forests), defined in the Guidance Document to Member States
(IEEP et al., 2007), are all natural forests and those semi-natural forests in Europe where the
management (historical or present) supports a high diversity of native species and habitats, and/or
those forests which support the presence of species of European, and/or national, and/ or regional
conservation concern. For HNV forests member states need to classify them into three main
categories: naturally dynamic, semi-natural and plantations.
http://www.hcvnetwork.org/resources/assessments/BRFM%20report_English_low
%20resolution.pdf
Human -induced forest:
1. Human: a bipedal primate mammal (Homo sapiens) (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
2. Induce: to call forth or bring about by influence or stimulation. (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
3. If humans are products of nature like all other beings, are then human actions natural actions?
Indigenous forest (See also Native)
1. Indigenous - having originated in and being produced, growing, living, or occurring naturally in a
particular region or environment (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
2. A forest predominantly composed of naturally occurring woody plants native to New Zealand.
Note: This definition is from the Glossary, page 15 of Indigenous Forest Policy (New Zealand
Institute of Forestry, July 1998). It has been accepted as a result of a consultative process
amongst members of the New Zealand Institute of Forestry.
3. Indigenous (Native) Forest - A forest that occurs naturally, containing a diversity of native and
endemic tree species which seed, grow, mature and die within the natural cycle. Indigenous
(Native) forests. http://www.forestenterprises.co.nz/cfi/investmentstructure.htm
See note at end of exotic.
Interior Forest
(Core forest) surrounded by a window containing at least 90% forest, and
http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol9/iss2/art13/
Late-Successional Forest:
Forest seral stages which include mature and old-growth age classes. The structure and composition
of late-successional and old-growth forest ecosystems have been detailed in numerous
publications. Kathy_Jope@nps.gov (Kathy Jope)
Man-Made Forest:
1. Man-made: manufactured, created, or constructed by human beings; (http://www.m-
w.com/dictionary)
2. (Iran) A forest which is established by the cultivation of seeds or seedlings in a forest land or non-
forest land for the purpose of establishing a forest. "M.Zobeiri" zobeiri@nrf.ut.ac.ir
3. (Vietnam) Man- made forests comprise those established through funding by the Government or
non-Governmental entities such as social organisations and voluntary individuals on forest lands.
http://coombs.anu.edu.au/~vern/luat/english/CoM-17HDBT-forest-pro.txt Hanoi, January 17th
1992
Managed Forest
1. Managed - 1 : to handle or direct with a degree of skill: as a : to make and keep compliant <can't
manage her child b : to treat with care : HUSBAND <managed his resources carefully c : to
exercise executive, administrative, and supervisory direction of <manage a business <manage a
bond issue 2 : to work upon or try to alter for a purpose <manage stress 3 : to succeed in
21
accomplishing : CONTRIVE <managed to escape from prison 4 : to direct the professional career
of <an agency that manages entertainers intransitive senses 1 a : to direct or carry on business or
affairs; also : to direct a baseball team b : to admit of being carried on 2 : to achieve one's purpose
(http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
2. (EU) Managed forests and other wooded land can be defined as areas managed in accordance
with a formal or an informal plan applied regularly over a sufficiently long period (five years or
more). http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/analysis/external/supply-wood/full_text_en.pdf
3. A decision to protect or not do something with a stand of trees is a management decision. Thus all
forests are managed to one degree or another.
4. Managed forest is defined as wood that has been certified to a system formally recognized by the
Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and/or the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification
schemes (PEFC). http://www.icfpa.org/_documents/publications/ICFPA%20update
%202011%20final.pdf
Mature Stand, Forest:
1. Mature: 2 a (1) : having completed natural growth and development : RIPE (2) : having undergone
maturation b : having attained a final or desired state <mature wine c : having achieved a low but
stable growth rate <paper is a mature industry 3 a : of or relating to a condition of full development
b : characteristic of or suitable to a mature individual <mature outlook (http://www.m-
w.com/dictionary)
2. A mappable stand of trees for which the annual net rate of growth has peaked. Stands are
generally greater than 80-100 years old and less than 180-200 years old. Stand age, diameter of
dominant trees, and stand structure at maturity varies by forest cover types and local site
conditions. Mature stands generally contain trees with a smaller average diameter, less age class
variation, and less structural complexity than old-growth stands of the same forest type. From:
Kathy_Jope@nps.gov (Kathy Jope)
3. A loose term for the stage at which most forest components have attained full development,
particularly in height and seed production.
http://depts.clemson.edu/extfor/publications/fortp19/definitions.htm
4. Generally a conifer stand that has reached culmination of mean annual increment, with an
average diameter at breast height of at least 21 inches and exhibiting a low degree of decadence;
stands are both even-aged and uneven-aged in structure, with varying degrees of understory
development, and large diameter snags and down material are present.
http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/sixrivers/publications/feis/appedix/g.pdf
Modified Forest
MODIFIED FOREST (part syn. logged-over forest, manipulated forest) The forest cover has been
retained but has been affected by uncontrolled timber exploitation or controlled timber harvesting
(creaming, selective logging, selection-silvicultural and other systems), or by such intensity of
harvesting of non-timber products (tapping of latex, collecting of cane, fruits etc. including
elimination, reduction or introduction of tree and other useful species) that its structure, functions
and dynamics are noticeably altered beyond the normal effects of natural processes.
http://www.itto.or.jp/policy/pds4/page5.html
Native Forest: (See also Indigenous)
1. Native - : NATURAL, NORMAL 6 a : grown, produced, or originating in a particular place or in the
vicinity : LOCAL b : living or growing naturally in a particular region : (http://www.m-
w.com/dictionary)
2. Native - A plant or animal originating, growing, or produced in a certain place; Indigenous as
opposed to exotic.
http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/wildlife/Landowners_Guide/Introduction/Glossary.htm
22
3. Native (species) A species that has arrived and inhabited an area naturally, without deliberate
assistance by man, or would occur had it not been removed through past management. For trees
and shrubs in the UK usually taken to mean those present after post-glacial recolonisation and
before historic times. Some species are only native in particular regions. Differences in
characteristics and adaptation to conditions occur more locally - hence 'locally native'.
http://www.fsc-uk.demon.co.uk/Appendices.html and Forestry Commission (1998).
4. (Australia) Native forests can be broadly classified according to their crown cover as: woodland
(tree crowns cover 20-50 per cent of the land when viewed from above); open forest (51-80 per
cent crown cover); and closed forest (81-100 per cent crown cover).
http://www.nafi.com.au/faq/statistics.html
5. (Chile 2016) Native Forest:“ forest composed of indigenous species deriving from natural
production, natural reproduction, or planted under the same canopy with the same species in the
area of original distribution, which can exhibit the presence of randomly distributed introduced
species.” Forest Law 20.283 22 http://redd.unfccc.int/files/2016_submission_frel_chile_english.pdf
6. (Native vegetation) Any local indigenous plant community containing throughout its growth the
complement of native species and habitats normally associated with that vegetation type or having
the potential to develop these characteristics. It includes vegetation with these characteristics that
has been regenerated with human assistance following disturbance. It excludes plantations and
vegetation that has been established for commercial purposes.
http://www.environment.gov.au/portfolio/esd/biodiv/strategy/gloss.html
7. (UK) Native Tree - Trees that colonised the British Isles after the last ice age and before they were
cut off from the rest of Europe by the rising sea levels. Includes the island of Ireland as well as
Britain. http://www.u-net.com/trees/p4.htm
8. (UK) Native woodlands - woods mainly or entirely of locally native species. Forestry Commission
1998.
9. (USA-STATE-Hawaii 1993) “Forest “Native forest” means a forest containing a range of plant
species which are endemic or indigenous to Hawaii and represents natural plant communities
appropriate to the area. http://www.state.hi.us/dlnr/dofaw/rules/Chap106.pdf
10. Any local indigenous community the dominant species of which are trees - see Forest - and
containing throughout its growth the complement of native species and habitats normally
associated with that forest type or having the potential to develop these characteristics. It includes
forests with these characteristics that have been regenerated with human assistance following
disturbance. It excludes plantations of native species and previously logged native forest that has
been regenerated with non- endemic native species. http://www.rfa.gov.au/nfps/gloss.html
11. Any local indigenous community, the dominant species of which are trees and containing
throughout its growth the complement of native species and habitats normally associated with that
forest type or having the potential to develop these characteristics. It excludes plantations of
native species and previously logged native forest. http://www.glenelg-
hopkins.vic.gov.au/catchmentprofile/glossary.asp
12. Any locally indigenous forest community containing the full complement of native species and
habitats normally associated with that community, or having the potential to develop these
characteristics. http://www.rfa.gov.au/dfa/other_info/glossary.html
13. Forests containing a community of indigenous species in varying degrees if succession, and
various states of health: including trees, fungi, flowers, insects, understory plants and a host of
wildlife. Native forests should be self sustaining by maintaining biological diversity, ecosystem
resiliency, and ecological processes. A plantation is not a native forest. Plantations or tree farms
vary in their ability to regenerate native forest ecosystems and are established to meet human
demands.(Paraphrased from http://www.nfn.org.au/about.htm#def
23
14. Forests containing indigenous species in varying degrees if succession, and various states of
health. Native forests should be self sustaining by maintaining biological diversity, ecosystem
resiliency, and ecological processes. http://www.nfn.org.au/about.htm#def
15. Indigenous forest types. http://www.schools.wafa.org.au/terms.htm
16. Native forests are what most of this country still has. Yes plantations are not native forests, but
they use native trees, so they should get some points. "Ron Muir" muir@forestry.auburn.edu
Natural Forest or Woodland:
1. (Denmark 1994) Natural forest originates from the original forest cover, i.e. a forest reproduced
naturally. Natural forest is thus a forest which has spontaneously generated itself on the location
and which consists of naturally immigrant tree species and strains. Natural forests can be more or
less influenced by culture, e.g. by logging or regeneration techniques, but the forests must not
have been subject to regeneration by sowing or planting. (The National Forest and Nature Agency
(Skov- og Naturstyrelsen) 1994), http://www.geus.dk/departments/quaternary-marine-
geol/research-themes/env-cli-res-gr-forest-def-uk.htm
2. (Egypt 2003) Natural forests are those where most of the principal characteristics and key
elements of the native ecosystems, such as complexity, structure and diversity are present.
http://www.egyptchm.org/chm/implementation/pdf/arid_lands.pdf
3. (EU) Forests composed of tree species indigenous to the area
http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg08/forests/en/en4_6.htm
4. (Fiji 2009) closed natural forest (which it defined as natural forest with crown cover by trees
and/or ferns of 40–100% and ground cover of palms and/or bamboo of over 20%)
http://www.itto.int/direct/topics/topics_pdf_download/topics_id=2648&no=1&disp=inline
5. (Iran) It is substantiated naturally, without mans' interference. "M.Zobeiri" zobeiri@nrf.ut.ac.ir
6. (Nicaragua) - Draft - Bosque Natural. Agrupamiento vegetal con predominio de especies arbóreas
conocidas como autóctonas de la zona, asociadas generalmente a una fauna silvestre y
condiciones de suelos naturales con ninguna o escasa intervención humana
www.nicarao.org.ni/ja (see Borrador de la ley, CAPITULO II DEFINICIONES) Harrie
<harnic@ibw.com.ni>
7. (Uganda 2008) Forest areas where most of the principle characteristics and key elements of
native ecosystems such as complexity, structure and diversity are present (Sophie Higman, et al
2002) http://www.envalert.org/docs/Inventoryofcriticalissuesinforestry.pdf
8. (UK) Natural and semi-natural land - Land which is not being cultivated or grazed and which has
never been used for development, including scree, cliff, dunes, marsh and beach and land
reclaimed from the sea or estuaries which has not yet been grazed or developed. This category
includes such land used for recreation. http://www.planning.detr.gov.uk/luc15/annex_b.htm
9. (UN FAO 2000) Natural forests are forests composed of indigenous trees, not planted by man. Or
in other words forests excluding plantations. (UN/ECE-FAO 1997, FAO 1998).
10. (UN FAO 2005, IPCC 2006) - A forest composed of indigenous trees.
http://unfccc.int/files/methods_and_science/lulucf/application/pdf/060830_killmann.pdf
11. (Vietnam) Natural forests comprise all timberlands and bamboo groves of all ages, not excluding
young regrowth under rehabilitation. http://coombs.anu.edu.au/~vern/luat/english/CoM-17HDBT-
forest-pro.txt Hanoi, January 17th 1992
12. (World Bank 2000) Forests composed of tree species known to be indigenous to the area.
http://www.holz.uni-goettingen.de/ek/woodsat/pdf/worldbankforestry.pdf
13. (WRI) Natural forests are those where most of the principal characteristics and key elements of
the native ecosystems, such as complexity, structure and diversity are present.
http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/for_cou_188.pdf
14. A forest composed primarily of naturally established indigenous species (by opposition to
plantation) http://www.biodiv.org/Forests/Glossary.html
24
15. A forest ecosystem with most of the principal characteristics and key elements of native
ecosystems such as complexity, structure and diversity. Natural forests lack the abundance of
mature trees and freedom from human disturbance that characterize primary forests.
http://www.fscstandards.org/regions/southeast/glossary.html
16. A forest or forest remnant comprising indigenous species of plants (i.e., plant species which are
native to a specified area or region in the country). The forest may include naturalised species
(i.e., exotic species introduced into or naturally colonised in a region so as to appear native or
wild), provided they are not sufficiently abundant or physiognomically dominant so as to alter the
general character of the original forest. Natural forest includes unaltered virgin upland and lowland
indigenous forest, indigenous forest which has been slightly or significantly modified by human
activity but which retains part or most of the general composition or character of the original forest,
or indigenous forest which is being managed or exploited primarily for the commercial production
of wood. From: New Zealand Forestry Statistics 1997 (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry,
Wellington, 1998)
17. A forest that has evolved and reproduced itself naturally from organisms previously established,
and that has not been significantly altered by human activity. A natural forest may include, but is
not equivalent to, an "old-growth forest" http://www.forestry.utoronto.ca/ac_staff/emeritus/My
%20Webs/english.htm
18. A stand of trees resulting from natural seed fall or sprouting.
http://msucares.com/pubs/pub1250.htm
19. A woodland comprising trees that have not been planted by humans, and where no human
interference has occurred (Allaby 1994). Helene M Cleveland CCMAIL
<hmclevel@aec.apgea.army.mil
20. An area with an existing stand of naturally grown trees of dipterocarp, premium, and other
classified commercial species, as well as other naturally associated forest flora and fauna
http://www.bwf.org/laws/DAO_97-04.html
21. An ecosystem with a hyperbolic distribution of age classes of trees, including a minimum of 10%
mature
treeshttp://fscus.org/html/standards_policies/us_regional_standards/archives/ozark_ouachita4.htm
l
22. Ecosystems dominated by trees or shrubs in an original or nearly original fashion through natural
generation. This definition includes mangroves. http://www.af.nfr.no/andre-doc/alternativ-
agenda/Forests.html,http://nativenet.uthscsa.edu/archive/nl/9208/0081.html and
http://www.igc.org/habitat/treaties/at-27.htm
23. Floresta Natural - Formação florestal composta por espécies de ocorrência típica de determinada
região, cuja composição obedeça às características próprias da sucessão vegetal.
http://www.suzano.com.br/docs/recursos/maneucal/glossar.html
24. Forest area(s) being managed to protect, maintain, or restore natural composition, structures, and
functioning. http://www.silvafor.org/ecocert/sffstandardsforbc.pdf
25. Forest areas where most of the principal characteristics and key elements of native ecosystems
such as complexity, structure and diversity are present as defined by FSC-approved national and
regional standards of forest management. http://www.canadian-forests.com/fsc-glossary.html and
FSC glossary, printed in the Principles and Criteria document and
http://forests.org/ric/good_wood/glossary.htm#anchor975359
26. Forest areas, including primary forest, where most or all of the principal characteristics and key
elements of native ecosystems, such as complexity, structure, and diversity, are present given the
physical parameters of climate, geology, hydrology and successional patterns.
http://www.canadian-forests.com/fsc-glossary.html and additional FSC terms proposed in the
December, 1996 FSC newsletter.
25
27. Forest composed of indigenous tree species that is considered undisturbed by human influence.
https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/i490a/teaching/M4901-
430/ws_03_04/reading_materials/New_Neef_Schwarzmeier_Studie.pdf
28. Forest composed of indigenous tree species that is considered undisturbed by human influence
(also known as old-growth forest). http://www.peopleandplanet.net/section.php?
section=1&topic=8&PHPSESSID=1a9faae006a4efebfebe57431f0ca5ac
29. Natural - being in accordance with or determined by nature b : having or constituting a
classification based on features existing in nature (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
30. Natural Forest. A forest composed of primarily indigenous (native) tree species. Natural forest
includes closed forest and open forest. It encompasses all stands, except plantations, and include
stands that have been degraded to some degree by agriculture, fire, logging and other factors.
http://fiesta.bren.ucsb.edu/~idgec/publications/reports/forest.pdf
31. Natural forests are forests naturally grown but not planted, either virgin forests without any
human disturbance or secondary forests with natural generation. www.iges.or.jp/fc/ir99/4-10-
lu.pdf
32. Natural forests contain only the original patterns of biodiversity, the native species occurring in
established seral patterns. These formations and processes have not been impacted by humans
with a frequency or intensity to change established seral patterns. Ranil Senanayake
100232.3435@CompuServe.COM
33. Natural regeneration - The natural establishment of trees and other vegetation with at least 400
woody, free-to-grow seedlings per acre, which are capable of reaching a height of at least 20 feet
at maturity. http://pilot.wash.lib.md.us/washco/forestcn.html
34. Nature - the inherent character or basic constitution of a person or thing : ESSENCE b :
DISPOSITION, TEMPERAMENT . 2 a : a creative and controlling force in the universe b : an inner
force or the sum of such forces in an individual. 3 : a kind or class usually distinguished by
fundamental or essential characteristics <documents of a confidential nature <acts of a
ceremonial nature 4 : the physical constitution or drives of an organism; especially : an excretory
organ or function -- used in phrases like the call of nature 5 : a spontaneous attitude (as of
generosity) 6 : the external world in its entirety (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
35. The total area of forest composed primarily of indigenous (native) tree species.
http://earthtrends.wri.org/searchable_db/variablenotes_static.cfm?varid=300&theme=9
See Exotic and Managed. If the stand is "managed" is it natural?
Normal Forest
1. (India) A normal forest is an ideal forest which serves as a standard with which to compare an
actual forest so as to bring out the latter’s deficiencies for sustained yield management. It is a
forest which for a given site or given object of management is ideally constructed as regards
growing stock, age class distribution and increment and from which the annual or periodic removal
of produce equal to the increment can be continued indefinitely without endangering future yields
(Mathur, 1968). http://www.rmportal.net/training/content/a-move-from-minor-to-major-competing-
discourses-of-non-timber-forest-products-in-india/at_download/file
Old Forest:
1. Old: dating from the remote past, advanced in years or age, showing the effects of time or use
(http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
2. Forested areas that look (have physical structure) and act (have ecological processes) as they
might have been in the absence of contemporary human activity (before the year 1850). Old
forests are characterized as having: (a) A significant number of trees that approach the biological
maximum age for the species present; (b) A complex horizontal and vertical structure, including
both live and dead vegetation, that has been shaped or maintained largely by natural disturbances
26
or their functional equivalents; (c) An array of plant and animal species that are endemic to the
particular region and location: and (d) Continuity in the above characteristics over large
geographic areas (hundreds or thousands of acres).
http://www.r5.pswfs.gov/hfqlg/EIS/Glossary.html
3. Forests more than 120 years old (Schmidt, Spencer, Hansen 1996).
4. Forests that have developed over one to many centuries without a major disturbance (Franklin
and Fites in their report on old growth forests in the Sierra Nevada (1996)) Source:
Beardsley_Debby/r6pnw_portland@fs.fed.us. Source: APPENDIX I - ISSUES FOR FURTHER
CLARIFICATION: EXPANDED DISCUSSIONS http://www.psw.fs.fed.us/sierra/appendix_1.html
5. Natural old forests represent climax or late succesion stages with slight human impact or without
any human impact. http://www.forest.ru/eng/old-growth/definitions.html
6. Old single-story forest refers to mature forest characterized by a single canopy layer consisting of
large or old trees. Understory trees are often absent, or present in randomly spaced patches. It
generally consists of widely spaced, shade-intolerant species, such as ponderosa pine and
western larch, adapted to a nonlethal, high frequency fire regime. (b) Old multi-story forest refers
to mature forest characterized by two or more canopy layers with generally large or old trees in
the upper canopy. Understory trees are also usually present, as a result of a lack of frequent
disturbance to the understory. It can include both shade-tolerant and shade-intolerant species,
and is generally adapted to a mixed fire regime of both lethal and nonlethal fires.
http://www.icbemp.gov/pdfs/deis/eastside/volume1/glossary.pdf
7. (BRUNEI-2002) “old forest” means forest that has never been clear-felled before and also
secondary forest ( belukar tua ) estimatedto be more than 50 years old. Brunei Legislation
http://www.commonlii.org/bn/legis/fa46fr309/
Old-Growth Forest:
1. Future old growth forest : Forests contiguous to old growth forests that (1) exhibits some but
not all old growth characteristics, (2) occurs in direct association with and as an integral part of an
old growth forest, and (3) has the capacity to protect old growth forest areas because of their
forest characteristics and location. http://www.massforesters.org/old.htm
2. (Australia-Tasmania) Forest that is ecologically mature forest where the effects of disturbances
are now negligible.
http://www.forestrytas.com.au/forestrytas/pdf_files/sustainable_forest_management/sfm_2003/glo
ssary.pdf and http://www.dpiw.tas.gov.au/inter.nsf/Attachments/LJEM-6K32GF/$FILE/Glossary,
%20Appendices,%20Index.pdf
3. (Australia-Victoria) Mountain and foothill eucalypt forest where the majority of the basal area is
made up of mature trees which are pre 1890s in origin and nominally 150 years or older. All Otway
old growth occurring in State forest is considered to have a history of partial clearing or selective
logging. http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/dse/nrenfor.nsf/FID/-
1AAD79FB9DE8156C4A25679A0012A998?OpenDocument
4. (Canada - BC) - Forests on the coast > 250 years old; and forests in the interior > 140 years
old for most tree species, and > 120 years old for lodgepole pine and deciduous species.
http://www.natareas.org/abstr18.htm
5. (Canada - BC) Forest that contains live and dead trees of various sizes, species composition
and age class structure that are part of a slowly changing but dynamic ecosystem. Old growth
forests include climax forests, but do not exclude sub-climax or even mid-seral forests. The age
and structure of old growth varies significantly by forest type and from one biogeoclimatic zone to
another. (Wells, et al. 1998)
6. (Canada) A stand dominated by mature or overmature trees that has not been significantly
influenced by human activity. The stand can contain various ages and species of vegetation.
http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/cfs/proj/sci-tech/arena/gloss_e.html#26
27
7. (Finland) A forest stand exceeding the regular cycle by 20 years. Lauri Karvonen 24.4.2000.
Guidelines for Landscape Ecological Planning.
8. (Foret ancienne, rodal maduro). A forest dominated by mature organisms that have originated
naturally from those endemic to the forest or its surrounds, in which the genetic, species and
structural diversity have not been significantly changed by human activity. Forestry Chronicle
70(6):669 1994.
9. (IUCN) - Forest that resulted from natural succession without human influence.
http://www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/actionplans/grouse/glossary.pdf
10. (NFPS) - Forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural
disturbance such as logging, roading and clearing. The definition focuses on forest in which the
upper stratum or overstorey is in the late mature to over mature growth phases.
http://www.ifa.unimelb.edu.au/issues/wa/oldgrowth.htm
11. (Philippines) Old Growth - forest predominantly stocked with mature trees with less than 25
percent of the mature stand volume removed by cutting.
http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ru12/DEFINE/DEF-ENV.HTM
12. (Primary, Original) Forests that have never been clear cut and that have little or no evidence of
past human activity. Such forests may have been grazed,...experienced limited exploitation of
valuable tree species, and their floors may have been burned by Amerindians and European
colonists (Duffy and Meier 1992).
13. (Russia) Old-growth forests are forests originated through natural successions and have not
experienced significant human impact over a long period of time. Under significant human impact
we understand: clearcutting or intensive selective logging; large scale human-induced fires;
intensive and regular application of chemicals such as pesticides, herbicide, fertilizers, etc.;
severe industrial pollution; forest reclamation; intensive recreation, etc. Under the long period of
time we understand the time, which exceeds the lifetime of the dominant tree species for a
particular forest type. http://www.forest.ru/eng/old-growth/index.html
14. (Timber) -Timber from a mature, naturally established forest (Georgia Forestry Commission).
15. (USA - USFS - Monongahela NF) - Stands with large, mature, or overmature trees comprising
a plurality of the stocking... usually having a multi-layered canopy in trees of various age classes...
includ[ing] dead trees and relatively large amounts of decaying material on the forest floor. USDA
FS Monongahela National Forest - West Virginia (1986) -
http://wvnvm.wvnet.edu/~rlanden/oldgrth.htm
16. (USA-Massachusetts) --: An area of contiguous forest that (1) shows no evidence of significant
human, post-European disturbance that originated on site, (2) has a significant component of
older trees that are greater than fifty percent of the maximum longevity for that particular species,
(3) is at least five acres in size, and (4) has the capacity for self-perpetuation, or (5) has the
characteristics of a forest which, when found in combination together, are indicative of an old
growth forest and which otherwise meets the criteria established by regulation by the Secretary.
http://www.massforesters.org/old.htm
17. (USA-Nevada) "Old growth" refers to stands of essentially undisturbed virgin timber on which
less than 25 percent of the volume has been removed by cutting, fire or other causes. Source:
NRS 528.019 http://www.leg.state.nv.us/web/99NRS/NRS-528.html
18. (USA-USFS) The USFS has developed Old-Growth definitions for each of the major forest
types found in the United States. These are available from the Regional Offices of the US Forest
Service. A generic definition is as follows: Ecosystems distinguished by old trees and related
structural attributes. Old growth encompasses the later stages of stand development that typically
differ from earlier stages in a variety of characteristics which may include tree size, accumulations
of large dead woody material, number of canopy layers, species composition, and ecosystem
function. Description - The age at which old-growth develops and the specific structural attributes
that characterize old growth will vary widely according to forest type, climate, site conditions, and
28
disturbance regime. For example, old-growth in fire-dependent forest types may not differ from
younger forests in the number of canopy layers or accumulation of down woody material.
However, old-growth is typically distinguished from younger growth by several of the following
attributes: 1) large trees for species and site, 2) wide variation in tree sizes and spacing, 3)
accumulations of large-size dead standing and fallen trees that are high relative to earlier stages,
4) decadence in the form of broken or deformed tops or bole and root decay, 5) multiple canopy
layers, and 6) canopy gaps and understory patchiness. Old-growth is not necessarily "virgin" or
"primeval." Old-growth could develop following human disturbances. USFS 1989.
19. (USA-Vermont) A forest stand in which natural processes and succession have occurred over
time undisturbed by human intervention http://www.state.vt.us/anr/fpr/forestry/ucf/glossary.htm
Vermont Forest Resource Plan
20. (Victorian forests) - Forest which contains significant amounts of its oldest growth stage in its
upper stratum and has been subjected to any disturbance, the effect of which is now negligible.
http://www.rfa.gov.au/documents/oldgrowth/oldgrow.html#E11E3 (Woodgate et al. (1994)).
21. A mature or overmature forest growth more or less uninfluenced by human activity – called
also virgin forest. (Webster’s 1981).
22. A classification of forest stands that describes an ecologically mature ecosystem. Where
information is not available for ecological classification, age or size of dominant trees, or both, are
used. (Bolsinger and Waddell 1993)
23. A climax forest that has never been disturbed by man. The old growth forests can be classified
as per the age and disturbance criteria. http://www.biodiv.org/Forests/Glossary.html
24. A forest characterized by growth displaying successional stages that occur only after a
relatively long period of time without a catastrophic disturbance. In Minnesota, old-growth forests
probably develop after 125-150 years without a catastrophic disturbance. (adapted from Old-
growth Forests in Minnesota. A Preliminary Report, Minnesota DNR Natural Heritage Program)
http://www.greatplains.org/resource/1999/natural/natural.pdf
25. A forest containing old trees. (Spies 2004).
26. A forest dominated by mature organisms that have originated naturally from those endemic to
the forest or its surrounds, in which the genetic, species and structural diversity have not been
significantly changed by human activity http://www.forestry.utoronto.ca/ac_staff/emeritus/My
%20Webs/english.htm
27. A forest dominated by mature trees that has not been significantly influenced by human
activity" (CCFM 1997: 124)
http://www.fraserinstitute.ca/publications/critical_issues/2000/env_indic/section_07.html.
28. A forest or stand that (1) contains at least one, preferably several, tree species that have
attained an average age of 150 years or more in the mature specimens; (2) has gone undisturbed
by human activity for a time interval sufficient for the establishment of old-growth characteristics,
and; (3) contains a density of at least 8 mature trees in the 150 year-old age bracket per acre.
Leverett (1991) - http://wvnvm.wvnet.edu/~rlanden/oldgrth.htm
29. A forest relatively old and relatively undisturbed. NOTE: (1) The term "old" varies by the
species or group of species in a stand. (2) Some individuals believe old growth to be an uncut,
virgin forest with very little man-made disturbance, while other individuals believe an old growth
forest can be created by limiting future disturbance and creating certain characteristics evident in
uncut virgin stands and thus termed a managed old growth forest.
http://weber.u.washington.edu/~robh/S-7/EcolGlos.html
30. A forest stand in which natural processes and succession have occurred over a long period of
time relatively undisturbed by human intervention.
http://www.state.vt.us/anr/fpr/lands/mansfield/appendi.pdf
31. A forest stand usually at least 180-220 years old with moderate to high canopy closure; a multi-
layered, multi-species canopy dominated by large overstory trees; high incidence of large trees,
29
some with broken tops and other indications of old and decaying wood ("decadence"); numerous
large snags; and heavy accumulations of wood, including large logs on the ground. From:
Kathy_Jope@nps.gov (Kathy Jope) also http://www.studyweb.com/Agriculture/
32. A forest that contains live and dead trees of various sizes, species, composition, and age class
structure. Old-growth forests, as part of a slowly changing but dynamic ecosystem, include climax
forests but not sub-climax or mid-seral forests. The age and structure of old growth varies
significantly by forest type and from one biogeoclimatic zone to another.
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/pab/publctns/glossary/O.htm and .
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/pab/publctns/frrra/app-c.htm
33. A forest that contains live and dead trees of various sizes, species, composition and age-class
structure. The age and structure of old growth varies significantly by forest type and from one
biogeoclimatic zone to another. http://www.interfor.com/glossary/glossary24.html
34. A forest that has not undergone a stand-replacing disturbance such as logging or fire, such
that succession has not occurred. http://www.eresourcesystems.com/Help/Glossary/glossary.html
35. A forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance
such as logging, roading or clearing. http://www.rfa.gov.au/dfa/other_info/attachd.html.
36. A late stage of forest succession. Although the specific characteristics of old-growth stands
vary with species composition and history, some commonly expected attributes in mesic forests
on productive sites include–an abundance of large trees at least 180 to 200 years old; a multi-
layered, multi-species canopy dominated by large overstory trees with moderate to high closure;
numerous trees with broken tops, snags, and large logs.
http://www.rmrs.nau.edu/publications/rm_gtr_295/glossary.html
37. A mature forest which has not been disturbed by human activity. Also known as virgin forest.
An increasingly rare, and increasingly valued, element of the wilderness. The lumbermen see it as
something else, as evidenced in this not-so-subtle definition from an industry web site: Old Growth
Forest: Forest stands in which the dominant cover types are mature or over-mature trees that
have reached their maximum size. No harvest has occurred among these large, old trees and
dead and fallen trees are as common as standing trees. Boundary Waters Compendium Glossary
- http://www.rook.org/earl/bwca/lists/glossary/
38. A natural forest largely unaffected by human activities; a large proportion of the trees will be
old and/or large. http://www.forestry.sa.gov.au/pdf/glossary.pdf
39. A natural progression of forest growth without evidence of man's influence. Sydney Haskell,
Carmanah Forestry Society. (Wells, et al. 1998)
40. A primary or a secondary forest which has achieved an age at which structures and species
normally associated with old primary forests of that type have sufficiently accumulated to act as a
forest ecosystem distinct from any younger age class. UNEP/CBD/SBSTTA 2001
41. A stand of mature or overmature trees relatively uninfluenced by human activity. The stand can
contain multiple layers of tree canopies, and various ages and species of vegetation. http://www-
env.ccm.emr.ca/schoolnet/issues/borealnet/n_glos/glos.htm and
http://atlas.gc.ca/legacy/schoolnet/issues/borealnet/n_glos/glos.htm
42. A stand or forest of mature or overmature trees hitherto uninfluenced by human activity
(IUFRO 2000).
43. A very old and complex forest community, usually at least 200 years old, characterized by a
mixture of species, trees of varied size and age, snags, and extensive amounts of wood on the
forest floor. http://www.nps.gov/olym/edgloss.htm
44. An area of old trees that has been subjected to negligible disturbance from activities such as
logging, road building and clearing for agriculture
http://www.nafi.com.au/k12/ourforests/glossary.html
45. An ecosystem distinguished by the presence of populations of old trees that is not necessarily
in late successional condition or tree from evidence of human activity (Spies 1997).
30
46. An undisturbed forest with trees that are more than 200 years old. It is characterized by fallen
trees, trees with broken tops and mature and dying trees.
http://www.nbs.gov/features/kidscorner/glossary.html and
http://biology.usgs.gov/features/kidscorner/glossary.html
47. Ancient forests. http://www.nrdc.org/reference/glossary/a.asp
48. Any ecosystem composed of dominant and codominant trees that are mature
http://fscus.org/html/standards_policies/us_regional_standards/archives/ozark_ouachita4.html
49. Apost-rotational forest http://www.ameteam.ca/glossary.htm
50. Ecologically mature and have been subjected to negligible human-induced disturbance such
as logging, roading and clearing or, if subject to any disturbance, the effect of which is now
negligible. Oldgrowth forests are usually dominated by trees which exhibit late-mature or
senescent growth stages in the upper stratum.
http://www.rfa.gov.au/rfa/vic/east/raa/esfm/gloss1.html
51. Ecologically mature forest that has been subject to negligible levels of disturbance such as
logging, roading and clearing. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum or
overstorey is in the late mature or overmature growth phase.
http://www.rfa.gov.au/dfa/other_info/glossary.html
52. Ecologically mature forest where the effects of disturbances are now negligible'.
http://www.rfa.gov.au/documents/oldgrowth/oldgrow.html#E11E3
53. Ecosystems distinguish by old trees and related structural attributes. Old-growth forests are
characterized by larger tree size, high accumulations of large dead woody material, multiple
canopy layers, species composition, and ecosystem function. The structure and function of an old-
growth ecosystem will be influenced by its stand size and landscape position and context.
www.superiornationalforest.org/july4thstorm1999/Appendix%20B.doc
54. Ecosystems distinguished by old trees and related structural attributes. Specific attributes vary
according to forest type, climate, site conditions, and disturbance regime.
http://www.safc.org/resources/glossary.htm#definitions
55. Forest conditions often including multiple canopy layers, variety in tree sizes and species,
variety of tree ages including mature trees, and standing and dead woody material.
http://www.ci.boulder.co.us/bmp/Plan/glossary.htm
56. Forest having the following structural characteristics: 1. An abundance of old trees,
recognizable by the asymmetrical shapes, relatively long trunks free of low branches (i.e., in-forest
as opposed to open-grown shapes), deeply furrowed or plated bark, signs of heartwood decay,
large prominent root structures, flattened crowns with protruding dead limbs, large thick limbs, and
trunks often showing a twist that develops with age; 2. Fallen logs in all stages of decomposition,
crisscrossing the forest floor and lying in and across stream beds, covered by moss and lichens;
3. Plentiful snags (standing dead trees); 4. Canopy gaps, large and small, formed from trees that
have fallen; 5. Undulating forest floor, expressed in randomly scattered pits and mounds where
trees have fallen over and decomposed; 6. Majority of tree species that fall into the late
successional class and a conspicuous absence of multiple-stemed trees; 7. Minimal of signs of
human disturbance. http://www.canadian-forests.com/fsc-glossary.html and Eastern Old-Growth
Forests: Prospects for Rediscovery and Recovery (M.B. Davis (Ed.) 1996. Island Press,
Washington, DC).
57. Forest in which the upper stratum is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible
unnatural disturbance such as logging, road-building and clearing
http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/soe/95/28.htm
58. Forest stand dominated by trees reaching natural death; the last stage in forest succession.
http://biotech.chem.indiana.edu/search/dict-search.phtml
59. Forest stand dominated by trees reaching natural senescence; the last stage in forest
succession. http://www.habitat-restoration.com/paeglos.htm
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60. Forest stands well beyond the rotation age for managed forests. Canadian Pacific Forest
Products Ltd. (Wells, et al. 1998).
61. Forest that contains live and dead trees of various sizes, species, composition and age class
structures. Old growth forests, as part of a slowly changing but dynamic ecosystem, including
climax forests but not sub-climax or mid-seral forests.
http://www.luco.gov.bc.ca/lrmp/diamond.htm#60
62. Forest that has a significant proportion of the oldest discernible growth stage(s) in it's overstory
and negligible structural evidence of disturbances. http://www.privateforestry.org.au/glos_o-z.htm
63. Forest that is ecologically mature and has been subjected to negligible unnatural disturbance
such as logging, roading and clearing. The definition focuses on forest in which the upper stratum
or overstorey is in the late mature to overmature growth phases. (The National Forest Policy
Statement (Commonwealth of Australia 1992) identified
http://www.rfa.gov.au/documents/oldgrowth/oldgrow.html#E11E3 )
64. Forest which has not had significant unnatural disturbances altering its content or structure
since European settlement. http://www.schools.wafa.org.au/terms.htm
65. Forest which is old and structurally mature regardless of past disturbance.
http://www.ifa.unimelb.edu.au/issues/wa/oldgrowth.htm
66. Forest which is old, structurally mature and is undisturbed, little disturbed or there is little
evidence of recent disturbance. http://www.ifa.unimelb.edu.au/issues/wa/oldgrowth.htm
67. Forest which is unlogged, regardless of its age or its structure i.e. virgin forest.
http://www.ifa.unimelb.edu.au/issues/wa/oldgrowth.htm
68. Forest with uninterrupted growth of more than 175 years (mid-latitudes).
http://www.yorku.ca/faculty/academic/cblanche/nats2200/n22oldgrowth.html
69. Forests free from disturbance for long enough (generally 150 to 200 years) to have mature
trees, physical conditions, species diversity, and other characteristics of equilibrium ecosystems.
http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0070294267/student_view0/glossary_m-r.html
70. Forests having a long, uninterrupted period of development... substantially free of human
influences or natural disturbances"... Whitney (1987) -
http://wvnvm.wvnet.edu/~rlanden/oldgrth.htm
71. Forests that either have never been cut or have not been cut for many decades. Forests
characterized by a large percentage of mature trees.
http://outreach.missouri.edu/mowin/Resources/glossary/glossaryo.html
72. Forests which have never been logged or developed. -
http://www.themouth.org/forest/oldgro.html
73. Forests with some very old trees. These forests have not been disturbed by major hurricanes,
fires, or human actions in the last 200 to 250 year .
http://omega.cc.umb.edu/~conne/joel/definition.htm
74. Generally, a forest stand that has reached a stage of extreme maturity.
http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/wildlife/Landowners_Guide/Introduction/Glossary.htm and
http://www.michigandnr.com/publications/pdfs/huntingwildlifehabitat/Landowners_Guide/Introducti
on/Glossary.htm
75. Individual trees that are beyond the age of biological maturity, or stands that contain old growth
trees as well as some large snags, and logs on the ground.
http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/ssfor11.htm
76. JANIS - Old growth forest is ecologically mature forest where the effects of disturbance are
now negligible. http://www.ifa.unimelb.edu.au/issues/wa/oldgrowth.htm
77. Jarrah – unlogged (virgin) forest or forest that has been minimally disturbed by logging and is
not affected by dieback (Phytophthora cinnamomi).
http://www.ifa.unimelb.edu.au/issues/wa/oldgrowth.htm
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78. Karri – unlogged (virgin) forest that is mature and senescent.
http://www.ifa.unimelb.edu.au/issues/wa/oldgrowth.htm
79. Later stages in forest development that are often compositionally and always structurally
distinct from earlier successional stages. Franklin and Spies 1991.
80. Later stages of forest development that are often compositionally and always structurally
distinct from earlier stages. Old-growth forests contain trees that are large for their species on a
site. In addition, old growth is usually charactertized by a variety of tree sizes, abundant large
snags and logs, and a developed, but patchy understory. Old-growth typically exhibits high
diversity in structural attributes due to varied stand disturbance histories, variable plant species
mixes among sites, and interactions with adjacent stands. Structural characteristics are dynamic
and old-growth stands do not always contain all of the attributes used to describe them. However,
forests that most clearly match the full range of structural features for old-growth will most likely
provide the full array of associated functional characteristics. (Mike Chapel, California Board of
Forestry) Source: Beardsley_Debby/r6pnw_portland@fs.fed.us
81. Mixed-mesophytic old-growth, includes large trees, basal area, diverse (native) understories,
windthrow mounds, snags, woody debris, etc. Martin (1992) -
http://wvnvm.wvnet.edu/~rlanden/oldgrth.htm
82. Not synonymous with old-aged forest and must be recognized on the basis of stand
characteristics rather than age of trees. Old growth stands contain trees of a wide range of sizes
and ages and have a deep, multilayered canopy. They contain large standing dead snags and
large down dead trees and other coarse woody debris. Nutrient cycling is low and much energy
accumulates on the forest floor. http://www.arcticatlas.org/glossary/index
83. Old forests often containing several canopy layers, variety in tree sizes and species, trees at
least 180 to 220 years old, and standing and dead woody material (http://www.umpqua-
watersheds.org/glossary/gloss_o.html)
84. Old forests valuable in nature conservation terms have usually greatly exceeded the
regeneration ages stipulated in forestry data. The trees are normally of varying sizes and species,
and form multiple canopy layers, although spruce forest at a late successional stage also qualifies.
Old stumps or other minor traces of human activity do not necessarily reduce the conservation
value of a forest. Old age and competition have increased the amount of natural removal, and
often also the amount of damage naturally suffered by the trees. The Working Group on the
Protection of Old Forests on State Lands in Southern Finland
85. Old forests which often contain several canopy layers, variety in tree sizes and species,
decadent old trees, and standing and dead woody material.
http://www.ci.boulder.co.us/openspace/Forest/forestgloss.htm
86. Old growth and ancient forests are essentially the same thing. "Ron Muir"
muir@forestry.auburn.edu
87. Old growth forest. A contiguous group of stands characterized overall by old-growth trees and
in the late-successional stage of development. (Helms 2004).
88. Old growth forests can be loosely described as forests that look largely as they would appear if
Europeans had not settled North America. They are forests that have suffered little or no logging
or grazing. http://www.earthisland.org/oldgrowth/faq.html
89. Old growth stand – A contiguous group of trees forming a canopy characterized by old-growtn
trees and in the late-successional stage of development (Helms 2004).
90. Old growth tree – A tree within approximately 20 percent of maximum observed age for a
particular species, site, and location. (Helms 2004).
91. Old growth, virgin forest -- (forest or woodland having a mature or overmature ecosystem more
or less uninfluenced by human activity) http://www.notredame.ac.jp/cgi-bin/wn?forestForests
which have never been logged or developed.
http://www.taconic.net/sequoiainternet/forest/oldgro.htm
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92. Old multi-story forest - a forest stand with moderate to high canopy closure—a multi-leveled
and multi-species canopy dominated by large overstory trees; high incidence of large trees, some
with broken tops and other indications of old and decaying wood; numerous large snags; and
heavy accumulations of wood, including large logs on the ground.
http://roadless.fs.fed.us/documents/feis/glossary.shtml
93. Old single story forest – single canopy layer consisting of large or old trees. Understory trees
are often absent, or present in randomly spaced patches. It generally consists of widely spaced,
shade-intolerant species, such as ponderosa pine and western larch, and high frequency fire
regimes. http://roadless.fs.fed.us/documents/feis/glossary.shtml
94. Old-growth forest i.e. ancient forest means a natural-state (or close) forest where the amount
of dead wood is tens of cubic meters per hectare. Ilkka Hanski (1999) Helsingin Sanomat
95. Old-growth forests are ecologically mature and have been roading and clearing or, if subject to
any disturbance, the effect of which is now negligible. Oldgrowth forests are usually dominated by
trees which exhibit late-mature or senescent growth stages in the upper stratum.
http://www.rfa.gov.au/rfa/vic/east/raa/esfm/gloss2.html
96. Old-growth forests are natural forests with pronounced variations in the ages of the trees,
multiple-layered vegetation, and a great abundance of old trees and large pieces of dead wood in
different stages of decay. Swedish FSC standard
97. Old-growth forests contain threatened ecosystems and species, or endemic species. They can
also be large landscape-level forests capable of supporting natural ecological patterns . The Taiga
Rescue Network
98. Old-growth stands must include at least six trees per acre that are more than 30 to 32" in
diameter and more than 200 years in age. The stands must have multilayered canopies (except
within mixed evergreen forests) and hold minimal amounts of large standing snags more than 20 "
in diameter and fallen logs at least 24" in diameter. 1986 Old-Growth Definition Task Force of the
Forest Service interim definition.
http://www.woodrow.org/teachers/biology/institutes/1992/old_growth.html
99. Old-growth tree. The closest scientific description is that it's a tree that is beyond its
pathological rotation age--or simply a tree living beyond its maturity.
http://www.accessatlanta.com/news/business/old_definition.html
100. Places that have been left alone for a long time, so the natural places of the planet have
taken over. Goldstein, Jessica. 2011. Old-growth forest: Nature, uninterrupted. Art, Explained. The
Washington Post. 23 October 2011. E-5.
101. Original, intact forest land that has not yet been significantly degraded by people.
http://www.ran.org/ran/info_center/factsheets/basicfacts.html
102. Relatively old and relatively undisturbed by humans. Hunter (1989) -
http://wvnvm.wvnet.edu/~rlanden/oldgrth.htm
103. Stands in primary or secondary forests that have developed the structures and species
normally associated with old primary forest of that type have sufficiently accumulated to act as a
forest ecosystem distinct from any younger age class.
http://www.biodiv.org/programmes/areas/forest/definitions.asp
104. Stands in which the relic trees have died and which consist entirely of trees which grew
from beneath the canopy. Oliver and Larson 1996.
105. Stands in which the relic trees have died and which consist entirely of trees which grew
from beneath... and which have developed in the absence of allogenic processes". Transition old-
growth "contains some trees which began after the initial disturbance and also large and
numerous younger trees of allogenic origin". Oliver and Larson (1996) and Leverett (1996) -
http://wvnvm.wvnet.edu/~rlanden/oldgrth.htm
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106. Stands regenerated by natural succession, with a substantial amount of old trees and
deadwood, and often with an uneven age structure. http://www.forest.ru/eng/old-
growth/definitions.html
107. Stands that are "overmature, past the point of maximum growth, etc. Leverett (1996) -
http://wvnvm.wvnet.edu/~rlanden/oldgrth.htm
108. Stands with a high percentage (>50%) of the canopy trees over half of the maximum life
span of the representative trees, a few trees near the maximum life span, no recorded history or
discernible signs of human disturbance, a "late successionary" species composition, and a set of
characteristics associated with mature, nature-managed forests. Leverett (1996) -
http://wvnvm.wvnet.edu/~rlanden/oldgrth.htm
109. Stands with canopy trees usually 150 years old or older but no fixed percentage, trees
need not be near maximum life span, but forest must possess a set of characteristics associated
with mature forest. Leverett (1996) - http://wvnvm.wvnet.edu/~rlanden/oldgrth.htm
110. The (usually) late successional stage of forest development. note 1- old-growth forests
are defined in many ways; generally, structural characteristics used to describe old-growth forests
include (a) live trees; number and minimum size of both seral and climax dominants, (b) canopy
conditions: commonly including multilayering, (c) snags: minimum number of specific size, and (d)
down logs and coarse woody debris: minimum tonnage and numbers of pieces of specific size.
note 2 - old-growth forests generally contain trees that are large for their species and site and
sometimes decadent (overmature) with broken tops, often a variety of tree sizes, large snags and
logs, and a developed and often patchy understory. note 3 - stand age, although a useful indicator
of old growth, is often considered less important than structure because (a) the rate of stand
development depends more on environment and stand history than age alone, and (b) dominants
are often multiaged. note 4 - due to large differences in forest type, climate, site quality, and
natural disturbance history (e.g. fire, wind, and disease and insect epidemics), old-growth forests
vary extensively in tree size, age classes, presence and abundance of structural elements,
stability and presence of understory. note 5 - the minimum area needed for an old-growth forest to
be a functional ecological unit depends on the nature and management of surrounding areas;
small areas often do not contain all old-growth elements. note 6 - an old-growth forest is
commonly perceived as an uncut, virgin forest with very little human-caused disturbance; some
believe that the time taken for stands to develop old-growth structure can be shortened by
silvicultural treatments which the area occupied by each species per unit area is estimated by eye.
note - this method is contrasted with the weight method - synonym ocular plot estimate, plot
estimate method, square-foot method (Helms 1998). From: tnygren@juno.com (Harold T Nygren)
111. The forest-state that stretches from the time of dominant stand height growth cessation,
through to and including the stable forest climax. Western Canada Wilderness Committee. (Wells,
et al. 1998).
112. The old growth forests have been described by the adjective primeval, ancient,
wilderness, virgin, pristine while in forester's terminology they are called as over-matured,
decadent, and senescent, old growth. The old growth forests may be defined as a climax forest
that has never been disturbed by man. The old growth forests can be classified as per the age
and disturbance criteria. http://glossary.eea.eu.int/EEAGlossary/O/old-growth_forest
113. The seral stage after mature, which is the potential plant community capable of existing
on a site, given the frequency of natural disturbance events. In forests of the Pacific region, old
growth often begins around age 200 and continues until a stand replacing event takes place.
Depending on the frequency and intensity of disturbances, and site conditions, old-growth forest
will have different structures, species compositions, and age distributions
http://fscus.org/html/standards_policies/us_regional_standards/archives/pacificnorthwest3.html
114. Those mature and over-mature forests which occupy sites which have not previously
been impacted by the hand of man. Fletcher Challenge Ltd. (Wells, et al. 1998).
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115. Timber stands with the following characteristics: large mature and over-mature trees in
the overstory, snags, dead and decaying logs on the ground, and a multi-layered canopy with
trees of several age classes. http://rredc.nrel.gov/biomass/states/bio_glossary/glossary.html and
http://www.eren.doe.gov/biopower/glossary.html#F
and http://bioenergy.ornl.gov/faqs/glossary.html#T
116. To most people "old growth" means big trees. The U.S. Forest Service definition is "a
forest with trees 200 years or older, snags (standing dead trees), and down woody debris on the
forest floor." http://www.forestinfo.org/Glossary.htm
117. Uncut virgin forest; A forest that has not undergone a stand-replacing disturbance such
as logging or a crown fire, such that succession has not occurred.
http://www.fw.vt.edu/zedaker/3364/ecolterms.html
118. Undisturbed primary forest, typically diverse in species and age of constituents, and is a
result of competition and long-time natural selection International Dendrological Research Institute
Glossary - http://world.std.com/~jegan/idriglossary.html
119. Very old forests that have not been logged; closed-canopy conditions
http://www.calwild.org/resources/pubs/linkages/appendF.pdf
120. Virgin and old, second-growth forests containing trees that are often hundreds,
sometimes thousands, or years old. http://www.gsu.edu/~mstnrhx/ecogloss.htm
and http://ecology.org/biod/library/glos_NS.html
121. Virgin timber. http://rredc.nrel.gov/biomass/forest/tim_glossary/t_glossary.html#O
Most definitions of old growth forest suggest they are mature forests that are losing productivity. In a
sense, old growth forests are "degraded" forests. They are also managed forest in the sense that a
decision may have been made to spare the trees.
Original Forest:
Original - 1 : of, relating to, or constituting an origin or beginning (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
That estimated to have covered the planet about 8,000 years ago, before large-scale disturbance by
modern society began. (http://www.wri.org/ffi/lff-eng/)
(WCMC) Original forest is defined as the post-glacial forest cover which existed around 7000 years
ago and is derived from maps of potential vegetation.
http://www.panda.org/downloads/forests/wcmcflrmapping.pdf
Using Webster's definition, an area recently afforested would be considered an original forest.
Patch Forest
Patch forest comprises coherent forest regions that are too small to contain core forest.
http://www.springerlink.com/content/j1un144n10086417/fulltext.pdf
Perforated Forest
Perforated forest defines the boundaries between core forest and relatively small perforations
http://www.springerlink.com/content/j1un144n10086417/fulltext.pdf
Plantation forests (Forest Cultures) –
1. (AFF 2011) Forest plantations – a subset of all planted forests – are defined as forests of
introduced species and in some cases native species, established through planting or seeding,
with few species, even spacing and/or even-aged stands. African Forest Forum.
http://www.afforum.org/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=43&Itemid=
2. (Artificial crop, artificial stand ~ man-made forest) - A stand raised artificially, either by planting
or by direct sowing (South 1998).
3. (Chile 2016) Planted Forest: “ Forest predominantly composed of trees established through
planting and/or deliberate seeding. Explanatory notes: 1) In this context, predominantly means
36
that the planted/seeded trees are expected to constitute more than 50 percent of the growing
stock at maturity; 2) Includes coppice from trees that were originally planted or seeded; 3)
Includes rubberwood, cork oak and Christmas tree plantations; 4) Excludes self - sown trees of
introduced species.” Planted forest of introduced species is defined as “Planted forest, where
the planted/seeded trees are predominantly of introduced species. Explanatory note: 1) In this
context, predominantly means that the planted/seeded trees of introduced species are expected to
constitute more than 50 percent of the growing stock at maturity. ” Forest Law 20.283 22
http://redd.unfccc.int/files/2016_submission_frel_chile_english.pdf
4. (Colombia) Plantación Forestal: Es el bosque originado por la intervención directa del hombre.
(Decreto 1791 octubre 4 de 1996. Ministerio del Medio Ambiente). "Gerardo Lozano"
<glozano@impsat.net.co
5. (Egypt 2003) Plantations are areas which result from the human activities of planting, sowing
or intensive silvicultural treatments, and lack most of the principal characteristics and key
elements of native ecosystems. According to FSC, certified plantations should decrease the
pressures on natural forests, have diversity in composition in species and age classes,
preferentially choose native over exotic species, serve to improve soil function, fertility and
structure, and have some proportion of their area managed for the restoration of natural forest
cover http://www.egyptchm.org/chm/implementation/pdf/arid_lands.pdf
6. (EU) Forest crop established by seeding or planting nursery-raised stock
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:europa.eu.int/comm/dg08/forests/en/en4_6.htm and
http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/forests/en/en4_6.htm
7. (Georgia) Stand of seeded or planted wood species. Source: Forest Code (June, 1999) Kate
Metreveli, Head of the WB Forestry, Project Preparation Unit. kattimet@geo.net.ge
8. (Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Region (Canada)) Tree-dominated vegetated areas in which
human intervention, through planting or intensive silvicultural treatments, has yielded conditions in
which only a few of the characteristics of the indigenous natural forest ecosystem remain. [Draft
standards for the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Region (Canada) http://www.web.net/fscca/s5.htm
9. (Indonesia - 2002) Forest stands established by planting and/or seeding in the process of
afforestation or reforestation. They comprise either introduced species (all planted stands) or
intensively managed stands of indigenous species. Plantations may be established to provide
wood products (timber, pulp) or such agricultural crops as oil palm and coconut.
http://www.globalforestwatch.org/common/indonesia/sof.indonesia.english.low.pdf
10. (Morocco and Yemen) Plantation (Arabic : Ard Mushajjarah, French : Platation, Spanish :
Plantacion) - Land planted artificially (by man) with forest trees (regular spacing) Mohammed
Ellatifi, m.ellatifi@ellatifi.8m.com
11. (Nicaragua) - Draft - Bosque de Plantaciones: Son los que se realizan por medio de la
reforestación. www.nicarao.org.ni/ja (see Borrador de la ley, CAPITULO II DEFINICIONES) Harrie
<harnic@ibw.com.ni>
12. (South Africa) Single species (usually either pine or eucalyptus), regular spacing, even-aged
stands. http://www.polity.org.za/govdocs/green_papers/forest1.html#t1.1
13. (Timber) - The most intensive form of forest management. It is characterized by monocultures
of fast-growing tree species (e.g. poplar, Pinus radiata, eucalyptus), short rotation lengths (< 60
years), stand regeneration by planting, application of soil fertilization and tillage, pest control and
other measures aimed at increasing timber yields. Plantations are a transitional form between
forestry and agricultural land use. Most afforestation takes the form of this type of management.
http://www.awi-bremerhaven.de/WBGU/wbgu_sn1998_voll_engl.html
14. (UK) Woodland where the current trees have been planted. Often includes naturally
regenerating trees as well. Includes former semi-natural woodlands restocked by planting [Source:
THE UK FORESTRY STANDARD. The Government's Approach to Sustainable Forestry,
37
EDINBURGH: FORESTRY COMMISSION, 1998 http://www.forestry.gov.uk/standard.html and
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/standard.pdf
15. (Ukraine) Forest stands created by planting of seedlings, saplings of trees or shrubs or by
sowing of their seeds'', i.e. it here this means only origination of stands, not intensity of
management. [Source: State Standard of Ukraine, DSTU 2980-95 ``Forest plantations. Terms and
definitions'', being in force since 01.01.96. From: "Maksym Polyakov"
mpoliak@pcomp.usau.kiev.ua Date: Sat, 28 Mar 1998 21:09:08 +0200 (UKR)]
16. (UN FAO 2000) Forest stands established by planting and/or seeding in the process of
afforestation or reforestation which are either of introduced species (all planted stands) or
intensively managed stands of indigenous species, which meet all the following criteria: one or two
species at plantation, even age class, regular spacing.. (UN/ECE-FAO 1997 and FAO 1998)
17. (UN FAO 2005) Planted forest - Forest/other wooded land in which trees have been
established through planting or seeding. Includes all stands established through planting or
seeding of both native and introduced species.
http://unfccc.int/files/methods_and_science/lulucf/application/pdf/060830_killmann.pdf
18. (UN FAO 2005, IPCC 2006) - Forest/other wooded land of introduced species and in some
cases native species, established through planting or seeding. 1. Includes all stands of introduced
species established through planting or seeding. 2. May include areas of native species
characterized by few species, even spacing and/or even-aged stands 3. Plantation forest is asub-
set of planted forest.
http://unfccc.int/files/methods_and_science/lulucf/application/pdf/060830_killmann.pdf
19. (UN FAO) A forest established by planting and/or seeding in the process of afforestation or
reforestation. It consists of introduced species or, in some cases, indigenous species.
(http://www.fao.org/docrep/003/y0900e/y0900e11.htm#P1_7)
20. (USA Pacific Coast region) - Tree-dominated areas substantially lacking in natural forest
attributes (e.g., structure, and species composition native to the area) and that usually require
human intervention. A "planted forest" is not necessarily a "plantation," since it may attain natural
forest attributes. In the Pacific Coast region, any of the following characteristics may indicate that
a forest is a plantation (though not necessarily one that is certifiable): Cultivation of exotic species,
Use of even-aged silviculture for forest types that do not regenerate naturally through stand-
replacing events, Use of even-aged silviculture with rotations of less than 60 years, Use of even-
aged regeneration units larger than those specified under criterion 9.2, Systematic use of and
reliance on chemical herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers, Single-species plantings on sites
normally occupied by multiple-species forests, and Regular, periodic stand treatments intended to
eliminate natural ingrowth of native trees and associated ground vegetation. [Draft standards for
the Pacific Coast Region (US) From: David South <dsouth@sofserv.forestry.auburn.edu Date:
Wed, 17 Jun 1998 16:45:07 -0500]
21. (USA) Areas dominated by trees planted on a regular and generally consistent row and plant
spacing. Stands are planted for the purpose of producing a crop of timber, Christmas trees, or
other products. Examples include planted hardwood and softwood timber stands. [Source:
http://biology.usgs.gov/fgdc.veg/standards/appendix3.htm]
22. (WAF 2004) - Type of forest that is artificially established and cultivated for industrial,
conservation and agroforestry purposes (usually fast-growing species planted).
http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/Publications/files/book/BK0073-04.PDF
23. (World Bank 2000) Established artificially by afforestation on lands previously non-forested
within living memory, or established artificially by reforestation on land that was forested, by
replacement of the indigenous species with a new and essentially different species or genetic
variety. . http://www.holz.uni-goettingen.de/ek/woodsat/pdf/worldbankforestry.pdf
24. (WRI) Plantations are areas which result from the human activities of planting, sowing or
intensive silvicultural treatments, and lack most of the principal characteristics and key elements
38
of native ecosystems. According to FSC, certified plantations should decrease the pressures on
natural forests, have diversity in composition in species and age classes, preferentially choose
native over exotic species, serve to improve soil function, fertility and structure, and have some
proportion of their area managed for the restoration of natural forest cover.
http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/for_cou_188.pdf
25. (Viet Nam 2016) Forest Plantations - Newly planted or regenerated forests do not always
reach the thresholds of the forest definition in situ. To avoid over-estimation of forest land while at
the same time assessing newly established forest plantations as early as possible, Circular 34
sets a separate minimum height for forest plantations. (When this height is exceeded,
establishment of the forest plantation is a fact and the likelihood of the forest plantation reaching
the 5 meter height threshold in situ is optimal.) These thresholds are 1.5 meter height for slow
growing plantations and 3 meter height for fast growing plantations and the density of at least
1,000 trees per ha. http://redd.unfccc.int/files/2016_submission_frel_viet_nam.pdf
26. A forest crop established by artificial, either by sowing or planting. Canadian Council of Forest
Ministers
27. A forest stand established by the planting of trees either native or exotic species elected for
their wood-producing properties and managed intensively for timber.
http://www.rfa.gov.au/rfa/vic/east/raa/esfm/gloss2.html
28. A forest that has been planted as a crop for eventual harvest. Most plantation forests are
replanted following harvest for second and subsequent rotations in perpetuity.
http://www.forestenterprises.co.nz/cfi/investmentstructure.htm
29. A forest which has been planted by people with species occurring naturally (native species
plantation) or not (exotic species plantation) in that country.
http://www.biodiv.org/Forests/Glossary.html
30. A group of planted trees grown in the form of an agricultural crop
http://www.nafi.com.au/k12/ourforests/glossary.html
31. A large area of trees usually planted specifically for harvesting.
http://www.timberlands.co.nz/environment/manual/chap_16.pdf
32. A plantation forest may be afforested land or a secondary forest established by planting or
direct seeding. A gradient exists among plantation forests from even-aged, single species
monocultures of will probably also reflect the capability of the plantation forest to maintain
"normal" local biological diversity. http://www.biodiv.org/programmes/areas/forest/definitions.asp
33. A planted forest of either native or exotic species. Small plantation may be called blocks or
woodlots.
http://www.nre.vic.gov.au/web/root/domino/infseries/infsheet.nsf/3b1939c497704dc14a25652e003
9a43b/962f757481adad504a25679c000c7c44?OpenDocument
34. A stand of trees resulting from planting or artificially seeding a harvested area.
http://www.r5.fs.fed.us/sixrivers/publications/feis/appedix/g.pdf
35. All forests established by planting or seeding in the processes of afforestation and
reforestation. http://greenplanet.eolss.net/EolssLogn/mss/C09/E4-27/E4-27-08/E4-27-08-04/E4-
27-08-04-TXT.aspx#Glossary_
36. An area of managed forest where the trees have been planted, rather than grown naturally
through regeneration (NGGIC 1997).
http://www.greenhouse.gov.au/ncas/files/strategic/glossary.html
37. An artificially forested area established by planting or direct seeding. It is usually made up of a
single species. http://msucares.com/pubs/pub1250.htm
38. Crops of trees artificially established, primarily for specific commercial purposes.
http://www.af.nfr.no/andre-doc/alternativ-agenda/Forests.html, http://www.igc.org/habitat/treaties/at
-27.htm and http://nativenet.uthscsa.edu/archive/nl/9208/0081.html
39
39. Floresta Plantada - Formação florestal composta por espécies exóticas e/ou nativas,
plantadas com objetivos específicos.
http://www.suzano.com.br/docs/recursos/maneucal/glossar.html
40. Forest areas lacking most of the principal characteristics and key elements of native
ecosystems as defined by the Forest Stewardship Council -approved national and regional
standards of forest stewardship, which result from the human activities of either planting, sowing
or intensive silvicultural treatments (South 1998).
http://www.metla.fi/archive/forest/1994/07/msg00035.html. PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA FOR
FOREST STEWARDSHIP. Revised March 1996, edited October 1996
and http://biodiversityeconomics.org/business/topics-101-07.htm
41. Forest established artificially on lands that did not previously contain forests.
http://www.peopleandplanet.net/section.php?
section=1&topic=8&PHPSESSID=1a9faae006a4efebfebe57431f0ca5ac
42. Forest established artificially on lands that did not previously contain forest (afforestation) or on
lands that were previously forested (reforestation). https://www.uni-
hohenheim.de/i490a/teaching/M4901-
430/ws_03_04/reading_materials/New_Neef_Schwarzmeier_Studie.pdf
43. Forest plantation is one established by planting or/and seeding in the process of afforestation
or reforestation. It consists of introduced species or, in some cases, indigenous species.
http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/deforest/deforest.html
44. Forest stands established by planting or/and seeding in the process of afforestation or
reforestation. They are either: - of introduced species (all planted stands), or - intensively
managed stands of indigenous species which meet all the following criteria: one or two species at
plantation, even age class, regular spacing. Excludes: stands which were established as
plantation but which have been without intensive management for a significant period of time.
These should be considered semi-natural (UN-ECE/FAO 1997).
45. Forest stands that have been established artificially to produce a forest product crop. They are
either on lands that previously have not supported forests for more than 50 years (afforestation),
or on lands that have supported forests within the last 50 years and where the original crop has
been replaced with a different one (reforestation) (Brown et al. 1986).
46. Forests established artificially, either by afforestation on land which has not carried forest
within living memory or by reforestation of land which carried forest before but where the
indigenous species are replaced with a new species or genetic variety
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:europa.eu.int/comm/dg08/forests/en/en4_6.htm
47. Forests or woods that have been planted. http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/hcou-4ubj75
48. Forests that are planted as a crop. -
http://www.forestenterprises.co.nz/cfi/investmentstructure.htm
49. Include contiguous areas of planted trees occupying areas greater than one hectare.
http://www.srs.fs.fed.us/pubs/ja/ja_parks002.pdf
50. Intensively managed stands of either native or exotic trees species, created by the regular
placement of seedlings or seed. http://www.rfa.gov.au/dfa/other_info/glossary.html
51. Plantation: a usually large group of plants and especially trees under cultivation (http://www.m-
w.com/dictionary)
52. Plantations area describes forest stands established artificially by afforestation and
reforestation for industrial and non-industrial usage.
http://earthtrends.wri.org/searchable_db/variablenotes_static.cfm?varid=304&theme=9
53. Plantations. Forest stands established artificially by afforestation and reforestation for industrial
and nonindustrial usage. http://fiesta.bren.ucsb.edu/~idgec/publications/reports/forest.pdf
40
54. Planted Forests - These forests have been established by planting or sowing on barren land,
grassland, land cleared of secondary forest or scrub, land cleared of primary or modified forest.
http://www.itto.or.jp/policy/pds4/page5.html
55. Planted stand of trees (WESTVACO)
56. Plot of land occupied by fast-growing or `technical' forest species with the aim of producing
timber with short rotation or producing bark, (willow) withes, seeds, grafts etc. our term <[forest]
plantation can be translated to English as -- [forest] plantation, -- seed orchard.... [From: "Maksym
Polyakov" mpoliak@pcomp.usau.kiev.ua Date: Wed, 17 Jun 1998 11:20:37 +0300 (MSD)]
57. This category includes artificial forests created by sowing or planting trees and forest stands
improved by introduction of valuable tree species. Forest plantations are divided into two
categories: plantations with closed crown canopy (registered as forest), and plantations which did
not yet form closed crown cover. (ref. Forest stock, Forest plantation which did not yet for closed
crown cover). Minimum mapping unit 0.5 ha.
http://ewg.gecp.virginia.edu/ewg_forest_us/general/glossary.htm
58. Tree Plantations, are simplified tree dominated ecosystems that have suppressed natural
succession patterns. They have a poor capacity to mature into natural forest systems and lie on
lands cleared of native vegetation. Often, they contain elements of exotic species. Tree
plantations vary from the industrial monocultures to diverse home gardens. Tree plantations do
not have the capacity to mature into natural forest systems. Ranil Senanayake
100232.3435@CompuServe.COM
59. Tree-dominated areas substantially lacking in natural forest attributes (e.g. structure and
species composition native to the area) that usually require human intervention in order to be
maintained. A "planted forest" is not necessarily a "plantation" since it may be part of a
management regime that maintains most natural forest attributes indigenous to the area. The
Pacific Coast Working Group of FSC-US
60. Tree-dominated vegetated areas in which human intervention, through planting or intensive
silvicultural treatments, has yielded conditions in which only a few of the characteristics of the
indigenous natural forest ecosystem remain. (defined by FSC A.C.)
http://fscus.org/html/standards_policies/us_regional_standards/archives/pacificnorthwest3.html
61. Trees usually of a single species planted on cleared land for the purpose of growing a product
such as wood. http://schools.wafa.org.au/terms.htm
Pioneer species:
Aggressive species, tolerant to minimal habitat harsh, all competing initially for sunlight and growth
room. http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/5974/
Primary (Woodland) Forest:
1. Primary - 1 a : first in order of time or development : PRIMITIVE <the primary stage of civilization b
: of or relating to formations of the Paleozoic and earlier periods 2 a : of first rank, importance, or
value : (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
2. (AMEC definition derived from World Bank) “This forest is relatively intact 'natural forest' and
essentially unmodified by human activity. The forest shows no signs of fire, logging in the form of
infrastructure such as railways or canals. Local people may be present in sufficient low numbers
or under take activities that leave the forest in near-natural condition. The forest does not have
adjacent activities that in the near future might essentially modify the natural forest cover, or leave
the forest in other than near-natural condition. Some of these primary forest areas are critical
habitats if they occur in existing 'protected areas' and or in areas that are being proposed for
Protection Forest status under provincial land use planning legislation.” (2005)
http://eyesontheforest.or.id/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=5
41
3. (EU) Relatively intact natural forest which has remained essentially unmodified by human activity
for the past 60-80 years http://europa.eu.int/comm/dg08/forests/en/en4_6.htm,
http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/forests/en/en4_6.htm and
http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=1985&page=670
4. (IISD 1999) A forest in a mature succession phase, whose structure and composition have
resulted from unrestrained ecological processes rather than from human activity.
http://www.iisd.org/pdf/wcfsdsummary.pdf IISD 1999.
5. (Indonesia) Primary forest - Areas covered by original virgin forests under dry or not permanently
inundated conditions. Source: D.C. Schwaar, Land capability appraisal Indonesia, AGL/INS/72/011
Working Paper No.5, FAO 1973 http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/agll/landuse/clsys/Indonesia.htm
6. (Nicaragua) - Draft - Bosque Primario: Bosque relativamente intacto que esencialmente no ha
sido modificado por la actividad humana durante los últimos 60 a 80 años. www.nicarao.org.ni/ja
(see Borrador de la ley, CAPITULO II DEFINICIONES) Harrie <harnic@ibw.com.ni>
7. (Thailand) Forest which are in a close or natural unidusturbed state. The report of Thailand's
National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, 1990 "Wilailak Pangtawaong" wpangtaw@deqp.go.th
8. (UN EP 2003) A forest that has never been logged and that has developed following natural
disturbances and under natural processes, regardless of its age.
http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1030&context=usdafsfacpub
9. (UN FAO 2005, IPCC 2006) - Forest/Other wooded land of native species, where there are no
clearly visible indications of human activities and the ecological processes are not significantly
disturbed. Includes areas where collection of non-wood forest products occurs, provided the
human impact is small. Some trees may have been removed.
http://unfccc.int/files/methods_and_science/lulucf/application/pdf/060830_killmann.pdf
10. (World Bank 1999) Relatively intact forest that has been essentially unmodified by human activity
for the past sixty to eighty years. http://www-
wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/1999/09/17/000178830_9810190152084
1/Rendered/INDEX/multi0page.txt
11. (World Bank 2000) Relatively intact forest that has been essentially unmodified by human activity
for the past 60 to 80 years. . http://www.holz.uni-
goettingen.de/ek/woodsat/pdf/worldbankforestry.pdf
12. A climax forest comprising primary or climax species, i.e. a forest that either has not been severely
disturbed or has fully recovered from disturbance by a secondary succession - John Morrison
john.GISLAB@WWFUS.ORG
13. A forest ecosystem with the principal characteristics and key elements of native ecosystems such
as complexity, structure, and diversity and an abundance of mature trees, relatively undisturbed
by human activity. Human impacts in such forest areas have normally been limited to low levels of
hunting, fishing and harvesting of forest products. Such ecosystems are also referred to as
"mature," "old-growth," or "virgin" forests.
http://www.fscstandards.org/regions/southeast/glossary.html
14. A forest in a mature succession phase whose structure and composition have resulted from
unrestrained ecological processes rather than from human activity.
http://iisd1.iisd.ca/wcfsd/wcfsdsummary.pdf
15. A forest largely undisturbed by human activities. http://www.wri.org/wri/biodiv/gbs-glos.html#OPQ
16. A forest occupying a site that has been continuously forested* even though it may have been
clear-felled, provided that the clear-felling does not break the forest continuity (i.e. the forest
regenerated or was replanted) (Allaby 1994).
42
17. A forest that has never been logged and has developed following natural disturbances and under
natural processes, regardless of its age.
http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/deforest/deforest.html
18. A forest that has never been logged and has developed following natural disturbances and under
natural processes, regardless of its age. It is referred to "direct human disturbance" as the
intentional clearing of forest by any means (including fire) to manage or alter them for human use.
Also included as primary, are forests that are used inconsequentially by indigenous and local
communities living traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of
biological diversity. In much of Europe, primary forest has a different connotation and refers to an
area of forest land which has probably been continuously wooded at least throughout historical
times (e.g., the last thousand years). It has not been completely cleared or converted to another
land use for any period of time. However traditional human disturbances such as patch felling for
shifting cultivation, coppicing, burning and also, more recently, selective/partial logging may have
occurred, as well as natural disturbances. The present cover is normally relatively close to the
natural composition and has arisen (predominantly) through natural regeneration, but planted
stands can also be found. However, the suggested definition above would include other forests,
such as secondary forests. http://www.biodiv.org/programmes/areas/forest/definitions.asp
19. A forest that has never been logged or disturbed.
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/plants/glossary/indexp.shtml
20. An ecosystem characterized by an abundance of mature trees, relatively undisturbed by human
activity. Human impacts in such forest areas have normally been limited to low levels of hunting,
fishing and harvesting of forest products, and, in some cases, to low density, shifting agriculture
with prolonged fallow periods. Such ecosystems are also referred to as "mature," "old-growth" or
"virgin" forests. (further details will be addressed by FSC-approved national and regional
standards of forest stewardship) PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA FOR FOREST STEWARDSHIP.
Revised March 1996, edited October 1996, http://www.canadian-forests.com/fsc-glossary.html,
and http://www.fscus.org/html/about_fsc/who_we_are/glossary_of_terms.html#p
21. An old-growth or ancient forest, that has kept recycling for thousands of years.
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/5974/
22. Areas where the primary lot pattern consists of lots of record (as defined by the Multnomah
County zoning code for Commercial Forest Use-zoned areas) in excess of 40 acres and where
there are few existing residences. Primary forest lands may include smaller lots of record which do
not by themselves meet the definition, but which are isolated from other smaller lots of record by
lands which do meet the definition of primary forest lands. The second, which shall be designated
as COMMERCIAL FOREST - 2, consists of the remainder of the Commercial forest Use-zoned
areas. Secondary forest lands are defined as areas consisting of contiguous lots of record less
than 40 acres, many of which have existing residences. Secondary forest lands may include larger
lots of record which by themselves do not meet the definition, but which are isolated from other
larger lots of record by lands which do meet the definition of secondary forest lands
http://www.multnomah.lib.or.us/lup/WestHills/WHHome.html
23. Forest in an undisturbed or virgin state.
http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/congo/WWFBinaryitem2900.pdf
24. Forest in its natural state, unmodified by human activity (i.e., with negligible impact from human
gathering activities, including the rare cutting of isolated timber trees). This refers to forest
structure, and not to its fauna, or its size. Hunting may have removed certain species (e.g. large
mammals), but the forest stand remain undisturbed. (2005) http://eyesontheforest.or.id/index.php?
option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=5
25. Forest that has never been harvested or otherwise disturbed at a large scale by humans.
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/forestry/Look/assessment/11.pdf
43
26. Forest that has remained undisturbed for a long time and has reached a mature condition.
http://www.arkive.org/pitcher-plant/nepenthes-ovata/glossary-and-references.html
27. Intact forest that has been essentially unmodified by human activity for the past sixty to eighty
years. http://www.wrm.org.uy/actors/WB/1994policy.html
28. Land which has never been anything other than woodland since the end of the last Ice Age,
although it may have been regularly harvested. . http://www.woodland-
trust.org.uk/glossary/indexfr.htm The Woodland Trust Glossary
29. One that has not been disturbed by anthropogenic action such as grazing, logging, road building,
chemical deposition, or by frequent fires. A "primary forest" is also of sufficient size that it is
capable of regenerating all the endogenous species that inhabit or dwell there. From: John Foster
"J. Foster" borealis@mail.wellsgray.net
30. PRIMARY FOREST (syn. pristine, virgin, or old growth forest) Forest which has never been
subject to human disturbance, or has been so little affected by hunting and gathering that its
natural structure, functions and dynamics have not undergone any unnatural change.
http://www.itto.or.jp/policy/pds4/page5.html
31. Primary forest is defined as relatively intact forest that has been essentially unmodified by human
activity for the previous 60 to 80 years. http://www.worldtwitch.com/citigroup.htm
32. Relatively intact forest that has been essentially unmodified by human activity for the past sixty to
eighty years; an ecosystem characterized by an abundance of mature trees. Human impacts in
such forests have been limited to low levels of artisanal hunting, fishing, and harvesting of forest
products, and, in some cases, low density migratory agriculture (World Bank 1991).
http://www.wrm.org.uy/actors/WB/1991policy3.html
33. Relatively intact forest that has been essentially unmodified by human activity for the past sixty to
eighty years https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/i490a/teaching/M4901-
430/ws_03_04/reading_materials/New_Neef_Schwarzmeier_Studie.pdf
34. The forest area that is still very dense and undisturbed. This type of forest includes tropical
evergreen forest, tropical rain forest, and some dense mixed deciduous forest.
http://www.gisdevelopment.net/aars/acrs/1997/ts5/ts5007pf.htm
35. Woodland occupying a site which has been continuously wooded (in Britain since the last ice
advance) even though it may have been clear-felled, provided that the clear-felling does not break
the woodland continuity [i.e. the woodland regenerated or was replanted] (Allaby 1994). Helene M
Cleveland CCMAIL hmclevel@aec.apgea.army.mil
36. Woodland that has had continuous cover of native trees throughout history
http://www.tnw.org.uk/Note17.html
37. Woodland unaffected by any human influence or activity. it is the original ‘wildwood' growing
naturally following the end of the last ice age around 13,000 years ago. http://www.peakdistrict-
nationalpark.info/place/glossary.html
Primeval Forest:
1. Primeval of or relating to the earliest ages (as of the world or human history) : ANCIENT,
PRIMITIVE <100 acres of primeval forest which has never felt an ax -- Mary R. Zimmer
(http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
2. Ice Age forests - Bonnicksen (2000)
See "old-growth" forest. http://www.nps.gov/olym/edgloss.htm
See note at end of "original" forest.
Pristine Forest:
1. Pristine - 1 : belonging to the earliest period or state : ORIGINAL <the hypothetical pristine lunar
atmosphere. 2 a : not spoiled, corrupted, or polluted (as by civilization) : PURE <a pristine forest
44
b : fresh and clean as or as if new <pristine hard-backs in uniform editions to fill our built-in
bookcases -- Michiko Kakutani (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
2. "Pristine" forests gives the idea of no human interaction. "Ron Muir" <muir@forestry.auburn.edu
3. Stands that had been undisturbed by humans (Beardsley_Debby/r6pnw_portland@fs.fed.us).
See note at end of "original" forest.
Reference Forest:
''Reference historic forest'' means the way a whole forest appeared spreading over a landscape, with
all of its diversity, at or about the time it was first seen by European explorers.
http://www.calforests.org/foundation_what_the_experts_say-422-Restoration_Forestry.htm
Regrowth forest -
Native forest containing a substantial proportion of trees that are in the younger growth phase and are
actively growing in height and diameter. Regrowth forests may contain scattered individuals or small
occurrences of ecologically mature, or old growth, trees.
http://www.rfa.gov.au/dfa/other_info/glossary.html
Secondary (Woodland) Forest:
1. Secondary: 1 a : of second rank, importance, or value b : of, relating to, or constituting the second
strongest of the three or four degrees of stress recognized by most linguists <the fourth syllable of
basketball team carries secondary stress c of a tense : expressive of past time 2 a : immediately
derived from something original, primary, or basic (http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
2. (Costa Rica 2016) Secondary forests - are new forests on lands previously classified as “non-
forest”. They also include forests that were classified as “secondary forest” already in 1985/86.
Secondary forests in 1985/86 are assumed to be representative of all possible age classes, up to
400 years old, with equal proportions of areas.
http://redd.unfccc.int/files/2016_submission_frel_costa_rica.pdf
3. (Europe) -Forest land where there has been a period of complete clearance by humans with or
without a period of conversion to another land use. Forest cover has regenerated naturally or
artificially through planting. http://www.biodiv.org/programmes/areas/forest/definitions.asp
4. (Indonesia) A secondary forest (or second-growth forest) is a forest or woodland area which has
re-grown after a major disturbance such as fire, insect infestation, timber harvest or windthrow,
until a long enough period has passed so that the effects of the disturbance are no longer evident.
It is distinguished from an old-growth forest (old growth or primeval forest), which have not
undergone such disruptions, as well as third-growth forests that result from severe disruptions in
second growth forests. http://indonesiaforest.co.cc/secondary_forest.html
5. (Indonesia) Secondary forest - Areas of mature natural forests extending over abandoned wild
shifting cultivation zones (Landang liar) and ever lands formerly occupied by primary forests
seriously damaged by fires. Source: D.C. Schwaar, Land capability appraisal Indonesia,
AGL/INS/72/011 Working Paper No.5, FAO 1973
http://www.fao.org/ag/agl/agll/landuse/clsys/Indonesia.htm
6. (Nicaragua) - Draft - Bosque Secundario: Area boscosa que se desarrolla una vez que la
vegetación original ha sido eliminada por actividades humanas y/o fenómenos naturales y se
encuentra en período de sucesión secundaria. www.nicarao.org.ni/ja (see Borrador de la ley,
CAPITULO II DEFINICIONES) Harrie <harnic@ibw.com.ni>
7. (syn. pioneer forest) Forest which has developed by secondary succession on deforested land,
such as land abandoned after shifting or settled agriculture, or after pasture.
http://www.itto.or.jp/policy/pds4/page5.html
8. (Thailand) secondary forest : forest which have been logged or cleared for other purposes, and
are regrowing but not fully regrown. These forests would be expected to have significantly lower
45
biomass densities than undisturbed forests of the same type. The report of Thailand's National
Greenhouse Gas Inventory, 1990. "Wilailak Pangtawaong" wpangtaw@deqp.go.th .
9. (UN FAO 2005, IPCC 2006) - Forest regenerated largely through natural processes after
significant human or natural disturbance of the original forest vegetation. 1. The disturbance may
have occurred at a single point in time or over an extended period; 2. The forest may display
significant differences in structure and/or canopy species composition in relation to nearby primary
forest on similar sites.
http://unfccc.int/files/methods_and_science/lulucf/application/pdf/060830_killmann.pdf
10. (World Bank 1999) Forest that is subject to a light cycle of shifting cultivation or to various
intensities of logging but that still contains indigenous trees and shrubs http://www-
wds.worldbank.org/servlet/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/1999/09/17/000178830_9810190152084
1/Rendered/INDEX/multi0page.txt
11. (World Bank 2000) Forest subject to a light cycle of shifting cultivation or to various intensities of
logging, but that still contains indigenous trees and shrubs. . http://www.holz.uni-
goettingen.de/ek/woodsat/pdf/worldbankforestry.pdf
12. (WWF) Forest that is regenerating after a greater or lesser degree of disturbance, often by
selective logging or agriculture; characterized by a lack of large trees and a large proportion of
pioneerspecies. http://www.worldwildlife.org/what/wherewework/congo/WWFBinaryitem2900.pdf
13. (Regrowth) Young forests that have regenerated after a previous forest has been cleared (often in
Latin America on abandoned former pastures).
http://greenplanet.eolss.net/EolssLogn/mss/C12/E1-02/E1-02-15/E1-02-15-TXT.aspx#Glossary
14. A forest that has been logged and has recovered naturally or artificially. Not all secondary forests
provide the same value to sustaining biological diversity, or goods and services, as did primary
forest in the same location. http://www.biodiv.org/programmes/areas/forest/definitions.asp
15. A new forest no more than 50 years or so claiming back disturbed areas, either by human
intervention or natural causes, such as fires, floods.
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/5974/
16. A woodland occupying a site that has not been wooded continuously throughout history [in Britain
since the last ice advance]. It may be the product of natural succession or of planting on formerly
unwooded land. In the tropics, secondary woodland [forest] is pure or regrowing following clear-
felling; it contains fewer species than primary forest (Allaby 1994). Helene M Cleveland CCMAIL
hmclevel@aec.apgea.army.mil
17. Following the first clearing (i.e., clearing of primary forests), the forest biomass may not recover
fully to its original density during the fallow period, but instead reaches a reduced level, referred to
as a secondary forest. http://www.ipcc-nggip.iges.or.jp/public/gl/guidelin/ch5ref3.pdf
18. Forest containing fast-growing trees which flourish after disturbance.
http://www.asiaforestnetwork.org/pub/pub29.pdf
19. Forest regenerating naturally after intense/drastic human and/or natural disturbance of the original
forest vegetation, and involving a major change in canopy species composition from that of
primary forests growing on similar site conditions in the area. Secondary forest can be said to
have reverted to primary forest when canopy species composition approaches that of primary
forest growing on similar site conditions in the area. http://www.biodiv.org/Forests/Glossary.html
20. Forest that has been subject to a light cycle of shifting cultivation or to various intensities of
logging, but which still contains indigenous trees and shrubs
http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/forests/en/en4_6.htm
21. Forest that has regenerated naturally after clearcutting, burning or other land clearing activities.
From the Glossary of Terms pp200 – 204 of Indigenous Forestry – Sustainable Management
(Ministry of Forestry and the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association Inc., January 1998).
22. Forest that is subject to a light cycle of shifting cultivation or to various intensities of logging but
that still contains indigenous trees and shrubs. http://www.wrm.org.uy/actors/WB/1991policy3.html
46
and https://www.uni-hohenheim.de/i490a/teaching/M4901-
430/ws_03_04/reading_materials/New_Neef_Schwarzmeier_Studie.pdf
23. Forest that is subject to various intensities of logging, or to a long cycle of shifting cultivation, but
that still contains indigenous trees and shrubs. http://www.wrm.org.uy/actors/WB/1994policy.html
24. Forest which, after destruction of the original vegetation (primary forest) as a result of human
activities (e.g. land clearing, anthropogenic fire), regenerates naturally, and is thus composed
mainly of natural vegetation in early successional stages. Though often associated specifically
with the tropics, the term is not limited to these: boreal and temperate forests left to natural
regeneration after clearcutting are also secondary forests. http://www.awi-
bremerhaven.de/WBGU/wbgu_sn1998_voll_engl.html#Heading67
25. Forests regenerating largely through natural processes after significant human or natural
disturbance, and which differ from primary forests in forest composition and/or canopy structure.
http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/deforest/deforest.html
26. Natural forest growth after some major interference (for example, logging, serious fire, or insect
attack). http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=1985&page=672
27. Second growth -- (a second growth of trees covering an area where the original stand was
destroyed by fire or cutting) http://www.notredame.ac.jp/cgi-bin/wn?forest
28. Secondary forests are forests regenerating largely through natural processes after significant
human and/or natural disturbance of the original forest vegetation at a single point in time or over
an extended period, and displaying a major difference in forest structure and/or canopy species
composition with respect to nearby primary forests on similar sites. Chokkalingam, Unna; Jong
,Wil De 2001. Secondary forest: a working definition and typology. International Forestry Review
3(1), 2001. http://www.cifor.cgiar.org/publications/pdf_files/secondaryforests.pdf and
http://www.cifor.cgiar.org/publications/pdf_files/articles/AChokalingam0101.pdf
29. The ecosystems that regenerate from a substantial disturbance (flood, fire, land clearing or
extensive and intensive logging) characterized by a scarcity of mature trees and an abundance of
pioneer species and a dense understory of saplings and herbaceous plants. Although secondary
forests frequently peak in terms of biomass accumulation well-within one felling cycle, the
transition to primary forests usually requires several rotation lengths, depending upon the severity
of the original disturbance. Irreversible transformation of the underlying soil and nutrient cycle
brought about by chronic or intense use may render it impossible for the original, primary forest
type to return. (further details will be addressed by FSC-approved national and regional standards
of forest stewardship). PRINCIPLES AND CRITERIA FOR FOREST STEWARDSHIP. Revised
March 1996, edited October 1996 http://www.metla.fi/archive/forest/1994/07/msg00035.html
and http://www.fscus.org/html/about_fsc/who_we_are/glossary_of_terms.html#s
30. The forest area that is rather cleared, includes some type of mixed deciduous forest, dry
dipterocarp forest, and forest area that is abandoned due to deforestation. Normally, it has lower
density of tree and also the size of the trees is considerable smaller.
http://www.gisdevelopment.net/aars/acrs/1997/ts5/ts5007pf.htm
31. Those woodlands growing on previously non-wooded sites. most woodland, even ancient
woodland , maybe secondary in nature as the site is likely to have been cleared at some time in
the past, usually for agriculture. plantations and shelterbelts are also secondary woodlands.
http://www.peakdistrict-nationalpark.info/place/glossary.html
32. Woodland formed on sites since 1600 AD which have formerly been under farmland, moorland or
some other non woodland use. http://www.angelfire.com/on3/wildberks/Glossary.htm
33. Woodland growing on a site that has either formerly been woodland or has been cleared at some
time http://www.tnw.org.uk/Note17.html
34. Woodland occupying a site that has not been wooded continuously since the last ice age. It may
be a product of natural succession or of planting on formerly unwooded land
http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/herts/reserves/glossary.html#Acid
47
35. Woodland that is growing on a site that was not previously wooded, for example, woodlands on
previous industrial sites, agricultural land or demolished building sites.
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/fol/edu_gloss.html
Semi-natural forests, woodlands
1. (UK) Woodland with natural characteristics (predominantly native species of trees, ground plants
and animals) where wood production is not a primary objective; this term is used rather than
natural because the woodland may have originally been planted or have been managed for wood
production in the past
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/ForestStats2006.nsf/byunique/glossary.html
2. (UN FAO 2005) - Forest/ other wooded land of native species, established through planting,
seeding or assisted natural regeneration. 1. Includes areas under intensive management where
native species are used and deliberate efforts are made to increase /optimize the proportion of
desirable species, thus leading to changes in the structure and composition of the forest. 2.
Naturally regenerated trees from other species than those planted/seeded may be present. 3. May
include areas with naturally regenerated trees of introduced species. 4. Includes areas under
intensive management where deliberate efforts, such as thinning or fertilizing, are made to
improve or optimise desirable functions of the forest. These efforts may lead to changes in the
structure and composition of the forest.
http://unfccc.int/files/methods_and_science/lulucf/application/pdf/060830_killmann.pdf
3. A forest that has a different species composition from natural forests in the area
http://fscus.org/html/standards_policies/us_regional_standards/archives/ozark_ouachita4.html
4. A stand which is composed predominantly of native trees and shrub species which have not been
planted. Also, a forest which has developed gradually or accidentally, as its location or site quality
was not suited for intensive exploitation or production-oriented management (e.g. in mountainous
regions). This kind of reconstruction of the natural forest cover can be or has been achieved by
using various silvicultural practices e.g., natural regeneration or selective thinning and in some
cases also planting. [Source: Definitions used in the Helsinki Process -
http://www.mmm.fi/english/minkonf/criteria.htm ]
5. A stand which is composed predominately of native trees and shrub species which have not been
established by artificial regeneration methods. Semi-natural forests do not include forest land that
is "undisturbed" by man (South 1998).
6. Forest areas where some of the principal characteristics and key elements of native ecosystems,
such as complexity, structure and diversity are present, given the physical parameters of climate,
geology, hydrology and successional patterns. http://www.canadian-forests.com/fsc-glossary.html
and additional FSC terms proposed in the December, 1996 FSC newsletter
7. Semi natural forests can be defined as neither a forest undisturbed by man nor a plantation as
defined separately. They represent mainly managed forests modified by man through silviculture
and assisted regeneration. http://www.biodiv.org/Forests/Glossary.html
8. Semi natural woodland may or may not be ancient but must contain a significant number of native
species of tree and ground flora that would be expected on a given soil type. It will also have been
subject to a low intervention management policy allowing natural conditions to develop.
http://www.leeds.gov.uk/fol/edu_gloss.html
9. Woodland, believed to be natural (not planted), mainly made up of native species . the woodland
may have been modified by humans e.g. coppiced , but retains significant nature conservation
interest. many semi-natural woodlands have only survived as they occur on land unsuitable for
farming such as steep sided limestone dales, rocky boulder strewn slopes beneath gritstone
edges or very wet areas. nearly all habitat sites in britain are generally regarded as semi-natural
rather than truly natural. http://www.peakdistrict-nationalpark.info/place/glossary.html
48
Urban Forest
1. All trees and other vegetation in and around dense human settlements.
http://hermes.richmond.edu/urbanforests/glossary.html
2. Created where people congregate and build communities. Since humans are the main inhabitants
of the urban forest, they largely determine the tree species in this forest.
http://www.lpb.org/programs/forest/glossary.html
3. For the purposes of micro-climate regulation, aesthetic value and water absorption, certain area
shall be designated as urban forest. http://www2.bonet.co.id/dephut/41-99-1.htm
4. Frests in, next to or nearby a specific urban area, of which the decision-making processes on
desirable functions are dominated by local actors and their objectives, resulting from their
perceptions, norms and values. Urban forestry is believed to differ structurally from forestry at
large in terms of the geographical location, structure and ownership of the forested area, as well
as in terms of the density of (recreation) facilities, actors involved in policy- making, major uses,
policy instruments and the occurrence of social conflicts and dynamics of policy processes.
http://www.efi.fi/publications/Working_Papers/12.html
5. The approach was to use an urban forest concept with the concept of the 20-20 rule. The 20-20
rule referred to development sites preserving 20% of total lot planting area and 20 trees per acre
being required as a measurement of urban forest.
http://www.cityofdenton.com/council/minutes/021798.html
6. The term we use for ALL the trees and woods within the Black Country.
http://www.nufu.org.uk/htmfiles/bcuf.html
7. The sum total of all vegetation growing in urban areas - www1.br.cc.va.us/.../module/
overview/A101a.htm
8. The trees, forests, and associated organisms that grow near buildings and in gardens, green
spaces, parks and golf courses located in village, town, suburban, and urban areas
http://www.forestry.utoronto.ca/ac_staff/emeritus/My%20Webs/english.htm
9. The trees, woodlands, woody shrubs, ground vegetation and associated green space within the
urban environment http://www.susdev.gov.mb.ca/wildlife/misc/glossary.html
10. The vast supply of recyclable paper produced in our cities, particularly office paper, represents a
considerable untapped resource and has been coined the “urban forest”.
http://www.foe.co.uk/camps/indpoll/paper.htm
11. Urban Forest - The current EMO defines urban forest as performing several functions. Two of
these functions require that an urban forest be located in the front of site along the roadway. Thus,
if a site has urban forest in the rear or along the sides, the urban forest does not qualify to meet
the 10 percent requirement. However, the EMO grants a credit (in the form of an increase in the
percentage of the actual area preserved) if the urban forest is preserved along the front of a site.
This is an obvious conflict in the EMO. Staff is proposing to correct this problem by clarifying that
an urban forest may perform any one of the functions itemized in the definition, but not necessarily
all of the functions. Thus, if a site has urban forest in the rear or the sides, it can qualify to meet
the 10 percent requirement. The definition of urban forest also states that an urban forest is
measured by using the tree drip line. The drip line of a tree represents the vertical projection (on
the ground) of the outer perimeter of the crown of a tree. The problem with utilizing the drip line of
a tree to measure urban forest is that measuring the drip line of a tree is not a standard technique
that is typically used in the field by site designers. This measurement is also difficult to obtain for
deciduous trees which lose their leaves in the fall. To correct this problem, staff is recommending
that the term drip line be replace with the term "critical protection zone." The critical protection
zone is a standard that is currently defined in the EMO and has been traditionally used and is
accepted by site designers to comply with the EMO’s tree removal section. The critical protection
zone is a circle surrounding a tree described by a radius of one foot for each inch of the diameter
of the trunk of a tree. A public hearing has been scheduled to be held on May 3, 1999, before the
49
Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Commission on Ordinance No. 99-O-0020. The Planning
Commission will review the ordinance for consistency with the Tallahassee-Leon County
Comprehensive Plan. http://fcn.state.fl.us/citytlh/agenda/1999/990512/29.htm
12. Urban or community forestry is the planning for, and management of, a community's forest
resources to enhance the quality of life. The process integrates the environmental, economic,
political, historical, and social values of the community to develop a comprehensive management
plan for the urban forest. A community in this definition is an area of human settlement in a rural or
metropolitan region. The urban or community forest includes the vegetation, open space, and
related natural resources of the area. http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/~forestry/guide/pref.html
13. We simply mean all trees and shrubs growing in populated areas.
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/education/shed.html
Virgin Forest:
1. Virgin - FRESH, UNSPOILED; specifically: not altered by human activity <a virgin forest
(http://www.m-w.com/dictionary)
2. Usullied or untouched; fresh, in a pure or natural state -
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Andes/7292/Terms.html
3. (Bolivia) BOSQUE VIRGEN: Aquel que no ha sufrido, por extracción de sus componentes,
alteraciones en su composición. Source: Luis Castello faopaf@caoba.entelnet.bo Adjunto sírvase
encontrar la versión no oficial y premilinar del Glosario Forestal elaborado por el Proyecto de
Apoyo a la Coordinación e Implementación del Plan de Acción Forestal para Bolivia
4. (Timber) -Timber from an original forest that has not been previously disturbed or influenced by
human activity (26) http://rredc.nrel.gov/biomass/forest/tim_glossary/t_glossary.html#O
5. (UKRAIN-2008) “Virgin forest” (or “primary forest”) means the natural forest virtually uninfluenced
by human activity means forest where there are no records of human direct activities on them;
http://www.carpathianconvention.org/NR/rdonlyres/F1E5FF02-9457-4FD8-A272-
721F097788A6/0/DraftProtocolonSustainableForestManagement.pdf
6. A forest never logged. http://www.nrdc.org/reference/glossary/a.asp
7. A forest that hasn't been affected by humans at all. http://www.nps.gov/olym/edgloss.htm
8. A forest where the hand of man has never yet set foot (Richard St. Barbe Baker, "My Life, My
Trees").
9. A mature or overmature forest essentially uninfluenced by human activity.
http://gfagrow.org/glossary.htm
10. A natural forest virtually uninfluenced by human activity. http://www.fs.fed.us/mrnf/faq/glossary.htm
11. According to Korpel (1995) the virgin forest is a “forest whose composition, development, growth
and other life processes are driven by the ecological parameters, primarily by the climate
characteristics“ http://notulaebotanicae.ro/nbha/article/viewFile/3308/3147
12. An area of old-growth trees that never has been harvested by humans.
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/Forests/Education/gloss.html and
http://www.landhelp.info/FramifyGlossary.php
13. An eastern forest characterized as being unaltered by European settlers, a forest in its original
state. USFS 1997.
14. Any area in which there has been virtually no human disturbance (e.g. burning, cutting, grazing) of
the original vegetation before European settlement [USA]. NOTE: In other countries, this term may
defined as an area containing very little introduced species, with very little human disturbance.
http://weber.u.washington.edu/~robh/S-7/EcolGlos.html
15. Čermak (1910) defines virgin forest as “a forest which looks like it was never touched by a
human“, http://notulaebotanicae.ro/nbha/article/viewFile/3308/3147
16. Forest in its natural state, untouched by man. http://www.paperonline.org/cfm/default.cfm
50
17. Forest that has never been disturbed by people, regardless of the age of its trees.
http://omega.cc.umb.edu/~conne/joel/definition.htm
18. Forest that have an absence of human effect - i.e. necessarily bases on a zero degree of human
anthropogeny. (Sheingauz and Karakin 1999)
19. Forests are those undisturbed by humans, and may not necessarily be old-growth.
http://www.metla.fi/archive/forest/1995/10/msg00206.html
20. Forests that have never been interfered with by man.
http://www.orf.at/orf/tv.sales/documentaries/page_29a.htm
21. Fragments or integral closed forest woodlands, having stable evolutionally formed mechanisms of
self-supporting and self-reproduction, and existing on the occupied territory for more than 2-3 life
periods of native forest former (draft Memorandum - Khabarovsk Conference, 1999).
22. Large forests that have been uncut, unused and undisturbed by man.
http://www.ohiokids.org/ohc/nature/glossary/glossaryt-x.html
23. Leibundgut (1993) describes such forest as “a forest untouched by humans, with enormous trees,
great volume of trunk, and hardly passable floor space with much dead wood“,
http://notulaebotanicae.ro/nbha/article/viewFile/3308/3147
24. Myths. Falls under the same heading as pristine forests. All forest have been impacted by humans
in some way on this continent. Indians are humans and did do land management practices such
as prescribed burning and harvesting of wood products (birch bark for birch bar canoes). "Ron
Muir" muir@forestry.auburn.edu
25. Natural woodland uninfluenced by human activity (E, 180
http://info.sjc.ox.ac.uk/forests/glossary.htm
26. Original natural forest unmodified by human intervention. From the Glossary of Terms pp200 –
204 of Indigenous Forestry – Sustainable Management (Ministry of Forestry and the New Zealand
Farm Forestry Association Inc., January 1998).
27. Rubner (1960) considers virgin forest to be “forest vegetation which belongs to the climatic climax
stage of vegetation in terms of development and growth“.
http://notulaebotanicae.ro/nbha/article/viewFile/3308/3147
28. Undisturbed natural forest, virtually uninfluenced by human activities, and usually containing old-
growth trees if the site has been free of natural disturbances.
http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/ssfor11.htm
29. Untouched forest - An area that has never been disturbed by human intervention, and is showing
natural development in structure and dynamics. The soil, climate, entire flora and fauna and the
life processes have not been disturbed or changed by timber management, cattle grazing, or other
direct or indirect anthropogenic influences. . [Source: Definitions used in the Helsinki Process -
http://www.mmm.fi/english/minkonf/criteria.htm]
30. Virgin - refers to a long period of development, untouched by humans, and lacking any visible
evidence of disturbance. http://wvnvm.wvnet.edu/~rlanden/oldgrth.htm
31. VIRGIN AREA: Any area in which there has been virtually no human disturbance (e.g., burning,
cutting, grazing) of the natural vegetation.. http://www.fw.vt.edu/zedaker/3364/ecolterms.html
32. Vrgin forest or primary forest - A natural, ancient forest that has been around for thousands of
years and that hasn’t been harmed by logging, mining, road-building, or development. More than
three-fourths of the Earth’s primary forests have already been destroyed due to humankind’s
activities. http://kids.ran.org/kidscorner/rainforests/wordup.html
See note at end of "original" forest.
Working Forest
1. (Canada-British Columbia 2003) “Working Forest” is defined as all Crown forest land in the
province that is outside of protected areas and parks.
51
http://archive.ilmb.gov.bc.ca/slrp/lrmp/policiesguidelinesandassessements/workingforest/docs/Wor
king_Forests_Jan22_Rev_web.pdf
FARM FORESTRY
1. (Australia) Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, Australia (AFFA) "The incorporation of commercial
tree growing into farming systems and includes plantations on farms. It takes many forms,
including timber belts, alleys and widespread tree plantings. Farm forestry can provide farmers
with an alternative source of income. It can also provide substantial environmental benefits such
as salinity control. (FFL 2009)
2. (Australia) Australian Forest Growers, Greening Australia, National Farmers Federation and
National Association of Forest Industries Joint Statement (1997)—industry groups. “The growth
and management of trees on farms, as part of the farm enterprise, for the purpose of producing
wood and/or non-wood products." (FFL 2009)
3. (Australia) Greening Australia Farm Forestry: "The management and use of trees on farms for
commercial purposes." (FFL 2009)
4. (Australia) National Farm Forestry Program—Australian Government funding program, 1995–
2000. “The incorporation of productive tree growing into farming systems. It improves agricultural
production by providing shelter for stock and crops. It also provides substantial environmental
benefits such as water table and salinity reduction." (FFL 2009)
5. (Australia) National Farm Forestry Roundtable (1999)—Federal Government Advisory Group.
“The incorporation of commercial tree crops into farming systems to complement conventional
agriculture with new products, as well as provide a capacity to enhance agricultural productivity
and achieve better resource management." (FFL 2009)
6. (Australia) NRE: “Tthe management of trees for a commercial purpose. Typically this is timber
plantations on private land. However it can be applied to a whole range of enterprises utilising
different parts of the tree and managed in a variety of ways." (FFL 2009)
7. (Australia) Western Australia CALM and AgWA -: "Commercial tree production on farmland." (FFL
2009)
8. Farm forestry - Commercial tree production on farmland.
http://www.nre.vic.gov.au/web/root/domino/infseries/infsheet.nsf/3b1939c497704dc14a25652e003
9a43b/962f757481adad504a25679c000c7c44?OpenDocument
9. Farm Forestry - Commercially focused forest operations on farmland. Typically in the form of
woodlots and timberbelts. See also Agroforestry.
http://www.mtg.unimelb.edu.au/tools/glossary.htm
10. Forest farming - cultivating high-value products within forested areas.
http://trochim.human.cornell.edu/gallery/mugo/hss.htm
11. Forest farming - http://www.unl.edu/nac/pubs/afnotes/ff-1/
FFL 2009. Other definitions of farm forestry and agroforestry. Forest Farm Line (FFL),
Australian Farm Growers. http://www.farmforestline.com.au/pages/1.1.1_other.html
FOREST HEALTH DEFINITIONS AND RELATED TERMS
Forest Health - In its broadest interpretation, forest health is the simply the condition of the forest.
The health may be deemed good or poor depending on the viewer's criteria. A plantation of exotic
tree species may be judge to be in good health from an industrial or utilitarian perspective if it is
vigorously growing and free from insect and disease problems. From a biological or ecological stand
point the same stand may be judged to be in poor health. Similarly, an old growth stand may be
ecologically healthy because of the diversity present, but from an economic perspective, may be
judged to be in poor health because of a decline in tree growth and the presence of insects and
52
disease. Forest health may be assessed by the presence or absence of agents. Forest health
agents (factors) are biotic and abiotic influences on the forest that are usually a naturally occurring
component of forest ecosystems. Biotic influences include fungi, insects, plants, animals, bacteria,
and nematodes. Abiotic influences include frost, snow, fire, wind, sun, drought, nutrients, and human-
caused injury http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/pab/publctns/GLOSSARY/F.htm.
1. desired forest health - A desired state of forest health is a condition where biotic and abiotic
influences do not threaten resource management objectives now or in the future
http://www.forestcouncil.org/fv/fv17/fv17.html
2. Forest ecosystem health - as a desired condition of forest ecosystems in which productivity of
multiple resources, and ecological values including biodiversity, are resilient to disturbance and
sustainable for the long-term. This definition considers forest health in a broad sense that
encompasses multiple resource productivity and ecological values over the long-term. In the
context of this definition, land management practices, pest activity, beneficial organisms, fire,
pollutants, storm damage, and other factors including climate change can individually or in
combination affect forest health in positive or negative ways. Appropriate integrated management
can enhance the positive effects on forest health, and prevent or mitigate the negative impacts of
most of these causal agents. Research approaches will emphasize development of technologies
to prevent or mitigate negative effects of pests and fire; and, emphasis will also be placed on
approaches and manipulative techniques that promote desired conditions and resiliency for the
long-term. http://www.fsl.orst.edu/home/usfs/fhealth/helthdef.htm
3. forest health - A condition of ecosystem sustainability and attainment of management objectives
for a given forest area. Usually considered to include green trees, snags, resilient stands growing
at a moderate rate, and endemic levels of insects and disease. Natural processes still function or
are duplicated through management intervention. - http://www.graylab.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?
forest+health
4. forest health - a condition of forest ecosystems that sustains their complexity while providing for
human needs." This definition encompasses the complex interactions of biological processes and
human judgments that enter into discussions of the concept called forest health.
http://www.idahoforests.org/health2.htm
5. Forest health - a condition wherein a forest has the capacity across the landscape to vigorously
renew itself, to recover from a wide range of disturbances, and to retain its ecological resiliency
while meeting current and future needs of people for desired levels of values, uses, products, and
services. http://www.nps.gov/shen/ps/nr/fh/ja10796.htm
6. Forest health - a condition wherein a forest has the capacity across the landscape for renewal, for
recovery from a wide range of disturbances, and for retention of its ecological resiliency, while
meeting current and future needs of people for desired levels of values, uses, products, and
services. http://www.rmrs.nau.edu/publications/rm_gtr_295/glossary.html
7. Forest health - a forest condition that is naturally resilient to damage; characterized by biodiversity,
it contains sustained habitat for timber, fish, wildlife, and humans, and meets present and future
resource management objectives. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/pab/publctns/GLOSSARY/F.htm
8. Forest health - a measure of the integrity of the entire forest ecosystem, including soil, water and
all native species, and the evolutionary and ecological processes that maintain them. This
definition recognizes that wildfire, tree pests and diseases are a normal part of well-functioning
forest ecosystems and generally should not be cause for concern. http://www.defenders.org/bio-
fh01.html
9. Forest health - a relative condition of a forest based on selected ecological indicators and the
collective value judgements of stakeholders of that forest.
http://www.for.nau.edu/forestry/forhlth/fh_doc.html#Suggested
10. Forest health - a term used for a collection of concerns over the alleged deterioration in forest
conditions, including both current problems (e.g., insect and disease infestations, wildfires, and
53
related tree mortality) and risks of future problems (e.g., too many small-diameter trees
(overstocking), excessive biomass, and an unnatural mix of tree species in mixed stands).
http://www.cnie.org/nle/AgGlossary/letter-f.html
11. Forest Health - Condition in which forest ecosystems sustain their complexity, diversity, resiliency,
and productivity. http://www.state.vt.us/anr/fpr/forestry/ucf/glossary.htm Vermont Forest Resource
Plan
12. Forest health agents (factors) - biotic and abiotic influences on the forest that are usually a
naturally occurring component of forest ecosystems. Biotic influences include fungi, insects,
plants, animals, bacteria, and nematodes. Abiotic influences include frost, snow, fire, wind, sun,
drought, nutrients, and human-caused injury.
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/pab/publctns/GLOSSARY/F.htm and MOF.http
://www.rpf-bc.org/forum/viewpointsnd98.html
13. health - the condition of the body and the degree to which it is free from illness, or the state of
being well http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?KEY=health*1%2B0&x=65&y=4
14. health - 1 a : the condition of being sound in body, mind, or spirit; especially : freedom from
physical disease or pain b : the general condition of the body <in poor health> <enjoys good
health> 2 a : flourishing condition : WELL-BEING <defending the health of the beloved oceans --
Peter Wilkinson> b : general condition or state <poor economic health> http://www.m-w.com/cgi-
bin/dictionary
15. healthy forest - A healthy, vigorous forest can be defined in biological and/or utilitarian land
management terms. In the utilitarian view it can be considered a resource that provides for basic
human needs and satisfaction of human wants. It provides products for human consumption
ranging from lumber and fibre to medicines and foods including herbs, fruits, nuts, and the meat
and hides of forest animals. It also provides nonconsumables relating to human enjoyment and
quality of life ranging from its effect on climate, air quality, water supply, soil preservation, wildlife
habitat, protection of biodiversity and ecological integrity to the provision of places for human
habitation and enjoyment, relaxing escape, traditional values and spiritual awareness. In the
biological sense it is a land base or terrestrial space that provides opportunity for trees to grow
and reproduce in a system beset with intra and interspecific competition for finite resources.
http://www.cciw.ca/forest-health/reports/sustainability-bioindicators/frip138/section1.html
16. healthy forests - distinguished by four qualitative attributes: 1. the physical environment, biotic
resources, and trophic networks to support productive forests during at least some seral stages, 2.
resistance to catastrophic change and/or the ability to recover from catastrophic change at the
landscape level, 3. a functional equilibrium between supply and demand of essential resources
(water, nutrients, light, growing space) for major portions of the vegetation, and 4. a diversity of
seral stages and stand structures that provide habitat for many native species and all essential
ecosystem processes. Kolb et al. (1994)
http://www.rmrs.nau.edu/publications/rm_gtr_295/chapter1.html (ALSO Discusses pros an cons of
various concepts).
17. Invasive plants - species that are not native to a region or country that have the ability to compete
with and replace native species in natural habitats. http://infoweb.magi.com/~ehaber/impact.html
18. Invasive species - those plants, animals, and microbes not native to a region which, when
introduced either accidentally or intentionally, out-compete native species for available resources,
produce prolifically, and dominate regions and ecosystems. http://www.invasivespecies.gov/
19. Resource conditions/products/well-being - represent derived interpretations or generalizations,
based on the key state variables of ecological and social systems. For instance, resource
conditions include the value of the landscape to a particular wildlife species, or the landscape’s
overall level of fragmentation. These assessments translate the enormous information contained
in the map of the ecological and social system into a much simpler metric - acres of suitable
54
habitat, fractal index - for a single value. http://provost.ucsd.edu/muir/Muir-
30/public_html/muir/frap.cdf.ca.gov/assessment/resource_cond.html
SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT DEFINITIONS
1. (Australia) Eologically sustainable forest management. This definition specifies three requirements
for sustainable forest use: • maintaining ecological processes within forests (the formation of soil,
energy flows, and the carbon, nutrient and water cycles); • maintaining the biological diversity of
forests; • increasing the net social benefit derived from the mixture of forest uses, within ecological
constraints, whilst maintaining options for the future.
http://www.rfa.gov.au/rfa/tas/raa/esfm/final/esfmfin3.html
2. (Canada-BC) Sustainable development: preservation and protection of diverse ecosystems-the
soil, plants, animals, insects and fungi while maintaining the forest's productivity.
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/pab/publctns/GLOSSARY/S.htm
3. (Canada-BC) Sustainable forest management - management regimes applied to forest land which
maintain the productive and renewal capacities as well as the genetic, species and ecological
diversity of forest ecosystems. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/pab/publctns/GLOSSARY/S.htm
4. (USA-STATE-Nevada) SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT—Describes those efforts to guide
economic growth, especially in less-developed countries, in an environmentally sound manner,
with an emphasis on natural resource conservation. http://www.state.nv.us/cnr/ndwp/dict-
1/WORD_S.htm
5. (USA-STATE-Nevada) SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT—A method of exploiting a resource that
can be carried on indefinitely. For example, the removal of water from an aquifer in excess of
recharge is, in the long term, not a sustainable management method.
http://www.state.nv.us/cnr/ndwp/dict-1/WORD_S.htm
6. (USA-STATE-Wisconsin) Sustainable Forestry- Managing our forests to meet the needs of people
today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This is
accomplished by growing, caring for, and harvesting trees for products while at the same time
conserving soil, air, water, water quality, and wildlife and fish habitat.
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/master_planning/Brule/Documents/PrefAlt.pdf
7. (USA-STATE-Wisconsin) Sustainable Forestry- The practice of managing dynamic forest
ecosystems to provide ecological, economic, social and cultural benefits for present and future
generations. Source: Wisconsin Administrative Code, Department of Natural Resources, Chapter
NR 44.03 http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/master_planning/Brule/Documents/PrefAlt.pdf
8. Maintain - 1 : to keep in an existing state (as of repair, efficiency, or validity) : preserve from failure
9. Sustain - 1 : to give support or relief to 2 : to supply with sustenance : NOURISH 3 : KEEP UP,
http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
10. Sustainability: A state or process that can be maintained indefinitely. The principles of
sustainability integrate three closely interlined elements—the environment, the economy and the
social system—into a system that can be maintained in a healthy state indefinitely.
http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/pab/publctns/GLOSSARY/S.htm
11. Sustainable - 2 a : of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the
resource is not depleted or permanently damaged <sustainable techniques> <sustainable
agriculture> http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary
12. Sustainable development - Development that meets the needs and aspirations of the current
generation without compromising the ability to meet those of future generations.
http://www.wri.org/wri/biodiv/gbs-glos.html
13. Sustainable development - Industrial development that does not detract from the potential of the
natural environment to provide benefits to future generations.
http://www.infomine.com/help/dictionary/s.html
55
14. Sustainable development - 'meeting the requirements of present generations without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'. Brundtland report in 1987
(WCED 1987) http://helios.bto.ed.ac.uk/ierm/research/sucre/cons4.htm
15. Sustainable development Human intervention that meets the needs and aspirations of the current
generation without compromising the ability to meet those of future generations.
http://glossary.gardenweb.com/glossary/sustainable_development
16. Sustainable Development is a process in which development does not deplete the earth's
resources or disturb fragile ecosystems http://www.netcore.ca/~gibsonjs/dict1g2.htm
17. Sustainable development. According to the WCED, this is "development that meets the needs of
the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
Sustainable development implies economic growth together with the protection of environmental
quality, each reinforcing the other. The essence of this form of development is a stable relationship
between human activities and the natural world, which does not diminish the prospects for future
generations to enjoy a quality of life at least as good as our own. Many observers believe that
participatory democracy, undominated by vested interests, is a prerequisite for achieving
sustainable development (Source: Mintzer, 1992). http://www.globalchange.org/glossall/glosss-
u.htm
18. sustainable forest management - management that maintains and enhances the long-term health
of forest ecosystems for the benefit of all living things, while providing environmental, economic,
social and cultural opportunities for present and future generations.
http://www.abforestprod.org/ARglossary.html
19. Sustainable forest management - Management to maintain and enhance the long-term health of
forest ecosystems, while providing ecological, economic, social and cultural opportunities (CSA
1995) http://www.forestry.ubc.ca/concert/evans.html#III
20. Sustainable forest management - means "good management" and utilisation of forests and
forested areas in such a way and at such intensity that their biological diversity, productivity and
regenerative capacity, their vitality, and their capacity to fulfil, now and for the future, their pertinent
ecological, economic and social functions at the local, national and global levels, be maintained,
without thereby doing harm to other ecosystems. Ministerial Conference of Helsinki (1993)
http://iufro.boku.ac.at/iufro/publications/occ-p9/occp9-1.htm
21. Sustainable forest management - Security benefits for human needs while maintaining the
structure, function and integrity of ecosystems on a bio-regional basis, incorporating in perpetuity
complete forest successions in each bio-region http://www.igc.org/habitat/treaties/at-27.htm and
http://nativenet.uthscsa.edu/archive/nl/9208/0081.html
22. Sustainable forest management - Stewardship and use of forests and forest lands in such a way,
and at a rate, that maintains their productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality and their potential to
fulfill now and in the future, relevant ecological, economic, and social functions, at local, national,
and global levels, and that does not cause damage to other ecosystems (MCPFE 1993).
http://www.forestry.ubc.ca/concert/evans.html#III and http://www.google.com/search?
q=cache:www.pefc.org/lisbon.htm+sustainable+forest+management+definition&hl=en Resolution
H1
23. Sustainable forest management - The process of managing permanent forest land to achieve one
or more clearly specified objectives of management with regard to the production of a continuous
flow of desired forest products and services without undue reduction of its inherent values and
future productivity and without undue undesirable effects on the physical and social environment.
Developed by Poore. (ITTO 1992). http://www.forestry.ubc.ca/concert/evans.html#III and
http://helios.bto.ed.ac.uk/ierm/research/sucre/cons4.htm
24. Sustainable forest management comprises all those direct and indirect measures of protection,
tending and utilization which ensure the permanent conservation of forests. Sustainable
management maintains the natural plasticity and diversity of lifeforms which enable forests to
56
evolve and provide human benefits from their ecological, economic, social and cultural functions in
perpetuity. Heuveldop (1994) http://helios.bto.ed.ac.uk/ierm/research/sucre/cons4.htm
OTHER DEFINITIONS
Biologically Important Forest is a forest that has remained in a natural or close to natural state, which
is considered a key area for the protection of forest-dependent species that need a certain
amount and quality of suitable habitat to survive and maintain vital populations. The criteria for
the selection of biologically important forests areas are defined on purely ecological bases.
The general BIF criteria, used first in the Baltic Forest Mapping (Kurlavicius et al. 2004) were
as follows: 1. Little or no signs of human influence; 2. Average age of stand more than X years;
3. Uneven age/canopy structure; presence of very old trees of previous tree generations; 4.
Considerable amount / long continuum of dead wood of different types, rich flora of wood
rotting fungi; 5. Large blocks of unfragmented forests; 6. Forests on steep slopes; 7.
Endangered vegetation types; 8. Rare forest-dependent species present; 9. Rare broadleaved
tree species present in the dominating canopy layer; 10. Forests after large-scale natural
disturbance and natural regeneration; 11. Small water courses; surface springs, flooded areas;
12. Limited access areas. http://www.hcvnetwork.org/resources/assessments/BRFM
%20report_English_low%20resolution.pdf
Closed Forest. Where trees cover a high proportion of the ground and where grass does not form a
continuous layer on the forest floor (e.g. broadleaved forests, coniferous forests, bamboo
forests). http://fiesta.bren.ucsb.edu/~idgec/publications/reports/forest.pdf
Gazetted forest is defined as depleted forest
http://www.lfpdc.lsu.edu/publications/working_papers/wp29.pdf
Open Forest. A mixed forest/grassland with at least 10 percent tree cover and a continuous grass
layer on the forest floor. http://fiesta.bren.ucsb.edu/~idgec/publications/reports/forest.pdf
Rain Forest The term rain forest is used here broadly, to cover tropical evergreen forests at low
elevations where the annual rainfall is greater than 2500 mm (true rain forests), and the much
more extensive moist deciduous tropical forests, also at low altitudes, where the annual rainfall
is 1000 – 2500 mm.
http://www.bioversityinternational.org/fileadmin/bioversityDocs/About_Us/Hosted_Services/Rai
n_Forest_Management_for_Wood_Production.pdf
Savanna Forest - is more or less leafless during the dry season, rarely evergreen, is xerophilous in
character, usually, often much less than 20 m high, park-like, very poor in underwood, lianes
and epiphytes, rich in terrestrial herbs, especially grasses. Sohimper (1903)
http://ia700508.us.archive.org/14/items/savannaafforesta034784mbp/savannaafforesta034784
mbp.pdf
Thorn Forest, - "Thorn forest, as regards foliage and average height, resembles navanna forest, but is
more xerophilous, is very rich in underwood and in slender-stemmed lianes, poor in terrestrial
herbs, especially in grasses, and usually has no epiphytes. Thorn plants are always plentiful."
Used loosely and in the African context the term. Sohimper (1903)
http://ia700508.us.archive.org/14/items/savannaafforesta034784mbp/savannaafforesta034784
mbp.pdf .
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57
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Most of the following were provided by Don Bertolette, Science Center, Grand Canyon National Park.
My thanks to Don for sharing his information.
58
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61
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URLs AND OTHER SUGGESTIONS
1. From: Michele Kaennel Dobbertin kaennel@wsl.ch - An electronic discussion group was created
last year within the framework of IUFRO Working Unit 6.03.02 ("Trends in forest terminology"),
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precisely with the same purpose of exploring the concepts of "old-growth forests," "natural
forests," primary forests," "virgin forests" and related terms. This list operated from January 20 to
June 27, 1997 and was moderated by Brian Haddon, from the Department of Natural Resources
of the Canadian Forest Service. You may find it worthwhile to check the archives of this list at
http://www.NRCan.gc.ca/hypermail/oldgrowth/
2. There are a few websites that have definitions for such terms. I cannot remember the ones I have
found but there is a link to some of them from our website. Go to www.rpf-bc.org and click on
links. You'll see something there that says glossary of terms and that should get you to a site that
should help. From: DYochim@rpf-bc.org
3. Off the top of my head you might try a search on Jerry Franklin (he has a number of papers,
books, reports out on the topic), Oliver and Smith do a good job of quantifying/qualifying old-
growth, one you didn't mention (climax) was originally dealt with by Clemens.
4. I presume that you are already aware of the following URL containing several publications by the
Southern Research Station titled "An Old-Growth Definition for ..." Here it is anyway.
http://www.srs.fs.fed.us/pubs/other_pubs.htm
5. From: "Crook, Gregory" GCrook@NRCan.gc.ca You may find some terms in: Dictionary of Natural
Resource Management, by Julian and Katherine Dunster. (UBC Press?)
6. From: "Nick Ananin" visfor@globalnet.co.uk There are a few links to definitions @
http://www.foresters.org/subject/ Let me know how you get on with the electronic search. It would
certainly be interesting if you could get a definition from all the countries of the world - China,
Russia etc. and make some comparisons. Perhaps you were doing that anyway but it would be
interesting to see how the definitions vary in each country with: % of land afforested, how much
ancient forest remains, tradition of forestry, % urban and rural population etc.
7. Look at Forest Stewardship Council Definitions used in their Principles and Criteria. They have
websites. Also Jerry Franklin's website. Sheila Helgath
8. From: "MacKinnon, Andy FOR:EX" Andy.Mackinnon@gems1.gov.bc.ca The November 1998 issue
of Natural Areas Journal will contain 3 articles about B.C.'s old-growth forests, including "Old-
growth definitions for the forests of British Columbia, Canada" by Ralph Wells, Sari Saunders and
Ken Lertzman. This paper provides an excellent overview of "various terms and definitions
describing...old growth" - for our part of the world, at least. I've cc'd this e-mail to Dr. Wells, who
can send you a copy of the article.
9. From: "W. T. Haswell" <wthaswell@proaxis.com I only just today accessed your page on old
growth definitions. I was surprised to see that none of the landmark papers on definitions of old
growth in the PNW were included. The classic papers are by Spies and Franklin, and are too
numerous for me to list (dozens). The Old Growth Definition Task Force report also didn't make
your list which was the first scientifically integrated set of definitions formally chartered by the FS
and BLM. Other papers on your list (e.g. Bolsinger and Wadell) use definitions that actually varied
from forest to forest, since each forest had its own inventory definition. Early work is cited along
with a summary of the Old Growth Definitions Task Force in Old Growth and Forest Dynamics in
the Douglas-Fir Region of Western Oregon and Washington. Thomas A. Spies and Jerry F.
Franklin. Natural Areas Journal, 8(3), 1988, pp190-201. Old-Growth Definition Task Group. 1986.
Interim definitions for old-growth Douglas-fir forests in the PNW and California. USDA FS. Pacific
NW Research Station Research Note PNW-447, Portland, Oregon. 7p. Spies and Franklin also
have several papers in Wildlife and Vegetation of Unmanaged Douglas-Fir Forests. Leonard F.
Ruggiero, et al. USDA FS PNW Research Station, Portland, Oregon. General Technical Report
PNW-GTR-285, May 1991. Their papers that appear in this book include these ones (names
abbreviated) : Ecological Definitions of Old-growth Douglas-Fir Forests, Franklin and Spies. pp61-
69 The Structure of Natural Young, Mature, and Old-Growth Douglas-Fir Forests in Oregon and
Washington by Spies and Franklin. pp91-109. The Ecol Def paper has a nice section on the
historical development of definitions. FEMAT and ICEBMP documents also reference and
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summarize a substantial amount of work relevant to the PNW both Westside and Eastside areas
respectively. The SNEP report (Sierra Nevada) covers Central and Northern California and
includes definitions. All are available on-line, Be warned that ICEBMP and SNEP are very
massive. SNEP is available on CD and ICEBMP will be I believe. All these documents reference
the above cited works which are the original sources, and all have glossaries where document
specific definitions are adopted for old-growth, late seral stands, etc. SNEP:
http://ceres.ca.gov/snep/ FEMAT: http://www.fsl.orst.edu/usfs/fhealth/femat.htm CEBMP:
http://www.icbemp.gov/
10. From: "MacKinnon, Andy FOR:EX" Andy.Mackinnon@gems1.gov.bc.ca The three articles about
B.C.'s old-growth forests that I believe I mentioned in an earlier e-mail will appear in the October
or November 1998 issue of Natural Areas Journal: 1. Old-growth deinitions for the forests of
British Columbia by Ralph Wells, Sari Saunders, and Ken Lertzman. 2. Old-growth forests
inventory for British Columbia by Andy MacKinnon and Terje Vold. 3. Old-growth forests in British
Columbia: Assessment of functional old-growth status: a case study in the Sub-Boreal Spruce
Zone by Dan Kneeshaw and Phil Burton. A fourth article is in preparation for eventual publication
in NAJ: 4. Old-growth forests in British Columbia: North American and global context. by Doug
Hopwood.
*****
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