ASTM D7480-08(2014)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Evaluating the Attributes of a Forest Management Plan
Standard Guide for Evaluating the Attributes of a Forest Management Plan
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This guide is intended to be used by developers of standards and other documents in the field of renewable resources and green building to evaluate whether the attributes of a specific forest management system meet the intent of sustainable forest management.
5.2 In addition to the attributes addressed by this document, some users may wish to impose other evaluation criteria intended to satisfy goals beyond maintaining sustained-yield and sustainable forest management. While these issues are not specifically addressed in this guide, some are discussed in Appendix X1, Commentary.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides a list of criteria and indicators that have been shown to be useful in achieving the goals of a sustainable forest management plan. This guide lists a set of criteria considered to be important for the following tasks:TABLE 1 Criteria 1–6
Criterion
Element
Indicator
1. Conservation of biological diversity
1.1 Ecosystem diversity
1.1a Area and percent of forest by forest ecosystem type, successional stage, age class, and forest ownership or tenure
1.1b Area and percent of forest in protected areas by forest ecosystem type and by age class or successional stage
1.1c Fragmentation of forests
1.2 Species diversity
1.2a Number of native forest associated species
1.2b Number and status of native forest associated species at risk, as determined by legislation or scientific assessment
1.2c Status of on site and off site efforts focused on conservation of species diversity
1.3 Genetic diversity
1.3a Number and geographic distribution of forest associated species at risk of losing genetic variation and locally adapted genotypes
1.3b Population levels of selected representative forest associated species to describe genetic diversity
1.3c Status of on site and off site efforts focused on conservation of genetic diversity
2. Maintenance of productive capacity of forest ecosystems
2.a Area and percent of forest land and net area of forest land available for wood production
2.b Total growing stock and annual increment of both merchantable and non-merchantable tree species in forests available for wood production
2.c Area, percent, and growing stock of plantations of native and exotic species
2.d Annual harvest of wood products by volume and as a percentage of net growth or sustained yield
2.e Annual harvest of non-wood forest products
3. Maintenance of forest ecosystem health and vitality
3.a Area and percent of forest affected by biotic processes and agents (for example, disease, insects, invasive species) beyond reference conditions
3.b Area and percent of forest affected by abiotic agents (for example, fire, storm, land clearance) beyond reference conditions
4. Conservation and maintenance of soil and water resources
4.1 Protective Function
4.1a Area and percent of forest whose designation or land management focus is the protection of soil or water resources
4.2 Soil
4.2a Proportion of forest management activities that meet best management practices or other relevant legislation to protect soil resources
4.2b Area and percent of forest land with significant soil degradation
4.3 Water
4.3a Proportion of forest management activities that meet best management practices, or other relevant legislation, to protect water related resources
4.3b Area and percent of water bodies, or stream length, in forest areas with significant change in physical, chemical, or biological properties from reference conditions
5. Maintenance of forest contribution to global carbon cycles
5.a Total forest ecosystem carbon pools and fluxes
5.b Total forest product carbon pools and fluxes
5.c Avoided fossil fuel carbon emissions by using forest bioma...
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D7480 − 08 (Reapproved 2014)
Standard Guide for
Evaluating the Attributes of a Forest Management Plan
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7480; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This guide provides a list of criteria and indicators that
have been shown to be useful in achieving the goals of a
2. Referenced Documents
sustainable forest management plan. This guide lists a set of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
criteria considered to be important for the following tasks:
D9 Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Prod-
1.1.1 To describe, assess, and evaluate progress toward
ucts
sustainabilityofforestmanagementatthenational,regional,or
individual forest level.
3. Terminology
1.1.2 To inform the policy debate at regional, national, and
3.1 Definitions—Standard definitions of wood terms are
international levels.
given in Terminology D9.
1.1.3 To evaluate the attributes of a forest management
certification or evaluation system with a specific combination
3.2 Definitions of Terms Related to the Field of Forestry:
of forest management principles, practices, or adaptations,
3.2.1 criterion, n—a category of conditions or processes by
where such practices are evaluated against a set of prescribed
which sustainable forest management may be assessed. A
standards. Although this guide provides a qualitative list of
criterion is characterized by a set of related indicators which
criteria for evaluation of forest conditions, it does not purport
are monitored periodically to assess change.
to recommend any specific forest management certification or
Montréal Process
evaluation system or subset of overall attributes. The guide
3.2.2 criterion indicator, n—a measure (measurement) of an
does not replace forest certification or verification standards.
aspect of the criterion. A quantitative or qualitative variable
1.2 This guide will require compilation of information from
which can be measured or described and which when observed
multiple sources across various governmental and nongovern-
periodically demonstrates trends. Montréal Process
mental agencies. For this guide to be useful, it is recommended
3.2.3 ecosystem, n—a dynamic complex of plant, animal,
that the information collected is in alignment with that which
fungal, and micro-organism communities and the associated
is already collected for other purposes; otherwise these indi-
non-living environment with which they interact.
cators may be too great an effort to combine in a timely
Montréal Process
fashion.
3.2.4 forest management practice, n—a specific activity,
NOTE 1—Although this document provides general guidance applicable
measure, course of action, or treatment. USFS
to forests and forest products from many countries, its initial application
is expected to focus on North America.
3.2.5 forest type, n—a category of forest defined by its
1.3 This guide cannot replace education or experience and
vegetation, particularly composition, or locality factors, or any
should be used in conjunction with professional judgment such
combination thereof, as categorized by each country in a
as that provided by foresters, forest scientists, and wood
system suitable to its situation. Montréal Process
technologists.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
“Criteria and Indicators for the Conservation and Sustainable Management of
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D07 on Wood and is Temperate and Boreal Forests,” The Montréal Process, Third Edition, December
the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.08 on Forests. 2007, Online, available, http://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/mpci/meetings/an-6.pdf, 1 De-
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2014. Published February 2014. Originally cember 2008.
approved in 2008. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D7480–08. DOI: Available from the United States Forestry Service (USFS), 1400 Independence
10.1520/D7480-08R14. Ave., SW Washington, DC 20250-0003, http://www.fs.fed.us.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7480 − 08 (2014)
TABLE 1 Criteria 1–6
Criterion Element Indicator
1. Conservation of biological 1.1 Ecosystem diversity 1.1a Area and percent of forest by forest ecosystem type, successional stage, age class,
diversity and forest ownership or tenure
1.1b Area and percent of forest in protected areas by forest ecosystem type and by age
class or successional stage
1.1c Fragmentation of forests
1.2 Species diversity 1.2a Number of native forest associated species
1.2b Number and status of native forest associated species at risk, as determined by
legislation or scientific assessment
1.2c Status of on site and off site efforts focused on conservation of species diversity
1.3 Genetic diversity 1.3a Number and geographic distribution of forest associated species at risk of losing
genetic variation and locally adapted genotypes
1.3b Population levels of selected representative forest associated species to describe
genetic diversity
1.3c Status of on site and off site efforts focused on conservation of genetic diversity
2. Maintenance of productive 2.a Area and percent of forest land and net area of forest land available for wood
capacity of forest ecosystems production
2.b Total growing stock and annual increment of both merchantable and non-merchantable
tree species in forests available for wood production
2.c Area, percent, and growing stock of plantations of native and exotic species
2.d Annual harvest of wood products by volume and as a percentage of net growth or
sustained yield
2.e Annual harvest of non-wood forest products
3. Maintenance of forest 3.a Area and percent of forest affected by biotic processes and agents (for example,
ecosystem health and vitality disease, insects, invasive species) beyond reference conditions
3.b Area and percent of forest affected by abiotic agents (for example, fire, storm, land
clearance) beyond reference conditions
4. Conservation and maintenance 4.1 Protective Function 4.1a Area and percent of forest whose designation or land management focus is the
of soil and water resources protection of soil or water resources
4.2 Soil 4.2a Proportion of forest management activities that meet best management practices or
other relevant legislation to protect soil resources
4.2b Area and percent of forest land with significant soil degradation
4.3 Water 4.3a Proportion of forest management activities that meet best management practices, or
other relevant legislation, to protect water related resources
4.3b Area and percent of water bodies, or stream length, in forest areas with significant
change in physical, chemical, or biological properties from reference conditions
5. Maintenance of forest 5.a Total forest ecosystem carbon pools and fluxes
contribution to global carbon 5.b Total forest product carbon pools and fluxes
cycles 5.c Avoided fossil fuel carbon emissions by using forest biomass for energy
6. Maintenance and enhancement 6.1 Production and consumption 6.1a Value and volume of wood and wood products production, including primary and
of long-term multiple socio- secondary processing
economic benefits to meet the 6.1b Value of non-wood forest products produced or collected
needs of societies 6.1c Revenue from forest based environmental services
6.1d Total and per capita consumption of wood and wood products in round wood
equivalents
6. Maintenance and enhancement 6.1 Production and consumption 6.1e Total and per capita consumption of non-wood products
of long-term multiple socio- 6.1f Value and volume in round wood equivalents of exports and imports of wood products
economic benefits to meet the 6.1g Value of exports and imports of non-wood products
needs of societies 6.1h Exports as a share of wood and wood products production and imports as a share of
wood and wood products consumption
6.1i Recovery or recycling of forest products as a percent of total forest products
consumption
6.2 Investment in the forest sector 6.2a Value of capital investment and annual expenditure in forest management, wood and
non-wood product industries, forest-based environmental services, recreation, and tourism
6.2b Annual investment and expenditure in forest-related research, extension and
development, and education
6.3 Employment and community 6.3a Employment in the forest sector
needs 6.3b Average wage rates, annual average income, and annual injury rates in major forest
employment categories
6.3c Resilience of forest-dependent communities
6.3d Area and percent of forests used for subsistence purposes
6.3e Distribution of revenues derived from forest management
D7480 − 08 (2014)
TABLE 1 Continued
Criterion Element Indicator
6.4 Recreation and tourism 6.4a Area and percent of forests available or managed for public recreation and tourism, or
both
6.4b Number, type, and geographic distribution of visits attributed to recreation and tourism
and related to facilities available
6.5 Cultural, social and spiritual 6.5a Area and percent of forests managed primarily to protect the range of cultural, social
needs and values and spiritual needs and values
6.5b The importance of forests to people
3.2.6 forestry, n—forestry is the science and art of attaining from recycled content. COC is typically third party audited in
desired forest conditions and benefits to sustain and enhance accordance with forest certification/verification programs.
forest resources for diverse benefits in perpetuity.
3.3.5 forestry materials—materials derived from the prac-
Society of American Foresters
tice of planting and caring for forests and the management of
3.2.7 monitoring, n—the periodic and systematic measure- growing timber. Such materials must come from short rotation
ment and assessment of change of an indicator. woody crops (less than ten years old), sustainably managed
Montréal Process forests, wood residues, or forest thinnings.
3.2.8 sustainable forest management, n—the practice of 3.3.6 other acceptable sources—other acceptable sources
meeting the forest resource needs and values of the present refers to forest content that, while not from a certified forest,
generations with a goal of preserving the similar capacity of can be verified as not coming from a non-acceptable source as
future generations. Sustainable forest management involves defined by the certification program.
practicing a land stewardship ethic that integrates the
3.3.7 non acceptable sources—illegal or unauthorized har-
reforestation, managing, growing, nurturing, and harvesting of
vesting as defined by the forest certification programs refer-
tress for useful products with the conservation of soil, air, and
enced in this guideline.
water quality; wildlife and fish habitat; and aesthetics.
3.3.8 procurement system—asystemrequiringorganizations
Dictionary of Forestry
buying raw materials to have an auditable procurement process
3.2.9 sustained-yield, n—the achievement and maintenance
designed to improve forest management on all suppliers’ lands
over multigenerational timeframes of a high-level annual or
and ensure all fiber comes from known and legal sources.
regular periodic output of the various renewable resources of
3.3.9 wood-based product—any material which consist of a
the forest without impairment of its productivity. USFS
minimum of 90 % of forest materials as measured by either
3.3 Additional Terms Related to Sustainability and
weight or volume.
Certification/Verification Programs:
3.3.1 biobased product—a commercial or industrial product
4. Summary of Guide
(other than food or feed) that is composed, in whole or in
4.1 The criteria and indicators listed under Sections 6 and 7
significant part, of biological products or renewable agricul-
apply broadly to temperate and boreal forests. They are
tural materials (including plant, animal, and marine materials)
intended to provide a common understanding of what is meant
or forestry materials.
by sustainable forest management. Section 6 provides a com-
3.3.2 certified forest content—certified forest content is
mon framework for describing, assessing, and evaluating a
tracked through a chain of custody process either by physical
country’s progress toward sustainability at the national or
separation or percentage based approaches.
regional level. Section 7 provides smaller-scale systems, plans,
3.3.3 certified wood (or wood-based product)—derived/ and practices to assess sustainability at the individual forest
management level.
manufactured from an acceptable content of raw material from
certified forest, other acceptable sources and recycled content
4.2 The criteria and indicators are intended to provide an
as determined by a credible and reliable forest certification
international reference for policy-makers in the formulation of
programs.Certifiedwoodorwood-basedproductscomplywith
national and regional policies and a basis for international
all applicable standards for their intended use as required by
cooperation aimed at supporting sustainable forest manage-
the International Building Code and related Codes.
ment. Internationally agreeable criteria and indicators will help
3.3.4 chain of custody (COC)—adefinedprocessthatallows to clarify ongoing dialogues related to international trade in
companies to make claims about how much of the fiber in their
products from sustainably managed forests.
product comes from certified forests, how much fiber comes
4.3 The additional terms related to sustainability and
from acceptable sources, and how much of the fiber comes
certification/verification systems (see 3.3) are included in this
guide to provide a common reference for these terms that are
commonly associated (either directly or indirectly) with prod-
Available from the Society of American Foresters (SAF), 5400 Grosvenor
ucts derived from sustainably managed forests.
Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814-2198, http://www.safnet.org.
Helms, J. A., ed., The Dictionary of Forestry, Society of American For
...
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