Sustainability Impact Assessment of Forest Management Alternatives in Europe: an Introductory Background and Framework

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Adaptation of forest management practices in the context of rapid climatic and socioeconomic changes is a global concern. Stakeholders in the forest-based sector as well as policy makers need improved methods and tools to assess potential impacts of changes in management on sustainability indicators. In this special feature, we introduce a methodological framework for classification of forest management approaches in European forestry and explore how changes in forest management might affect the delivery of various ecosystem goods and services and appropriate sustainability indicators over time and space from local to continental scales. The complementary papers in this special feature explore different aspects of sustainability and risks in representative European forest systems as affected by forest management. We show how a common framework plus supporting growth models and indicators can be used to examine the effects of management on ecosystem services and so provide a first step toward the development of a more integrated approach for strategic forest planning and sustainable use of forest ecosystems.

Fertilization using sewage sludge in unfertile tropical soils increased wood production in Eucalyptus plantations

“…The wood is used to manufacture pulp and paper, to produce charcoal, or for furniture; additionally, it can provide other ecosystem services such as sawmilling, panels, packaging, specialty chemicals, etc. (Carnus et al, 2012). From an environmental perspective, wood production can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by fixing CO 2 (Miehle et al, 2006;Ramlal et al, 2009) and generating biofuel (Gonzalez et al, 2011;Zhu and Pan, 2010).…”

Sustainability Impact Assessment of Forest Operations: a Review

“…Sieber et al [15] presented SIA tools for policy advice with special regard to land use. In the context of forestry, the software ToSIA (Tool of Sustainability Impact Assessment) was introduced and discussed [16][17][18][19] and applied following the first years after development at least by [20][21][22][23][24] to assess the sustainability of alternative forestwood chains and wood products.…”

Environmental Justice and Sustainability Impact Assessment: In Search of Solutions to Ethnic Conflicts Caused by Coal Mining in Inner Mongolia, China

“…In practice, economic and social indicators and criteria have been used, in addition to environmental ones, for assessing sustainability [28]. For example, Becker presents an overview on sustainability indicators for assessing economic, environmental, and social sustainability which includes "equity coefficients (Gini coefficient, Atkinson's weighted index of income distribution), disposable family income, and social costs, participation, and tenure rights [26].…”