Boreal Conservation planning

WCS Canada Comments - Forest Degradation (followup 1)

Harris, L., Poley, L., Ray, J. & Cooke, H.

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Key points

1. The draft definition is very limited – it applies only to forests that are permanently and severely degraded by human activity.
2. The term “significant” places too much emphasis on severe degradation.
3. The draft definition overlooks ecological integrity as a benchmark and corollary of forest degradation.
4. The terms “lasting” and “significant” complicate the development of monitoring and metrics.
5. The draft definition does not expand on “benchmark conditions” and whether these are still framed around sustainable forest management.
6. International alignment needs strengthening.

Abstract

WCS Canada’s recommendations to the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers on the draft definition of the term “forest degradation”. This follows a workshop in June, and submission of previous comments in April 2023.

Recommended citation

Harris, L., Poley, L., Ray, J. & Cooke, H. (2023). WCS Canada Comments - Forest Degradation (followup 1). WCS Canada. https://library.wcs.org/DesktopModules/Bring2mind/DMX/API/Entries/Download?EntryId=49609&PortalId=96