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Forest certification: setting the standard for improved wildlife management in tropical forests

Forest certification: setting the standard for improved wildlife management in tropical forests. Tim Rayden, ProForest, UK. Introduction. Problems relating to logging in tropical forests Forest certification as a tool to promote better management Env elements of certification process

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Forest certification: setting the standard for improved wildlife management in tropical forests

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  1. Forest certification: setting the standard for improved wildlife management in tropical forests Tim Rayden, ProForest, UK

  2. Introduction • Problems relating to logging in tropical forests • Forest certification as a tool to promote better management • Env elements of certification process • Key issues for certification in tropical areas

  3. The problem • Tropical forests not being managed sustainably • Deforestation & land conversion • Increased hunting of wildlife

  4. A stick, but no carrot • Common need for a credible mechanism to incentivise good practice

  5. What is Forest Certification? • A process in which an independent organisation verifies that a forest holding is being managed in accordance with a specified standard. • A means by which a company can demonstrate good practice and receive recognition.

  6. Origins: • Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) established in 1993 • Other certification schemes have followed e.g. • SFI • CSA • PEFC

  7. 7% of global forest area (FAO) under certification • 24% of Global industrial roundwood production • Data from UNECE Forest Products annual market review

  8. Can certification tackle the problem of bushmeat hunting? • Standard of good practice • Compliance is verified • System of monitoring continual compliance

  9. FSC Standard: 10 Principles and criteria • 1 Legal compliance • 2 Tenure and use rights • 3 Indigenous peoples rights • 4 Community relations and workers rights • 5 Benefits from the forest • 6 Environmental impact • 7 Management plan • 8 Monitoring and assessment • 9 High Conservation Value Forests • 10 Plantations

  10. Principle 6:“Forest management shall conserve biodiversity and its associated values…” • 6.1 Assessment of environmental impacts shall be completed… • 6.2 Safeguards shall exist which protect rare, threatened and endangered species and their habitats (e.g. nesting and feeding areas). Conservation zones shall be established… Inappropriate hunting, fishing and trapping and collecting shall be controlled. • 6.3 Ecological functions and values shall be maintained intact, enhanced or restored, including: forest regeneration and succession, genetic, species and ecosystem diversity, natural cycles that affect the productivity of the forest ecosystem.

  11. Principle 9: Maintenance of High Conservation Value Forests: • Management activities in High Conservation Value Forests shall maintain or enhance the attributes that define such forests • An assessment of HCVF ..shall be conducted.. • Six ‘values’: • Species • Ecosystems • Landscapes • Env Services • Basic needs • Cultural values

  12. How the standard is used • National interpretation of the P&C with greater specificity • Requires national multi-stakeholder working group • Wide consultation and review • Approved by FSC international • Certification body interim standards • Also requires consultation and approval • Certification checklist • Indicators • Verifiers

  13. Verification of compliance • Independent, qualified audit team • Consultation and review of findings • Crucial role of the auditor

  14. Monitoring • By the CB: • Annual surveillance audits • Re-audit after 5 years • By the company: • Must demonstrate ‘adaptive management’ using the results of its own monitoring

  15. Is certification having an impact?

  16. However, • One or two examples where logging companies have dramatically improved their activities and become certified. • Many more working on ‘transition’

  17. Conclusions: • Certification can help: • Setting a standard for responsible practice & providing a process for checking compliance • Consultative process allows stakeholders to have input

  18. Opportunities: • Standards working groups • Consultation and review of draft standards • Defining HCVF • Participation in audits • Consultation and review of audit findings

  19. Requirements • Wildlife biologists need to be involved • Be clear on what management measures should be in place and how their effectiveness can be verified • Be prepared to compromise • Be prepared to move beyond pure science

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