Example positioning of active management relative to associated concepts in an 'instrumental' path, which applies a philosophy of sustainable forest management and an adaptive management paradigm with the intended outcome of healthy adaptive forests. Credit: Australian Forestry (2024). DOI: 10.1080/00049158.2024.2381846
Acting President of Forestry Australia Dr. Bill Jackson says "active management" is a common term in Government and forest stakeholder reports, policies, and strategies in Australia and around the world, but up until now, it has not been well defined.
A new , "Active management: a definition and considerations for implementation in forests of temperate Australia," published in the journal, Australian Forestry, "Explores where active management sits in relation to a sometimes-confusing array of related concepts including passive management and adaptative management," Dr. Jackson said.
Dr. Jackson said the paper answers questions around active management—and how it relates to forest management—by stating that active management is principally about human engagement in shaping forests and is the deliberate tending of forests by humans for diverse purposes and goals relating to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem services and functions, including resilience.
"The definition reflects the need to ensure forests have ongoing attention and that appropriate management practices are applied," Dr. Jackson said.
"The definition allows for broad and inclusive approaches (including more 'minimal intervention' approaches) to forest management, which is in contrast to more rigid forest management approaches which may otherwise exclude communities or social and cultural practices.
"Australia's changing social and environmental contexts and the shifting relationships of society with forests calls for a new vision for forests, clear definitions, and fresh, evidence-based approaches to forest management.
"This paper and definition will serve as a valuable resource for all forest and land managers, policy makers and stakeholders looking to incorporate active management into their practice.
"The authors note the importance of having an adaptive management framework to guide active management, delivering healthy and resilient forests and the environmental, social, economic and cultural benefits they provide in perpetuity," Dr. Jackson said.
More information: L. T. Bennett et al, Active management: a definition and considerations for implementation in forests of temperate Australia, Australian Forestry (2024).
Provided by Forestry Australia
