12. Sustainable Forests
The value of forests and forest land for biological production must be protected, at the same time as biological diversity and cultural heritage and recreational assets are safeguarded.
This objective is intended to be achieved within one generation.
The outcome within a generation for this environmental quality objective should include the following:
- The natural productive capacity of forest land will be preserved.
- The natural functions and processes of forest ecosystems will be maintained.
- Natural regeneration is practised where the land is suitable for this method.
- The natural hydrology of forests will be protected.
- No remedial measures will be taken against the effects of forest fires.
- Forests with valuable natural and cultural heritage assets, and in need of management, will be managed in such a way as to preserve and enhance those assets.
- Forests where there is great variation in the age of the trees and the composition of tree species will be protected.
- Cultural monuments and environments will be protected.
- The importance of forests as means of experiencing nature and enjoying outdoor recreation will be safeguarded so that forests contribute to good public health.
- Threatened species and habitat types will be protected.
- There will be viable populations of native plant and animal species living in natural conditions.
- Threatened species will be able to spread to new sites within their natural ranges, ensuring viable populations.
- Alien species and genetically modified organisms that could threaten biodiversity will not be introduced.
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The Environmental Objectives Council’s assessment is that the objective Sustainable Forests will be very difficult or not possible to achieve by 2020, even if further action is taken. No clear trend in the state of the environment can be seen.
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The interim targets flesh out the environmental quality objectives by describing the situation in a given year.