http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/authors/read/19252 Publications by T. Niemann en-ca 2005-10-31 00:00:00 MST 2005-10-31 00:00:00 MST webmaster@nofc.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=25817 Soil disturbance guidelines should be based on comparable disturbance categories adapted to specific local soil conditions, validated by monitoring and research. Guidelines, standards, and practices should be continually improved based on an adaptive management process, which is presented in this paper. Core components of this process include: reliable monitoring protocols for assessing and comparing soil disturbance for operations, certification and sustainability protocols; effective methods to predict the vulnerability of specific soils to disturbance and related mitigative measures; and, quantitative research to build a database that documents the practical consequences of soil disturbance for tree growth and soil functions. Mon, 31 Oct 2005 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=25817 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=25818 International protocols, such as those of the Montreal Process (MP), specify desired outcomes without specifying the process and components required to attain those outcomes. We suggest that the process and its components are critical to achieve desired outcomes. We discuss recent progress in northwestern North America, on three topics that will facilitate development of and reporting in sustainability protocols: (1) common terms and comparable guidelines for soil disturbance, (2) cost-effective techniques for monitoring and assessing soil disturbance, and (3) improved methods to rate soils for risk of detrimental soil disturbance. Uniform terms for soil disturbance will facilitate reporting and exchange of information. Reliable monitoring techniques and tracking the consequences of soil disturbance for forest growth and hydrology are paramount for improving understanding and predictions of the practical consequences of forest practices. To track consequences, we urge creation of regional research and operations databases that can be used to: (1) address MP values, (2) define detrimental soil disturbances, (3) develop risk rating systems for operational application, and (4) improve best management practices (BMPs) and ameliorative treatments that avoid or correct detrimental disturbances. Mon, 31 Oct 2005 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=25818 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=23645 The Canadian Council of Forest Ministers' (CCFM) framework of Criteria and Indicators (C&I) is a science-based framework to define and measure progress in the sustainable management of Canada's forests. The criteria represent forest values that Canadians want to enhance or sustain, while the indicators identify scientific factors to assess the state of the forest and measure progress toward sustainability. This national framework is the result of ongoing collaboration among a broad array of participants representing diverse interests in the forest. The framework has been the starting point for many provincial and local level indicator frameworks in Canada and has been a key consideration in the development of some certification systems. The CCFM C&I framework has been in place since 1995 and considerable experience was gained from reporting on the indicators in 1997 and 2000. Additionally, in the time since the framework was developed, the capacity of information systems has increased, approaches to forest inventories have changed, data availability has improved, advances in science have improved our understanding of ecosystems, and the public themselves have become more informed and better able to participate. Recognizing that sustainable forest management is an adaptive process and that assessing sustainability is a continuous activity, the CCFM approved a review of the 83 indicators in the framework, which ran from late 2001 to mid 2003. Public involvement was an important part of the review process, with representatives from the Aboriginal and academic communities, industry, non-governmental organizations and provincial, territorial and federal governments involved throughout. This poster provides an overview of the review process and presents some of the issues emerging from it. An addition, some of the strengths and weaknesses of the CCFM C&I approach, as well as some of the principal research questions emerging from the review, will be discussed. Wed, 07 Jan 2004 http://cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/publications?id=23645