Angelo Mariano

1. Quantitative Indicators for Sustainable Forest ManagementMinisterial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe(M C P F E ) Angelo Mariano

2. European forests Forests cover about 46% of the European continent, and their surface of 1 039 million ha represents the 27% of the world’s forests. Wooded land cover more than 40%of the EU’s territory which is approximately equal to the EU’s agricultural area. In the EU, about 300 000 persons work in sylviculture and approximately 1.7 million persons work in the wood-based products and paper industries.

3. Introduction • The “Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe” (MCPFE) is a high level political initiative for co-operation of 45 European countries, the EU, other international organizations, and non-European countries which participate as observers. It addresses common opportunities and threats related to forests and forestry and promotes sustainable management of forests (SFM) in Europe. • The MCPFE provides not only a forum for co-operation of ministers responsible for forests, but also allows non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations to contribute with their knowledge and ideas. It represents the political platform for the dialogue on European forest issues. • The MCPFE is linked to other process and initiatives dealing with issues on forests and forestry (e.g. UNFF and CBD). • The signatory states and the EU are responsible for implementing the MCPFE decisions. Based on voluntary commitments, governments all over Europe have taken initiatives to ensure and improve the SFM and protection of forests. • Since 1990, four Ministerial Conferences have taken place. The latest one was held in Vienna on the 28/30 April 2003.

4. Criteria and Indicators (C&I) • In 1994 a core of 6 pan-European criteria and 27 quantitative indicators for SFM was adopted at Expert Level. • In 1996 a first report on the indicators, based on national data was issued. • In 1998, at the third Conference (Lisbon), the MCPFE presented a new report on the status of SFM in Europe taking into account the preliminary results of the UN/ECE-FAO TBFRA-2000 (Temperate/Boreal Forest Resources Assessment). In the same Conference, the ministers officially endorsed the C&I by signing Lisbon Resolution L2 and decided to further improve the indicators.

5. The six Criteria 1. Maintenance and Appropriate Enhancement of Forest Resources and their Contribution to Global Carbon Cycles. 2. Maintenance of Forest Ecosystem Health and Vitality. 3. Maintenance and Encouragement of Productive Functions of Forests (Wood and Non-Wood). 4. Maintenance, Conservation and Appropriate Enhancement of Biological Diversity in Forest Ecosystems. 5. Maintenance and Appropriate Enhancement of Protective Functions in Forest Management (notably soil and water). 6.Maintenance of other socioeconomic functions and conditions.

6. Improvement of the indicators • In 2000 an Advisory Group (AG) was formed in order to best take into account existing knowledge and experience made on C&I and to adequately reflect the variety of situations throughout the whole Europe. In the AG are represented the UN/ECE team of TBFRA Specialists, the European Forest Institute, the Inter-secretariat Working Group on Forest Statistics, the European Environmental Agency and the ICP Forests (International Co-operative Programme for the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution in Europe). • In 2001 and 2002, four workshops were convened in order to develop proposals on specific subjects of scientific or technical nature and to consider the variety of experiences of European countries with the instrument of criteria and indicators for SFM. In addition rural development aspects were part of the discussion and ultimately incorporated in several indicators. Furthermore, topics such as climate change, biodiversity and socio-economic aspects influenced the discussion and the results of the improvement process. • In October 2002, as a result of the work of improvement, a final set of 35 indicators, was endorsed by the MCPFE Expert Level Meeting and finally adopted by the Ministers at the 4th Ministerial Conference in April 2003. • Eurostat is one of the international data providers for the following 10 indicators: 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 6.2 6.3, 6.4, 6.5, 6.7, 6.8 and 6.9.

7. The definitive set of indicators Criterion No. 1 Maintenance and Appropriate Enhancement of Forest Resources and their Contribution to Global Carbon Cycles Associated indicators 1.1 Forest area (Area of forest and other wooded land, classified by forest type and by availability for wood supply and share of forest and other wooded land in total land area) 1.2 Growing stock (Growing stock on forest and other wooded land, classified by forest type and by availability for wood supply) 1.3 Age structure and/or diameter distribution (Age structure and/or diameter distribution of forest and other wooded land, classified by forest type and by availability for wood supply) 1.4 Carbon stock (Carbon stock of woody biomass and of soils on forest and other wooded land)

8. Criterion No. 2 Maintenance of Forest Ecosystem Health and Vitality Associated indicators 2.1 Deposition of pollutants (Deposition of air pollutants on forest and other wooded land, classified by N, S and base cations) 2.2 Soil conditions (Chemical soil properties - pH, CEC, C/N, organic C, base saturation - on forest and other wooded land related to soil acidity and eutrophication, classified by main soil types 2.3 Defoliation (Defoliation of one or more main tree species on forest and other wooded land in each of the defoliation classes “moderate”, “severe” and “dead”) 2.4 Forest damage (Forest and other wooded land with damage, classified by primary damaging agent - abiotic, biotic and human induced - and by forest type)

9. Criterion No. 3 Maintenance and Encouragement of Productive Functions of Forests (Wood and Non-Wood) Associated indicators 3.1*Increment and fellings (Balance between net annual increment and annual fellings of wood on forest available for wood supply) 3.2* Roundwood (Value and quantity of marketed roundwood) 3.3*Non-wood goods (Value and quantity of marketed non-wood goods from forest and other wooded land) 3.4 Services (Value of marketed services on forest and other wooded land) 3.5 Forests under management plan (Proportion of forest and other wooded land under a management plan or equivalent) * Eurostat data

10. Criterion No. 4 Maintenance, Conservation and Appropriate Enhancement of Biological Diversity in Forest Ecosystems Associated indicators 4.1 Tree species composition (Area of forest and other wooded land, classified by number of tree species occurring and by forest type) 4.2 Regeneration (Area of regeneration within even-aged stands and uneven-aged stands, classified by regeneration type) 4.3 Naturalness (Area of forest and other wooded land, classified by “undisturbed by man”, by “semi-natural” or by “plantations”, each by forest type) 4.4 Introduced species (Area of forest and other wooded land dominated by introduced tree species) 4.5 Deadwood (Volume of standing deadwood and of lying deadwood on forest and other wooded land classified by forest type) 4.6 Genetic resources (Area managed for conservation and utilization of forest tree genetic resources -in situ and ex situ gene conservation- and area managed for seed production) 4.7 Landscape pattern (Landscape-level spatial pattern of forest cover) 4.8 Threatened species (Number of threatened forest species, classified according to IUCN Red List categories in relation to total number of forest species Biological Diversity in Forest Ecosystems) 4.9 Protected forests (Area of forest and other wooded land protected to conserve biodiversity, landscapes and specific natural elements, according to MCPFE Assessment Guidelines)

11. Criterion No. 5 Maintenance and Appropriate Enhancement of Protective Functions in Forest Management (notably soil and water) Associated indicators 5.1 Protective forests - soil, water and other ecosystem's functions (Area of forest and other wooded land designated to prevent soil erosion, to preserve water resources, or to maintain other forest ecosystem functions, part of MCPFE Class Protective Functions”) 5.2 Protective forests Area of forest and other wooded land designated to protect infrastructure and managed natural resources against natural hazards, part of MCPFE Class “Protective Functions”

12. Criterion No. 6Maintenance of other socioeconomic functions and conditionsAssociated indicators6.1 Forest holdings (Number of forest holdings, classified by ownership categories and size classes)6.2*Contribution of Forest sector to GDP (Contribution of forestry and manufacturing of wood and paper products to gross domestic product)6.3*Net revenue (Net revenue of forest enterprises)6.4* Expenditure for services (Total expenditures for long-term sustainable services from forests)6.5*Forest sector workforce (Number of persons employed and labour input in the forest sector, classified by gender and age group, education and job characteristics)6.6 Occupational safety and health (Frequency of occupational accidents and occupational diseases in forestry)6.7*Wood Consumption (Consumption per head of wood and products derived from wood6.8*Trade in wood (Imports and exports of wood and products derived from wood)6.9*Energy from wood resources (Share of wood energy in total energy consumption, classified by origin of wood)6.10 Accessibility for recreation (Area of forest and other wooded land where public has a right of access for recreational purposes and indication of intensity of use)6.11 Cultural and spiritual values (Number of sites within forest and other wooded land designated as having cultural or spiritual values)* Eurostat data

13. STRUCTURE of the indicators The name of the indicator represents the brief reference to the full text of the indicator as agreed at the preceding workshops and by the Advisory Group. The full text of the recommended improved indicators does not make reference to “change”. However, change which is derived from the comparison of data from two different points in time should always be reported. Rationale This paragraph explains the rationale behind the indicator, its scope and limitations. In some cases it also includes the explanation of the desired direction of change, the utility of the information provided through the indicator, the range of views expressed, possible threshold issues and pitfalls in interpretation and limitations in force of expression, as well as major links to other indicators or criteria. International data provider In this paragraph the relevant main international data providers are listed. The ultimate source of data is the national level (national statistics, national inventories and other national data providers). The references to the national level are not explicitly given for each indicator. Measurement units This paragraph provides the measurement units of the indicator for the status as well as for changes. Current periodicity of data availability This paragraph shows the current periodicity of data availability. Reporting notes The reporting notes refer to classification categories as well as to instructions on how to collect the respective data which are not obvious from the wording of the full text of the indicator.

14. Indicator 1.1: Forest area Full text: Area of forest and other wooded land, classified by forest type and by availability for wood supply, and share of forest and other wooded land in total land area Rationale: Forest and other wooded land area contribute to various aspects of sustainable development. They enrich the landscape and are habitats for wild flora and fauna. They are places for leisure and recreation and are the economic basis for timber production as well as contributing to rural development, tourism and regeneration. Changes in forest area are caused by afforestation, reforestation and deforestation and are a substantial indicator for sustainable forest management and the role of forests in the global carbon cycle. Area of forest and other wooded land are key attributes in any forest survey, as many attributes describing forest ecosystems and sustainable forest management are presented as figures on a per hectare reference or in area related proportions. This indicator is mainly linked to indicator 2.4, 3.5, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.6, 4.9, 5.1, 5.2. International data provider: TBFRA Measurement units: Status: ha Changes: ha/yr. Current periodicity of data availability: 10 years Reporting notes: Separate figures to be reported on: · Area of forest, classified by forest type · Area of other wooded land, classified by forest type · Area of other wooded land available for wood supply, classified by forest type

15. Indicator 2.3: Defoliation Full text: Defoliation of one or more main tree species on forest and other wooded land in each of the defoliation classes ”moderate”, ”severe” and ”dead” Rationale: Crown defoliation is an indicator giving an estimation on tree condition, although the causes of observed defoliation might be non-specific and not quantifiable. This indicator is mainly linked to indicator 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4 and 3.1. International data provider: ICP Forests (Level I) Measurement units: Status: % of total population Status: % of main tree species Current periodicity of data availability: annually Reporting notes: The degree of defoliation should be reported separately for trees on forest and trees on other wooded land, according to the following classification: Class / Degree of defoliation Needle/Leaf loss 2 / moderate 25 to 60 % 3 / severe > 60 to < 100 % 4 / dead 100%

16. Indicator 3.1: Increment and fellings Full text: Balance between net annual increment and annual fellings of wood on forest available for wood supply Rationale: This indicator highlights the sustainability of timber production over time as well as the current availability and the potential for future availability of timber. For a long run sustainability the annual fellings must not exceed the net annual increment. The net annual increment is defined according to TBFRA 2000 as “average annual volume over the given reference period of gross increment less that of natural losses on all trees to a minimum diameter of 0 cm (d.b.h.)”. Gross increment is the volume growth of survivor trees. This indicator is mainly linked to indicator 2.1, 2.3 and 2.4. International data provider: · TBFRA (for fellings) · Eurostat: JQ annual data (for removals) Measurement units: Status: m³ Changes: m³/yr. Current periodicity of data availability: 10 years Reporting notes: Separate figures to be reported on: · Net annual increment of wood on forest available for wood supply · Annual fellings of wood on forest available for wood supply

17. Indicator 4.3: Naturalness Full text: Area of forest and other wooded land, classified by “undisturbed by man”, by “semi-natural” or by “plantations”, each by forest type Rationale: The degree of naturalness of forest ecosystems shows the intensity of human interventions. Different levels of utilization intensity are characterized not only by changing structures but also by different species communities. The composition and structure determine the functional diversity and these factors constitute the biological diversity of an area. The existence of forest and other wooded land undisturbed by man, i.e. forests where natural processes and species to a considerable extent remain or have been restored, has a high conservation value for understanding the ecological principles, and for reference when setting up management priorities and plans and models for silvicultural planning. Semi-natural forests can keep certain characteristics, allowing natural dynamics and biodiversity closer to the original ecosystem. Plantations usually represent ecosystems on their own, with artificial dynamics establishing species communities completely distinct from the original ecosystem. In European conditions, most forests are “semi-natural”, and it is desirable in the future to introduce one or more subdivisions along the spectrum from forests managed in a “close-to-nature” way to those whose management is close to plantation silviculture. In practice however, it is not yet possible to make a workable classification. This indicator is mainly linked to indicator 1.1 and to indicators under Criterion 4. International data provider: · TBFRA · EEA · Berne Convention data · Council of Europe: EMERALD data Measurement units: Status: ha Changes: ha/yr. Current periodicity of data availability: 10 years Reporting notes: Separate figures to be reported on area of forest and on area of other wooded land for: · undisturbed by man, by forest type · semi-natural, by forest type · plantations, by forest type

18. Indicator 6.2: Contribution of forest sector to GDP Full text: Contribution of forestry and manufacturing of wood and paper products to gross domestic product Rationale: From the national viewpoint, the contribution of forestry and manufacturing of wood and paper products to gross domestic product indicates its macro-economic importance but can also be used for the assessment of the role of the forest sector in rural development. Subsidies are not included in this figure. International data provider: Eurostat: Economic Accounts/Forestry accounts Measurement units: Status: Absolute figures in national currency Changes: Absolute figures in national currency/yr. Status: % of GDP Changes: % of GDP/yr. Current periodicity of data availability: annually Reporting notes: Separate figures to be reported on: · Contribution of ISIC/NACE 02.0 (Forestry, logging and related services) to GDP · Contribution of ISIC/NACE 20 ff (Manufacture of wood and articles in wood) and ISIC/NACE 21 ff (Manufacture of paper and paper products) to GDP