Protect and Maintain Biodiversity

The protection of the full range of forest ecosystems and other environmental values is fundamental to sustainable forest management. It entails the maintenance of the ecological processes that sustain forest ecosystems and the conservation of the biological diversity associated with forests (particularly endangered and vulnerable species and communities). Conserving biodiversity through forest management has at least three different components:

1. Maintaining sufficient amounts of all native habitats across the landscape so that no species becomes endangered. This is referred to as the "coarse filter" approach (Hunter 1990).
2. Addressing specific habitat and other needs of already endangered species - the "fine filter" approach (Hunter 1990).
3. Providing some form of reserve areas (e.g. National Parks, wilderness areas) for each forest type.

The Natural Resources Management Department will strive to maintain each of the three components outlined above by:

• Setting objectives and targets to maintian a forest cover across the landscape that is composed of diverse qualities, features, and elements.
• Setting objectives and targets to incorporate stand level wildlife habitat elements into project plans.
• Establishing procedures to identify and protect plant and animal species that are endangered or at risk.
• Establishing Conservation Areas.
• Work with Regional Landscape Level Committees and adjoining landowners to research and develop strategies to protect biodiversity at a stand and landscape level.