According to the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFEs), sustainable forest development is defined by these three criteria.
The three criteria defined by the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFEs) for sustainable forest development are:
1. Environmental Criterion: This criterion focuses on the preservation and conservation of forest ecosystems, biodiversity, and the protection of soil and water resources within and around forests. To determine if a forest is environmentally sustainable, you would need to assess factors such as the maintenance or restoration of biological diversity, the protection of rare and threatened species, the avoidance of deforestation, and the promotion of natural regeneration.
2. Economic Criterion: This criterion considers the economic viability and productivity of forests, including their roles in supporting livelihoods, providing employment, and contributing to economic growth. To assess the economic sustainability of a forest, you would need to evaluate factors such as the generation of income from sustainable forest management practices, the availability of markets for forest products, and the equitable distribution of benefits derived from the forest.
3. Social Criterion: This criterion focuses on the social aspects of forests, including their roles in supporting cultural heritage, recreational activities, and community well-being. To determine if a forest is socially sustainable, you would need to consider factors such as public participation in forest management decisions, the recognition and respect for indigenous and local communities' rights, and the provision of social services and amenities related to forests.
In summary, the Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe defines sustainable forest development based on environmental, economic, and social criteria. To assess a forest's sustainability, you would need to evaluate its environmental conservation and biodiversity protection, its economic viability and productivity, as well as its contribution to social well-being and community engagement.