The document is intended to convey a sensitivity to current issues and to remain sufficiently adaptable to the future needs of the CFS's clients and stakeholders in the network. Return to About the Network I. Introduction C anadians increasingly recognize that the future economic viability of the forest industry and new employment opportunities related to all uses of the forest depend on maintaining the adaptive capacity, ecological stability, and biological diversity of forested ecosystems. This increased awareness is partly the result of international and domestic concerns about biodiversity due to human activities and natural disturbances. Achieving an acceptable balance between these environmental, economic, and social goals is the essence of sustainable development.
Forests provide the most diverse sets of habitats for plants, animals, and microorganisms.
The Government of Canada, together with the provinces and other partners, has ratified the International Convention on Biological Diversity and developed a Canadian Biodiversity Strategy. They also committed to conduct research to conserve the natural diversity of our forests, maintain and increase their productive capacity, and provide for their continued renewal. Development of working definitions of forest biodiversity and monitoring of the state of biodiversity in Canada s forests are crucial for achieving the NFS goal of sustainable forests. The policy thrust of these initiatives outlined above is to strengthen the foundation for conserving the natural diversity of our forests in response to the growing concerns about the loss of biodiversity, and the potential for related trade repercussions. Practising sustainable forest management involves managing forest ecosystems to maintain their integrity, productive capacity, resiliency, and biodiversity while continuing to generate wealth and economic benefits.