legislation and their responsibilities. stakeholders, and forest managers. guidance: FME what legislation requires. 1.1.2. For large Forest Management Enterprises (FME): FME shall maintain an up-to-date register of all pertinent statutes and bodies of regulations and make this register available to forest managers. Verifiers: See Annex 1 and 2 for examples of pertinent laws and regulations. 1.1.3. FME and its contractors shall comply with all national, state/provincial and local environmental, labour and forestry laws (all laws applicable to FME). guidance: Field observation and documentation available show that legislation is being complied with in the field. Verifiers: Contracts, agreement/license agreement/etc. contain clauses stating adherence and compliance with laws 1.1.4. Discovered non compliances with legislation shall be recorded. 1.1.5. Corrective actions shall be implemented in case that any is identified. 1.1.6. The FME shall maintain a transparent relationship with the Forestry Department and forward all binding agreements between the contractor and forest owner/licensee to the Forestry Department (DFOs). Note: Applies to Native Forests only. Based on 1.1.3 of Fiji Draft National Standard (2008). C1.2. All applicable and legally prescribed fees, royalties, taxes and other charges shall be paid.
unacceptable activities. Indirect involvement also includes activities performed by subcontractors when acting on behalf of the associated organization or individual. 1.6.3. FME shall disclose information on all forest areas over which it has direct or indirect involvement to demonstrate compliance with current FSC policies on partial certification and excision of areas from the scope of the certificate. Verifiers: FME conforms to Partial Certification of Ownerships for ownerships excluded from certification and FSC-POL-20-003 The Excision of Areas from the Scope of Certification for excised portions of the FMU and for non-certified FMUs. See definitions from 1.6.2. 1.6.4. FME staff and contractors shall be informed about FSC requirements and FME shall control how these requirements are upheld. Verifiers: Contracts contain clear and appropriate language that requires contractors to comply with the FSC P&C. Interviews with FME staff and other stakeholders indicate that staff possess a working knowledge of the how FSC P&C are respected in daily operations. Copies of the FSC P&C or this standard are made available to and contractors. PRINCIPLE #2: TENURE AND USE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES Long-term tenure and use rights to the land and forest resources shall be clearly defined, documented and legally established. C2.1 Clear evidence of long-term forest use rights to the land (e.g. land title, customary rights, or lease agreements) shall be demonstrated. Indicators Verifiers, Examples, and Notes Evaluation Team Notes Conformance (C, NC or NA) 2.1.1. FME shall possess legal documents proving its legal rights of ownership or long term rights to manage the FMU. Verifiers: use rights may be associated with: Authenticated copies of land titles of the FMU(s)
shall be respected in forest management planning and implementation, in accordance with national legislation or agreements established with such communities/ stakeholders. their duly recognized rights to the FMU. 2.2.3. For FMEs: Areas associated with the rights identified in indicator 2.2.1 shall be included on maps of the FMU. Verifiers: Maps of the FMU 2.2.4. When communities have delegated control of their legal rights or customary tenure or use in whole or in part, this shall be confirmed by documented agreements and interviews with representatives of local communities, with evidence of their free and informed consent. Verifiers: Written agreements Interviews with stakeholders C2.3. Appropriate mechanisms be employed to resolve disputes over tenure claims and use rights. The circumstances and status of any outstanding disputes will be explicitly considered in the certification evaluation. Disputes of substantial magnitude involving a significant number of interests will normally disqualify an operation from being certified. Indicators Verifiers, Examples, and Notes Evaluation Team Notes Conformance (C, NC or NA) 2.3.1. FME shall use mechanisms for resolving disputes over tenure claims and use rights that respectfully involve the disputants and are consistent in process. Verifiers: Records, agreements or relevant documents that detail past and current disputes over tenure claims and use rights. Documented procedures to resolve disputes over tenure claims and use rights. Note: Acceptable mechanisms may include independent courts and third-party mediation.
owners are made aware of the lease conditions. Records of all disputes (resolved, on-going, and yet to be resolved) shall be maintained. 3.1.4. The FME shall comply with any applicable clauses of treaties, contracts, and other agreements established with indigenous peoples. Interviews with indigenous peoples or representatives Evidence of compliance observed in the field or through documentation associated with agreements. 3.2 Forest management shall not threaten or diminish, either directly or indirectly, the resources or tenure rights of indigenous peoples. Indicators Verifiers, Examples, and Notes Evaluation Team Notes Conformance (C, NC or NA) 3.2.1. The FME identify and record any impacts that its management activities have on the rights and resources of indigenous communities. Documented agreements Identification of rights and resources on maps and in the field. Note: if there are no indigenous peoples with rights or resources impacted by the FME’s management activities, Criterion 3.2 is not applicable. Fiji Draft Standard (2008): 3.2.2 The FME shall facilitate the formulation and implementation of Participatory Community Management Plans which shall contain clear objectives or goals for protection & conservation of flora & fauna within the resource owners’ and local communities’ forest area. The implementation of Community Management Plans shall be regularly monitored and updated. Interviews with indigenous communities Agreements, MOUs, etc. Community Management Plan Monitoring reports of impact study - recommended every 5-10 years environmental
Indicators Verifiers, Examples, and Evaluation Team Notes Conformance (C, NC or NA) 4.1.1. Qualified people in local communities are given equal or preferential opportunities in employment and contracting. Example: Employment and contractual opportunities offered locally before they are offered outside the region. 4.1.2. The FME contributes to or directly develops training programs designed to enhance the capabilities and qualifications of local workers to meet the FME’s long-term staffing requirements. guidance: SLIMF managers stay up to date on regional forest management issues. SLIMF managers and workers receive training as needed to fill gaps in capabilities and qualifications. 4.1.3. The FME gives preference to local vendors of equipment and miscellaneous services, subject to cost and availability considerations. Examples may include: -timber being offered to local processors before being sold out of the region -utilization of local banks, insurance companies, etc. 4.1.4. FME implement policies and procedures to make qualifications, skills, and experience the basis for recruitment, placement, training and advancement of staff at all levels. Verifiers: Employment policies & procedures. Interviews with staff and labour organisations. Guidance: No evidence of discrimination on race, colour, ethnicity, culture, gender, age, religion, political opinion, nationality or social origin. 4.1.5. The FME shall ensure that employees and contractors are paid a fair wage and other benefits, which meet or exceed all legal requirements and those provided in comparable occupations in the same region. Verifiers: Records of payment compared to census data, salary surveys, etc. Interviews with forest managers, workers, contractors, and labour representatives/ stakeholders. Note: Benefits may include social security payment, pension, accommodation, food, etc.
4.2.4. The vehicles, tools, and harvesting equipment of the FME and its contractors shall be adapted to forestry work, including safety devices. Verifiers: Forest machinery is equipped with crash bars and/or other safety devices. Chainsaws have and/or other safety devices. 4.2.5. Warning shall be posted at access roads to sites with ongoing logging operation. 4.2.6. FME shall conduct regular checks to ensure that all safety procedures are observed in the field, and periodically inspect or test all equipment for safety and performance. Verifiers: Inspection records Inspection of equipment in the field Interviews with workers 4.2.7. For large FMEs: FME shall maintain a register of accidents (including those among the contractors working on the FMU) and document steps taken to minimize risk of further accidents. Verifiers: Accident/ incident records Updated procedures or policies Training records Interviews with staff and contractors 4.2.8. Where located and provided on the FMU, worker accommodation and nutrition comply, at a minimum, with the ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Forestry. Verifiers: Interviews with managers and workers Inspection of facilities 4.2.9. There is assured compensation benefits for affected workers and their family members in case of accidents. Verifiers: Documented compensation protocol Evidence of compensation insurance policy, where applicable Records of payments kept 4.2.10. No staff, contractors or their family members shall be engaged in debt bondage or other forms of forced labor. Verifiers: Interviews with forest managers, workers, family members at logging labour representatives. site
4.2.11. No workers under the age of 15 shall be employed in the forest. Note: National legislation may set higher minimum ages. ILO Convention 138 sets minimum age between 14 and 18, depending on the terms of ratification of each country. 4.2.12. No workers the age of 18 should be employed for operations when the task has high occupational and health risk. Guidance: people under the age of 18 should not be employed in potentially hazardous activities such as pesticide application, harvesting, heavy work, and work at night; unless there is special provision for safety or traditional community circumstances exist that can be supported by national/ local laws or common practice. 4.2.13. Indicators criterion 4.2 are also applicable for workers’ family members in case they are present at the operational sites and logging camps. C4.3. The rights of workers to organize and voluntarily negotiate with employers shall be guaranteed as outlined in Conventions 87 and 98 of the International Labour Organization (ILO). Indicators Verifiers, Examples, and Notes Evaluation Team Notes Conformance (C, NC or NA) 4.3.1. All workers shall be able to form and/or join a trade union of their choice without fear of intimidation or reprisal. This will at a minimum will comply with ILO Convention No. 87, where applicable. Verifiers: Interviews with forest managers, workers, and labour representatives. Applicability note: ILO Convention 87 applies to both public and private organizations, Convention 98 is inapplicable to government organizations. Government agencies may be covered under national or regional legislation. 4.3.2. Collective bargaining with representative trade unions shall be carried out in good faith and with best efforts to come to an agreement. This will at a minimum comply with ILO Convention No. 98, where applicable.
Fiji Draft Standard (2008): 4.3.2 The FME shall be compliant with the Employment Relations Act. Verifiers: Interviews with forest managers, workers, and labour representatives. Management SOPs Note: National legislation or processes may be cited if it complies with this indicator. C4.4. Management planning and operations shall incorporate the results of evaluations of social impact. Consultations shall be maintained with people and groups (both men and women) directly affected by management operations. Indicators Verifiers, Examples, and Notes Evaluation Team Notes Conformance (C, NC or NA) 4.4.1. FME shall conduct a social impact assessment that: Identifies affected groups; Includes consultation with affected groups (both men and women); Identifies main impacts of management activities on those groups in cooperation with them; and Identifies any areas of special economic, ecological, cultural or spiritual value of affected groups not covered in Principles 3 & 9. Verifiers: Records of stakeholder communication; Stakeholder lists; Documented results of social impact assessment; Interviews with affected stakeholder groups Note: For an area to be considered of special value there should be broad support from stakeholder groups and/ or evidence of its historical importance should be presented. Multiple independent sources should be considered. 4.4.2. The results of social impact assessment are incorporated into management decisions, including the provision of: Measures to reduce or mitigate identified negative impacts in 4.4.1; Measures to consider areas of special economic, ecological, cultural or spiritual value in management Verifiers: Documented results of social impact assessment; FMP or site-level plans
at a better price, given relative equal quality. PRINCIPLE #5: BENEFITS FROM THE FOREST Forest management operations encourage the efficient use of the forest’s multiple products and services to ensure economic viability and a wide range of environmental and social benefits. C5.1. Forest management should strive toward economic viability, while taking into account the full environmental, social, and operational costs of production, and ensuring the investments necessary to maintain the ecological productivity of the forest. Indicators Verifiers, Examples, and Notes Evaluation Team Notes Conformance (C, NC or NA) 5.1.1. The FME shall have sufficient financial capital and human resources to implement the management plan, over the long run (at least one rotation in the case of plantations). Verifiers: Financial planning documents and projections Business plans Accounting system 5.1.2. The FME shall conduct a long-term financial projection (e.g., budget) that includes income and environmental, social, and operational costs. The assumptions included in the budget or financial model must be duly substantiated. 5.1.3. The FME make adequate investments of capital, machinery and human resources so as to maintain or restore the productive capacity, ecological integrity and socio-economic profile of the FMU. Verifiers: Annual budgets for planning and programs Field observation 5.1.4. Commercial (income generating) activities are financially viable, given short and medium-term market conditions and costs. Verifiers: Annual or balance sheets or other records that show the costs of management activities conducted, as well as the income received. 5.1.5. If the FME has received external funding Note: External funding includes, but is not limited to, annual
rates over successive harvests, contribute directly to achieving desired future conditions as defined in the forest management plans, and do not diminish the long term ecological integrity and productivity of the site. The portion of the indicator applicable for large FMEs applies to FMUs over 100 ha. The portion of the indicator applicable for SLIMF is for FMUs <100 ha or that meet the definition of a low intensity SLIMF. 5.6.4. For operations entailing regular annual harvesting, the 10-year rolling average harvest level does not exceed average annual increment. Verifiers: Comparison of records of harvested volume by species (or species groups) with the AAC established for the species (or species groups). 5.6.5. Harvest levels shall be set such that inventories of desired species increase over time, unless it is substantiated that current inventories (measured in average standing volume per hectare) exceed optimal levels. Verifiers: Stocking data (diameter classes, density, etc.) 5.6.6. For operations harvesting NTFPs management strategies incorporate the best available monitoring and inventory data to calculate a conservative growth and harvest rates; harvest of non-timber forest products is also subject to Indicator 5.6.3. Examples of may include: Greenery, game, flowers, berries, mushrooms, and fish. Note: Christmas trees are classified as short rotation crops under FSC and do not meet the definition of an NTFP. 5.6.7. For timber investment management programs: If growth projections are used to make claims on the rate of financial return, the FME shall include a visible declaration on all material that carries the FSC or certification body trademarks regarding the responsibility of financial claims (e.g., “FSC and SCS See FSC-STD-50-001 (V1-2), section 9. Guidance: A timber investment organization is a forest management project established in a natural or plantation forest (e.g., a TIMO or REIT), where the FME uses funds from various investors to achieve management objectives, usually in exchange for returns on
large live trees, live trees with decay or declining health, snags, and coarse down and dead woody material; Remnant large, old trees are retained or recruited as snags; vertical and horizontal complexity; and selected for retention are generally representative of the dominant species naturally found on the site Where appropriate, the FME retains ecosystem components required for the maintenance or enhancement of harvested NTFPs. NTFPs may include the following examples: Mushrooms: dead wood is retained for fungal growth; a percentage of sexually mature individuals is retained on each harvest site. Plant parts: a percentage of reproductive plant parts, both male and female, is retained on each harvest site in natural distribution on the plant and the harvest site; the removal of branches or bark minimizes damage to the selected plant; where the harvesting of a whole plant is required, a percentage of sexually mature individuals, seeds or other reproductive plant parts is retained at each harvest site that secures regeneration; where fruits or nuts are harvested, measures are taken as necessary to ensure that habitat conditions required for their regeneration are maintained/ enhanced national and local laws on the harvesting of fauna are respected; FME participates in efforts to maintain habitat elements required for populations of harvested fauna. 6.3.7. The FME shall implement retention guidelines developed for 6.3.6 in even-aged, salvage harvests, and other management systems. Note: Although 6.3.6 may set some minimum retention requirements, retention guidelines may vary depending on the sivicultural and/or management system(s) employed. 6.3.8. The FME assesses the risk of, prioritizes, and, as warranted, develops and Note: When the FME can demonstrate evidence (i.e., in the or testimony of expert distributed
implements a strategy to prevent or control invasive species. stakeholders) that no invasive species are present and that the risk of invasive species is low, this indicator may be inapplicable. If an exotic species is not invasive or has become naturalized, control measures may be limited to those sufficient to maintain native flora and fauna. 6.3.9. In applicable situations, the FME identifies and applies site-specific fuels management practices, based on: (1) natural or anthropogenic fire regimes, (2) risk of wildfire, (3) potential economic losses, (4) public safety, and (5) applicable laws and regulations. Intent: This Indicator applies to forest types that are at risk of wildfire or to forest types that rarely burn naturally under threat of human-set fires. C6.4 Representative samples of existing ecosystems within the landscape shall be protected in their natural state and recorded on maps, appropriate to the scale and intensity of operations and the uniqueness of the affected resources. Indicators Verifiers, Examples, and Notes Evaluation Team Notes Conformance (C, NC or NA) 6.4.1. For large FMEs: FME shall leave representative samples of existing rare and/or endangered ecosystems (RSEs) for natural succession in their natural state covering at least 5% of the total forest area. Strict nature reserves located inside or bordering to the FMU may be included in the estimation of the 5%. For FMEs: FME shall protect representative samples of existing rare and/or endangered ecosystems in their natural state. Note: RSE = representative sample ecosystem. Verifiers: FMP Protected area maps Maps of FMU HCV assessment results
C6.5. Written guidelines shall be prepared and implemented to control erosion; minimize forest damage during harvesting, road construction, and all other mechanical disturbances; and to protect water resources. Indicators Verifiers, Examples, and Notes Evaluation Team Notes Conformance (C, NC or NA) 6.5.1. The FME shall have written guidelines that cover all technical specifications required in this Criterion. Note: The written guidelines should address all indicators of Criterion 6.5. Where regional or state manuals cover this criterion, they may be cited. See Fiji Forest Harvesting Code of Practice Fiji Draft Standard (2008): 6.5.2 The FME shall be in full compliance with the Fiji Forest Harvesting Code of Practice. Intent: BMPs for quality, erosion control, protection of forest resources during harvesting, road construction, and all other mechanical disturbances provide a foundational minimum for compliance with this Criterion. BMPs include both voluntary and mandatory state and regional BMPs, as well as analogous terms used in certain states (e.g., Site Level Guidelines). Isolated and minor situations of non-compliance with BMPs may or may not result in a finding of nonconformance with the Indicator. 6.5.3. Management activities including site preparation, harvest prescriptions, techniques, timing, and equipment are selected and used to protect soil and water resources and to avoid erosion, landslides, and significant soil disturbance. Logging and other activities that significantly increase the risk of landslides are excluded in Intent: This Indicator includes soil productivity, function, and habitat (including the leaf litter and fine woody debris) in all stands, management systems, and harvest objectives. Guidance: Attention to this Indicator is expected to increase with the amount and frequency of woody material removed from the site (e.g.,
areas where risk of landslides is high. The following actions are addressed: Slash is concentrated only as much as necessary to achieve the goals of site preparation and the reduction of fuels to moderate or low levels of fire hazard. Disturbance of topsoil is limited to the minimum necessary to achieve successful regeneration of species native to the site. Rutting and compaction is minimized. Soil erosion is not accelerated. Burning is only done when consistent with natural disturbance regimes. Natural ground cover disturbance is minimized to the extent necessary to achieve regeneration objectives. Whole tree harvesting on any site over multiple rotations is only done when research indicates soil productivity will not be harmed. Low impact equipment and technologies is used where appropriate. biomass removals and whole tree harvests). Decisions are made based on objective data regarding slope, erosion-hazard rating, potential for soil compaction, rutting, and risk of landslides. 6.5.4. The transportation system, including design and placement of permanent and temporary haul roads, skid trails, recreational trails, water crossings and landings, is designed, constructed, maintained, and/or reconstructed to Guidance: Control measures that reduces ecological impacts may include but are not limited to: without a weather resistant surface are used only during periods of weather when conditions are favorable to minimize road damage, surface erosion, and sediment
reduce short and long-term environmental impacts, habitat fragmentation, soil and water disturbance and cumulative adverse effects, while allowing for customary uses and use rights. This includes: access to all roads and trails (temporary and permanent), including recreational trails, and off-road travel, is controlled, as possible, to minimize ecological impacts; road density is minimized; erosion is minimized; sediment discharge to streams is minimized; there is free upstream and downstream passage for aquatic organisms; impacts of transportation systems on wildlife habitat and migration corridors are minimized; area converted to landings and skid trails is minimized; habitat fragmentation is minimized; unneeded roads are closed and rehabilitated. transport; if necessary to minimize ecological impacts, access is restricted on roads not immediately necessary for management purposes; posted or monitored enforcement. Examples for evaluating adequacy of the transportation system may include but are not limited to: roads constructed on slopes in excess of 60% are made with full bench cuts or minimal side cast; for decommissioned roads, bridges and culverts are removed, water bars are installed; slopes are recontoured or revegetated, and ecologically functional drainage patterns are established; landings are located on ecologically suitable sites and the size is minimized and the number of landings is optimized to minimize overall disturbance to the site; landings are seeded, mulched, or covered with slash after use; Riparian Management Zone crossings are kept to a minimum; stream crossings are installed at an angle that causes least ecological disturbance; water diversion structures are used according to locally applicable guidelines. As part of watershed assessments, habitats for salmonids and threatened and endangered aquatic species are identified. If shown to be necessary, road density is reduced in such habitats and/or mitigated within the watershed. Cooperative transportation planning with agencies, such as watershed management
councils, is used to minimize negative cumulative impacts across the landscape. The FME should design culverts and take other steps to ensure fish passage in order to maintain or enhance the biodiversity of the stream, although it is understood that there may be some situations where free upstream and downstream passage is not possible. 6.5.5. In consultation with appropriate expertise, the FME implements written Riparian Management Zone (RMZ) buffer management guidelines that are adequate for preventing environmental impact, and include protecting and restoring quality, hydrologic conditions in rivers and stream corridors, wetlands, vernal pools, seeps and springs, lake and pond shorelines, and other hydrologically sensitive areas. The guidelines include vegetative buffer widths and protection measures that are acceptable within those buffers. Guidance: Appropriate expertise may include hydrologists, geologists, and state/national forest agencies. The focus of this Indicator is on stream and water quality protection, and also involves riparian management zones and stream management zones. See Indicator 6.3.2 for requirements addressing plant and wildlife habitat values adjacent to water bodies. RMZ buffer width may vary depending on the width of stream or river, seasonal water flow, sensitivity of soils, presence of fish and other macrofauna, dead wood retention objectives, and other factors. C6.6. Management systems shall promote the development and adoption of environmentally friendly non chemical methods of pest management and strive to avoid the use of chemical pesticides. World Health Organization Type 1A and 1B and chlorinated hydrocarbon pesticides; pesticides that are persistent, toxic or whose derivatives remain biologically active and accumulate in the food chain beyond their intended use; as well as any pesticides banned by international agreement, shall be prohibited. If chemicals are used, proper equipment and training shall be provided to minimize health and environmental risks. Indicators Verifiers, Examples, and Notes Evaluation Team Conformance (C, NC or NA) 6.6.1. All chemical pesticide use in nurseries, FMUs or Verifiers:
6.7.5. The FME shall implement contingency plans and procedures for prevention and cleanup following spills or other accidents involving chemical pesticides, oils, fuels, and other chemicals. Examples: Vehicle and chainsaw maintenance is conducted as necessary to prevent leaks. Workers are trained in how to respond to a chemical spill. 6.7.6. As much as possible, the FME uses fuels, lubricants, and other chemicals that have fewer negative environmental impacts. Examples: Biodegradable oil should be preferred, for chainsaws and hydraulic oil in forest machinery. C6.8. Use of biological control agents be documented, minimized, monitored and strictly controlled in accordance with national laws and internationally accepted scientific protocols. Use of genetically modified organisms shall be prohibited. Indicators Verifiers, Examples, and Notes Evaluation Team Notes Conformance (C, NC or NA) 6.8.1. shall be no use (defined as commercial use as well as for research purposes) of genetically modified organisms within the FMU. Note: Non-conformance to this Indicator constitutes a Major Failure and precludes award of certification until appropriately corrected. 6.8.2 All use of biological control agents takes place within the context of an integrated pest management program that documents, minimizes, monitors, and strictly controls their application. 6.8.3. Use of biological control agents takes place only where demonstrably necessary and only under strict protocols in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. C6.9. The use of exotic species shall be carefully controlled and actively monitored to avoid adverse ecological impacts. Indicators Verifiers, Examples, and Notes Evaluation Team Conformance (C, NC or NA) Fiji Draft Standard (2008): 6.9.1 The introduction of the exotic species shall not Note: See C6.3 for invasive, exotic species control.
Indicators Verifiers, Examples, and Notes Evaluation Team Notes Conformance (C, NC or NA) 8.1.1. Consistent with the scale and intensity of operations, the FME shall implement shall conduct consistent and replicable documented procedures for the elements mentioned in C8.2 and chain of custody (C8.3). Applicability note: Where thess indicators Criteria with SLIMF indicators, the monitoring protocol can be consistent with SLIMF requirements of those Criteria.. 8.1.2. The FME demonstrate that monitoring protocols have been implemented consistently over time. Verifiers: Monitoring records or reports Journal entries or log books Analyses of data Interviews with FME staff and stakeholders, especially for SLIMF C8.2. Forest management should include the research and data collection needed to monitor, at a minimum, the following indicators: Yield of all forest products harvested. Growth regeneration and condition of the forest. Composition and observed changes in the flora and fauna. Environmental and social impacts of harvesting and operations. Costs, productivity, and efficiency of forest management. Indicators Verifiers, Examples, and Notes Evaluation Team Notes Conformance (C, NC or NA) 8.2.1.FME shall record the yield of all harvested forest procudts (a). Applicability note: Where thess indicators Criteria with SLIMF indicators, the monitoring protocol can be consistent with SLIMF requirements of those Criteria. 8.2.2. FME shall ensure that monitoring protocols are implemented to detect changes in growth rates, regeneration, species composition, and age classes of forest resources (b, c). 8.2.3. FME shall ensure that monitoring protocols are implemented to detect environmental changes Examples: Erosion, road system, pest outbreaks, invasive species, wildlife, fish,