A literal use of "forest health" safeguards against misuse and misapplication

Kenneth F. Raffa; Brian Aukema; Barbara J. Bentz; Allan Carroll; Nadir Erbilgin; Daniel A. Herms; Jeffrey A. Hicke; Richard W. Hofstetter; Steven Katovich; B. Staffan Lindgren; Jesse Logan; William Mattson; A. Steven Munson; Daniel J. Robison; Diana L. Six; Patrick Tobin; Philip A. Townsend; Kimberly F. Wallin

Treesearch

A literal use of "forest health" safeguards against misuse and misapplication

Formally Refereed

Authors:

Kenneth F. Raffa, Brian Aukema, Barbara J. Bentz, Allan Carroll, Nadir Erbilgin, Daniel A. Herms, Jeffrey A. Hicke, Richard W. Hofstetter, Steven Katovich, B. Staffan Lindgren, Jesse Logan, William Mattson, A. Steven Munson, Daniel J. Robison, Diana L. Six, Patrick Tobin, Philip A. Townsend, Kimberly F. Wallin

Year:

2009

Type:

Scientific Journal

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

Source:

Journal of Forestry. 107(5): 276-277.

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Abstract

"Forest Health" has become one of the most widely used terms in ecosystem management. Its popularity derives from powerful personal imagery, connecting the fragility of health with ecosystems. It addresses a need for an efficient term to describe the vitality of the world's forests, a usage we support. However, broad adoption has brought multiple usages, not all of which correspond to the term's literal meaning or convey such clarity of intent. Although "Forest Health" makes no reference to human expectations, these values are often inserted, suggesting a natural order is at risk if particular preferences are not met.

Keywords

forest health, ecosystem management

Citation

Raffa, Kenneth F.; Aukema, Brian; Bentz, Barbara J.; Carroll, Allan; Erbilgin, Nadir; Herms, Daniel A.; Hicke, Jeffrey A.; Hofstetter, Richard W.; Katovich, Steven; Lindgren, B. Staffan; Logan, Jesse; Mattson, William; Munson, A. Steven; Robison, Daniel J.; Six, Diana L.; Tobin, Patrick C.; Townsend, Philip A.; Wallin, Kimberly F. 2009. A literal use of "forest health" safeguards against misuse and misapplication. Journal of Forestry. 107(5): 276-277.