1. A forest that has a different species composition from natural forests in the area
http://fscus.org/html/standards_policies/us_regional_standards/archives/ozark_ouachita4.html
2. A stand which is composed predominantly of native
trees and shrub species which have not been planted. Also, a forest which has
developed gradually or accidentally, as its location or site quality was not
suited for intensive exploitation or production-oriented management (e.g. in
mountainous regions). This kind of reconstruction of the natural forest cover
can be or has been achieved by using various silvicultural practices e.g.,
natural regeneration or selective thinning and in some cases also planting.
[Source: Definitions used in the Helsinki Process -
http://www.mmm.fi/english/minkonf/criteria.htm ]
3. A stand which is composed predominately of native trees and shrub species which have not been established by artificial regeneration methods. Semi-natural forests do not include forest land that is "undisturbed" by man (South 1998).
4. Forest areas where some of the principal
characteristics and key elements of native ecosystems, such as complexity,
structure and diversity are present, given the physical parameters of climate,
geology, hydrology and successional patterns.|
http://www.canadian-forests.com/fsc-glossary.html and additional FSC terms proposed in the December, 1996 FSC newsletter
5. Semi natural forests can be defined as neither a
forest undisturbed by man nor a plantation as defined separately. They represent
mainly managed forests modified by man through silviculture and assisted
regeneration.
http://www.biodiv.org/Forests/Glossary.html