Author Robinson D. et al.

Year of publication 2009

This is a guide to help managers and owners of small-scale and low intensity forest operations maintain or improve the management of biodiversity and High Conservation Values (HCVs) within their forests. This guide is not designed to replace management plans - but to strengthen them. It is designed to help them meet FSC certification requirements for biodiversity and HCV conservation through the process of identification, management and monitoring. It explains some simple ways to protect and integrate forest biodiversity and HCVs into management of productive natural forests. The guidance is targeted at forest operations in natural forests, particularly in the tropics which are either: - Small scale operations - occurring in a small area; or - Low intensity operations - having very low extraction levels. The guide is relevant for any type of management including forests used by communities, private owners or the state. The guidance applies to single small or low intensity operations, and to groups of operations, such as a cooperative, a forest owners association, or a group formed to obtain FSC Group Certification. Additional guidance specifically for groups of forest operations is given in section 3.