From Open Sustainability
Forestry is the management of natural and planted forests for human and ecosystem benefits. This involves harvesting timber as a raw material for wood products; energy source - firewood and methanol; medicinal and botanical products; woody-based food products; woody flowers; wildlife habitat; recreation; landscape and community protection; employment; aesthetically appealing landscapes; biodiversity management; watershed management; erosion control; and a 'sink' for atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Sustainable forest management (SFM) is the management of forest goods and services for their use today and ensuring their availability into the future. It is about taking into consideration the environmental, social and economic benefits of the forest and managing it so that a balance is struck with all three. Forests if managed well are a 'renewable resource' as they can be replaced by natural processes at a rate comparable or faster than its rate of consumption by humans.
Key Organizations
The importance of forests and the role they have to play in the global climate system means, that there are a number of institutions and guidelines to help countries and organizations manage their valuable assets. To help ensure compliance to sustainable forestry guidelines a number of bodies have been set up audit management practices. Some of the key groups are:
International
NGO
