Glossary

A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H – I – K – L – M – N – O – P – R – S – T – U – V – W

A

Abiotic – pertaining to the non–living component of the environment (e.g., climate, ice, soil and water). (Canadian Council of Forest Ministers) return to top

Aboriginal – "aboriginal peoples of Canada" [which] include Indian, Inuit, and Métis peoples of Canada (Constitution Act 1992, Subsection 35(2)). (CSA Z808–96) return to top

Abundance – the number of organisms in a population, combining density within inhabited areas with number and size of inhabited areas. (Canadian Council of Forest Ministers) return to top

Access Management – management of all access road construction, deconstruction, maintenance and deactivation. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Activities – energetic action or movement; liveliness. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition) return to top

Adaptive Management (AM) – a systematic, rigorous approach to improving management and accommodating change by learning from the outcomes of management interventions. (BC Ministry of Forests – Forest Practices Management Branch) return to top

Age Class – any interval of time into which the age range of trees, forests, stands or forest types is decided for classification and use. (BC Ministry of Forests) return to top

Agriculture Land (High Value) – parcels of land, which, based on soil and climate capability hearings, are deemed necessary to be maintained for agricultural use. (Common Usage) return to top

Allowable Annual Cut (AAC) – the allowable rate of timber harvest from a specified area of land. British Columbia's Chief Forester sets AACs for timber supply areas (TSAs) and tree farm licences (TFLs) in accordance with the BC Forest Act. (BC Ministry of Forests) return to top

Analysis Units – the basic building blocks around which inventory data and other information are organized for use in forest planning models. Typically, these involve specific tree species or type groups that are further defined by site class, geographic location or similarity of management regimes. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Anthropogenic – relating to or influenced by the impact of man on nature (e.g., ecosystems) (Webster' Collegiate Dictionary) return to top

Apportionment – the distribution of the AAC for a TSA among timber tenures by the Minister in accordance with Section 10 of the Forest Act. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Aquatic – consisting of, relating to, or being in water. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition) return to top

B

Backlog – a Ministry of Forests term applied to forest land areas where silviculture treatments such as planting and site preparation are overdue. Planting is considered backlog if more than 5 years have elapsed since a site was cleared (by harvesting or fire) in the interior and more than 3 years on the coast of British Columbia. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Basic Silviculture – harvesting methods and silviculture operations including seed collecting, site preparation, artificial and natural regeneration, brushing, spacing and stand tending, and other operations that are for the purpose of establishing a free growing crop of trees of a commercially valuable species and are required in a regulation, pre–harvest silviculture prescription or silviculture prescription. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Best Management Practices – a practice or combination of practices that are determined to be the most technologically or economically feasible means of preventing or managing potential impacts. (Best Management Practices Handbook: Hillslope Restoration in British Columbia; Watershed Restoration Technical Circular No.3 (revised); May 2000; Watershed Restoration Program, BC MoF) return to top

Biodiversity (or biological diversity) – the variability among living organisms from all sources including inter alia terrestrial, marine, and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are part; this includes diversity within species, between species and of ecosystems (Canadian Biodiversity Strategy 1995) (CSA Z808–96) return to top

Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification – a hierarchical classification system scheme having three levels of integration: regional, local and chronological; and combining climatic, vegetation and site factors. (BC Ministry of Forests) return to top

Biogeoclimatic Zone – a large geographic area with a broadly homogenous macroclimate. Each zone is named after one or more of the dominant climax species of the ecosystems in the zone, and a geographic or climatic modifier. British Columbia has 14 biogeoclimatic zones. (BC Ministry of Forests) return to top

Biota – all of the living organisms in given ecosystem, including microorganisms, plants and animals. (Canadian Council of Forest Ministers) return to top

Biotic – pertaining to any living aspect of the environment, especially population or community characteristics. (Canadian Council of Forest Ministers) return to top

Blowdown (windthrow) – uprooting by the wind. Also refers to a tree or trees so uprooted. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

C

Catastrophic Event – a cataclysmic, disastrous incident, a violent usually destructive natural occurrence. (Merriam–Webster Dictionary online. return to top

Common Trails – a widely used, unrestricted right of way. (Common usage) return to top

Communities of Interest – sectors of society which share common goals and interests (e.g., First Nations, Recreation Associations). (Common usage) return to top

Community – a group of people with collective, common goals. (Common Usage) return to top

Community Forest Tenures – the control and use of land and resources contained within an area influenced by the urban population. (Dictionary of Natural Resource Management–J. & K. Dunster) return to top

Connectivity – a qualitative term describing the degree to which late–succession ecosystems are linked to one another to form an interconnected network. The degree of interconnectedness and the characteristics of the linkages vary in natural landscapes based on topography and natural disturbance regime. (BC Ministry of Forests) return to top

Considered – mentally contemplate. (Canadian Oxford Dictionary) return to top

Country–food harvest – the gathering and removal of crops or produce specific to an area. (Dictionary.com) return to top

Critical – being in or verging on a state of crisis or emergency. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition) return to top

Crown Land – land that is owned by the Crown; referred to as federal land when it is owned by Canada, and as provincial Crown land when it is owned by a province. Land refers to the land itself and the resources or values on or under it. (BC Ministry of Forests) return to top

Cut Control – a set of rules and actions specified in the Forest Act that describes the allowable variation in the annual harvest rate either above or below the allowable annual cut (AAC) approved by the chief forester. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

D

Defined Forest Area (DFA) – a specified area of forest, land, and water delineated for the purposes of registration of a Sustainable Forest Management System. (CSA Z808–96) return to top

Disturbed Areas – localities which have been impacted by natural events (fire, wind, flood, insects and also by human activities such as forest harvesting or construction of roads (Dictionary of Natural resource management + common usage) return to top

Diverse – made up of distinct characteristics, qualities, or elements. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition) return to top

Duly Established Aboriginal and Treaty Rights – existing Aboriginal and Treaty Rights are recognised and affirmed in the Canadian Constitution. When discussed in relation to renewable resources, such Aboriginal and Treaty Rights generally relate to hunting, fishing, and trapping, and in some cases, gathering. (CSA Z808–96 Page 31 Section 2.6.1) return to top

E

Ecological Reserves – areas of Crown land which have the potential to satisfy one or more of the following criteria:

• areas suitable for scientific research and educational purposes associated with studies in productivity and other aspects of the natural environment;
  
• areas which are representative of natural ecosystems;
  
• areas in which rare or endangered native plants or animals may be preserved in their natural habitat; and
  
• areas that contain unique geological phenomena. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Ecosystem – a functional unit consisting of all the living organisms (plants, animals, and microbes) in a given area, and all the non–living physical and chemical factors of their environment, linked together through nutrient cycling and energy flow. An ecosystem can be of any size–a log, pond, field, forest, or the earth's biosphere–but it always functions as a whole unit. Ecosystems are commonly described according to the major type of vegetation, for example, forest ecosystem, old–growth ecosystem, or range ecosystem. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Educational – of or relating to education. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition) return to top

Enhance – to make greater (as in value, desirability, or attractiveness). (Webster's Collegiate Dictionary) return to top

Environment – the surroundings in which an organization operates, including air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, humans, and their interrelation. (CSA Z808–96) return to top

Extraction – the act of extracting, or drawing out; as, the extraction of a tooth, of a bone or an arrow from the body, of a stump from earth, of a passage from a book, of an essence or tincture. (Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary) return to top

F

Fauna – the animal community found in one or more regions. (Canadian Council of Forest Ministers) return to top

Flora – the plant species found in one or more regions. (Canadian Council of Forest Ministers) return to top

Forest – a plant community of predominantly trees and other woody vegetation growing more or less closely together, its related flora and fauna, and the values attributed to it. (CSA Z808–96) return to top

Forest Area – see Defined Forest Area. return to top

Forest Land – land supporting forest growth or capable of so doing, or, if totally lacking forest growth, bearing evidence of former forest growth and not now in other use. (CSA Z808–96) return to top

Forest Product – an item that is manufactured from trees. Forest products can be classified as primary (originating from harvested timber, i.e., lumber, pulp, etc.), or secondary (a by–product of the lumber or pulp process, i.e. furniture, wood–based chemicals, etc.). (Common Usage) return to top

Forest Resources – resources and values associated with forests and range including, without limitation, timber, water, wildlife, recreation, botanical forest products, forage and biological diversity. (Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act) return to top

Fragmentation – the process of transforming large continuous forest patches into one or more smaller patches surrounded by disturbed areas. This occurs naturally through such agents as fire, landslides, windthrow and insect attack. In managed forests timber harvesting and related activities have been the dominant disturbance agents. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

G

Genetic Diversity – variation among and within species that is attributable to differences in hereditary material. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Genetically Improved Stock – seed or propagule that originate from a tree breeding program and that have been specifically designed to improve some attribute of seeds, seedlings, or vegetative propagules selection. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Goal – a broad, general statement that describes a desired state or condition related to one or more forest values. (CSA Z808–96) return to top

Grazing Tenure – the use and control of range land for cattle grazing purposes (common usage) return to top

H

Habitat – the place where an organism lives and/or the conditions of that environment including the soil, vegetation, water, and food. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Healthy – having or indicating good health in body or mind; free from infirmity or disease. (Dictionary,com) return to top

Healthy Community – a community evidencing growth, interdependence, and cooperation in a variety of areas. (Common usage) return to top

High Value Trails – a widely used, unrestricted right of way acknowledged as having local social or cultural significance. (Common usage) return to top

Hydrogeology – the branch of geology that deals with the occurrence, distribution, and effect of ground water. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition) return to top

Hydrologic Flows – the movement of groundwater near the durface. (Common Usage) return to top

Hydrology – the science that describes and analyzes the occurrence of water in nature, and its circulation near the surface of the earth. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

I

Incremental Silviculture – a Ministry of Forests term that refers to the treatments carried out to maintain or increase the yield and value of forest stands. Includes treatments such as site rehabilitation, conifer release, spacing, pruning, and fertilization. Also known as intensive silviculture. See Basic silviculture. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Independent – autonomous, self regulating. (Common Usage) return to top

Indicator – a measurable variable used to report progress toward the achievement of a goal. (CSA Z808–96) return to top

Indicator Species – species of plants used to predict site quality and characteristics. (BC MoF website glossary) return to top

Indigenous – a species of plant, animal, or abiotic material that is nature to a particular area (i.e., occurs naturally in an area and is not introduced). (Dictionary of Natural Resource Management, Julian and Katherine Dunster, 1996) return to top

Inoperable Lands – lands that are unsuited for timber production now and in the foreseeable future by virtue of their: elevation; topography; inaccessible location; low value of timber; small size of timber stands; steep or unstable soils that cannot be harvested without serious and irreversible damage to the soil or water resources; or designation as parks, wilderness areas, or other uses incompatible with timber production. (BC MoF website glossary) return to top

K

Keystone Species – a species that plays an important ecological role in determining the overall structure and dynamic relationships within a biotic community. A keystone species presence is essential to the integrity and stability of a particular ecosystem. (BC MoF website glossary) return to top

Known – to be able to distinguish; recognize as distinct. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition) return to top

L

Landscape – a spatial mosaic of several ecosystems, landforms and plant communities intermediate between an organism's normal home–range, size and its regional distribution. (Canadian Council of Forest Ministers). A watershed or series of similar and interacting watersheds, usually between 10,000 and 100,000 hectares in size. (BC Ministry of Forests Biodiversity Guidebook pp76.) return to top

Linkage – aphysical, biological, cultural, psychological, or policy connection or influence between two or more objects, processes, or policies. (Dictionary of Natural Resource Management, Julian and Katherine Dunster, 1996) return to top

Local – of, relating to, or characteristic of a particular place (i.e. the Morice TSA). (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition) return to top

M

Mean Annual Increment – the total volume increment for a given area to a given age in years, divided by that age (m3/ha/year). (BC MoF website glossary) return to top

N

Natural – being in accordance with or determined by nature or having a form or appearance found in nature. (Webster' Collegiate Dictionary) return to top

Natural Disturbance Type – an area that is characterized by a natural disturbance regime. (BC Ministry of Forests Biodiversity Guidebook pp76.) return to top

Natural Disturbance Pattern – the historic patterns (frequency and extent) of fire, insects, wind, landslides and other natural processes in an area. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Natural Range of Variability – the variation in extent or occurrence through time of ecosystems, and species resulting from naturally occurring biotic or abiotic disturbances. (Common Usage) return to top

Net Area to be Reforested (NAR) –

1. the portion of the area under a silviculture prescription that does not include
   
   1. an area occupied by permanent access structures,
      
   2. an area of rock, wetland or other area that in its natural state is incapable of growing a stand of trees that meets the stocking requirements specified in the prescription,
      
   3. an area of non–commercial forest cover of 4 ha or less that is indicated in the silviculture prescription as an area where the establishment of a free growing stand is not required,
      
   4. a contiguous area of more than 4 ha that the district manager determines is composed of non–commercial forest cover, or
      
   5. an area indicated in the silviculture prescription as a reserve area where the establishment of a free growing stand is not required, and
      
2. if there is no silviculture prescription for a cutblock in a woodlot licence area or community forest agreement area, the portion of the cutblock that does not include
   
   1. an area occupied by permanent access structures,
      
   2. an area of rock, wetland or other area that in its natural state is not capable of supporting a stand of trees that meets the stocking requirements specified in the regulations,
      
   3. an area of non–commercial forest cover of 4 ha or less that is indicated in an operational plan as an area where the establishment of a free growing stand is not required,
      
   4. a contiguous area of more than 4 ha that the district manager determines is composed of non–commercial forest cover, or
      
   5. an area indicated in an operational plan as a reserve area where the establishment of a free growing stand is not required. (Forest Practices Code of British Columbia Act; Part 1 – Definitions) return to top

Non–contributing – having no involvement or effect (Common Usage) return to top

O

Objective – a clear, specific statement of expected quantifiable results to be achieved within a defined period of time related to one or more goals. An objective is commonly stated as a desired level of an indicator. (CSA Z808–96) return to top

Opportunities – potential or possibilities of action and change (Common Usage) return to top

P

Patch – astand of similar–aged forest that differs in age from adjacent patches by more than 20 years. When used in the design of landscape patterns, the term refers to the size of either a natural disturbance opening that led to an even–aged forest of an opening created by cutblocks. (BC Ministry of Forests Biodiversity Guidebook pp76.) return to top

Period – an interval of time, typically expressed in hours, days, months or years. return to top

Permanent Access Structures – the area of land within the Designated Forest Area that has been converted through land–use policy (permanently removed from the productive forest landbase) to provide access for resources development and protection. To facilitate forest management, part of the forest land base is occupied permanently by roads and other structures that provide access to the forest. Permanent access structures include those main haul roads, spur roads, landings, gravel pits, borrow pits and permanent logging trails required to meet present and future management needs. Permanent access structures are to be identified on operational plans and prescriptions. These structures may be treated to prevent erosion or to reduce slope stability hazard (e.g., decompacting the running surface, pulling sidecast fill slope soil up onto the running surface, or revegetating exposed mineral soil surfaces). This does not alter their status as permanent access structures, if these treatments are not adequate to enable reforestation or to ensure that the prescribed stocking and performance requirements will be met within the free growing time limits. (BC Forest Practices Code Soil Conservation Guidebook) return to top

Permanent Site Disturbance – roads, landings, gravel pits, and permanent skid trails return to top

Productive Forest Land – forest land that is capable of producing a merchantable stand within a defined period of time. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Productive Land Base – see Defined Forest Area return to top

Profitable – yielding profit; advantageous or lucrative. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition) return to top

Protect – the action of safe guarding and caring for the welfare of a person, area or thing. (Common Usage) return to top

Public Advisory Group – an assembly that provides local people, community groups and general public that are interested in, or affected by, the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) certification for HFP's Defined Forest Area with a focused process for shared decision–making. (Common Usage) return to top

R

Rare Ecosystems – infrequently occurring; uncommon functional unit consisting of all the living organisms (plants, animals, and microbes) in a given area, and all the non–living physical and chemical factors of their environment, linked together through nutrient cycling and energy flow. (Common Usage) return to top

Rare Flora and Fauna – infrequently occurring; uncommon plants and animals in a given area. (Common Usage) return to top

Recreation Feature – a biological, physical, cultural or historic feature that has recreational significance or value. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Recreation Opportunity Spectrum (ROS) – a mix of outdoor settings based on remoteness, area size, and evidence of humans, which allows for a variety of recreation activities and experiences. The descriptions used to classify the settings are on a continuum and are described as: rural, roaded resource, semi–primitive motorized, semi–primitive non–motorized, and primitive. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Recruitment – the action of enrolling or enlisting people and resources (Common Usage) return to top

Regeneration – the renewal of a tree crop through either natural means (seeded on–site from adjacent stands or deposited by wind, birds, or animals) or artificial means (by planting seedlings or direct seeding). (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Regeneration Assumptions – hypotheses regarding the renewal of a tree crop through either natural means (seeded on–site from adjacent stands or deposited by wind, birds, or animals) or artificial means (by planting seedlings or direct seeding). (Common Usage) return to top

Regeneration Delay – the maximum time allowed in a prescription, between the start of harvesting in the area to which the prescription applies, and the earliest date by which the prescription requires a minimum number of acceptable well–spaced trees per hectare to be growing in that area. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Resource Value – values on Crown land which include but are not limited to biological diversity, fisheries, wildlife, minerals, oil and gas, energy, water quality and quantity, recreation and tourism, natural and cultural heritage resource, timber, forage, wilderness and aesthetic values. (BC Ministry of Forests) return to top

Return on Capital Employed – a key financial statistic reflecting the rate of return that the company's management has obtained, on the shareholders' behalf, by their management of the company's assets. ROCE is determined by dividing net income before income taxes for the past 12 months by Common Shareholder's Equity and Long–term Liability. The result is shown as a percentage. (Common Usage) return to top

Riparian – an area of land adjacent to a stream, river, lake or wetland that contains vegetation that, due to the presence of water, is distinctly different from the vegetation of adjacent upland areas. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Road Density Index – a ratio describing the extent of road development within a given watershed. (Common Usage) return to top

S

Scenic Area – any visually sensitive area or scenic landscape identified through a visual landscape inventory or planning process carried out or approved by the district manager. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Seral Stages – the stages of ecological succession of a plant community, e.g., from young stage to old stage. The characteristic sequence of biotic communities that successively occupy and replace each other by which some components of the physical environment becomes altered over time. The age and structure of seral stages varies significantly from one biogeoclimatic zone to another. (BC Ministry of Forests Biodiversity Guidebook) return to top

Social – of or relating to human society and its modes of organization. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition) return to top

Soil – the naturally occurring, unconsolidated mineral or organic material at the surface of the earth that is capable of supporting plant growth. It extends from the surface to 15 cm below the depth at which properties produced by soil–forming processes can be detected. The soil–forming processes are an interaction between climate, living organisms, and relief acting on soil and soil parent material. Unconsolidated material includes material cemented or compacted by soil–forming processes. Soil may have water covering its surface to a depth of 60 cm or less in the driest part of the year. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Species Sensitive to Disturbance – plants or animals susceptible to disrurbance by natural events (fire, wind, flood, insects) and also by human activities such as forest harvesting or construction of roads. (Common Usage) return to top

Stability – the state or quality of being stable, especially: (a) Resistance to change, deterioration, or displacement; (b) Constancy of character or purpose; steadfastness; (c) Reliability; dependability. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition) return to top

Stand – a community of trees sufficiently uniform in species composition, age, arrangement, and condition to be distinguishable as a group from the forest or other growth on the adjoining area, and thus forming a silviculture or management entity. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

Standard Operating Procedure – established procedure to be followed in carrying out a given operation or in a given situation. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition) return to top

Structural Stage – the existing dominant stand appearance and structure for an ecosystem unit. (Common Usage) return to top

Sustainability – the concept of producing a biological resource under management practices that ensure replacement of the part harvested, by regrowth or reproduction, before another harvest occurs. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

T

Temporary Access Structures – the area of land within the Designated Forest Area that has been converted through land–use policy (temporarily removed from the productive forest landbase to be rehabilitated after use) to provide access for resources development and protection. Temporary access structures include those haul roads, landings and excavated or bladed trails that will be restored to a productive state upon completion of harvesting. Temporary access structures are identified on operational plans and prescriptions. All areas occupied by temporary access structures must be rehabilitated so that all silvicultural obligations are achieved on the whole of the net area to be reforested. (BC Forest Practices Code Soil Conservation Guidebook) return to top

Tourism – the business of providing tours and services for tourists. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition). return to top

Tree Species Profile – adescription of the tree species composition of a DFA. (Common Usage) return to top

Trekking – a hike or journey, perceived to be long and possibly arduous. (Common Usage) return to top

U

Understory – any plants growing under the canopy formed by other plants, particularly
herbaceous and shrub vegetation under a tree canopy. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

V

Value – a principle, standard, or quality considered worthwhile or desirable. (CSA Z808–96) return to top

Viable – an action or proposed action which has a feasible, realistic outcome. (Common Usage) return to top

Visually Effective Greenup – the stage at which regeneration is seen by the public as newly established forest. When VEG is achieved the forest cover generally blocks views of tree stumps, logging debris and bare ground. Distinctions in height, colour, and texture may remain between a cutblock and adjacent forest but the cutblock will no longer be seen as recently cut–over. (BC MoF Visual Landscape Design, Training Manual) return to top

Visual Quality Objective – aresource management objective established by the district manager or contained in a higher level plan that reflects the desired level of visual quality based on the physical characteristics and social concern for the area. Five categories of VQO are commonly used: preservation; retention; partial retention; modification; and, maximum modification. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top

W

Water Flow Regime – the passage of water under the influence of gravity through soils, rocks, and other substrates. (Dictionary of Natural Resource Management, Julian and Katherine Dunster, 1996) return to top

Watershed – an area of land, which may or may not be under forest cover, draining water, organic matter, dissolved nutrients, and sediments into a lake or stream. The topographic boundary, usually a height of land that marks the dividing line from which surface streams flow in two different directions. (Dictionary of Natural Resource Management, Julian and Katherine Dunster, 1996) return to top

Well–used Trails – a widely used, unrestricted right of way acknowledged as receiving a significant amount of public use. (Common usage)

Windthrow – see Blowdown. return to top

Winter Range – a range, usually at lower elevation, used by migratory deer, elk, caribou, moose, etc., during the winter months and typically better defined and smaller than summer range. (BC MoF Web Site Glossary) return to top