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Evidence-based knowledge versus negotiated indicators for assessment of ecological sustainability: the Swedish Forest Stewardship Council Standard as a case study

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dc.contributor.authorAngelstam, P.
dc.contributor.authorRoberge, J.M.
dc.contributor.authorAxelsson, R.
dc.contributor.authorElbakidze, M.
dc.contributor.authorBergman, K.O.
dc.contributor.authorDahlberg, A.
dc.contributor.authorDegerman, E.
dc.contributor.authorEggers, S.
dc.contributor.authorEsseen, P.A.
dc.contributor.authorHjältén, J.
dc.contributor.authorJohansson, T.
dc.contributor.authorMüller, J.
dc.contributor.authorPaltto, H.
dc.contributor.authorSnäll, T.
dc.contributor.authorSoloviy, I.
dc.contributor.authorTörnblom, J.
dc.date.accessioned2022-01-23T18:56:29Z
dc.date.available2022-01-23T18:56:29Z
dc.identifier.urihttps://open.fsc.org/handle/resource/782
dc.titleEvidence-based knowledge versus negotiated indicators for assessment of ecological sustainability: the Swedish Forest Stewardship Council Standard as a case studyen
dcterms.abstractAssessing ecological sustainability involves monitoring of indicators and comparison of their states with performance targets that are deemed sustainable. First, a normative model was developed centered on evidence-based knowledge about (a) forest composition, structure, and function at multiple scales, and (b) performance targets derived by quantifying the habitat amount in naturally dynamic forests, and as required for presence of populations of specialized focal species. Second, we compared the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification standards' ecological indicators from 1998 and 2010 in Sweden to the normative model using a Specific, Measurable, Accurate, Realistic, and Timebound (SMART) indicator approach. Indicator variables and targets for riparian and aquatic ecosystems were clearly under-represented compared to terrestrial ones. FSC's ecological indicators expanded over time from composition and structure towards function, and from finer to coarser spatial scales. However, SMART indicators were few. Moreover, they poorly reflected quantitative evidence-based knowledge, a consequence of the fact that forest certification mirrors the outcome of a complex social negotiation process.en
dcterms.accessRightsPublic
dcterms.accessRightsOpen access
dcterms.bibliographicCitationAngelstam, P., Roberge, J., Axelsson, R., Elbakidze, M., Bergman, K., Dahlberg, A., Degerman, E., Eggers, S., Esseen, P., Hjältén, J., Johansson, T., Müller, J., Paltto, H., Snäll, T., Soloviy, I. and Törnblom, J., 2013. Evidence-Based Knowledge Versus Negotiated Indicators for Assessment of Ecological Sustainability: The Swedish Forest Stewardship Council Standard as a Case Study. AMBIO, 42(2), pp.229-240.en
dcterms.issued2013
dcterms.languageen
dcterms.licenseCopyrighted; all rights reserveden
dcterms.typeJournal Article
dspace.entity.typePublication
fsc.evidenceCategoryFSC impact-related
fsc.focus.forestTypeNatural Forest
fsc.focus.forestZoneBoreal
fsc.focus.sustainDimensionEnvironmental
fsc.issue.environmentalBiodiversity
fsc.issue.environmentalHigh Conservation Values
fsc.issue.environmentalWater and soil
fsc.subjectForests
fsc.subjectCentral Africa
fsc.subjectCertification
fsc.subjectBiodiversidad
fsc.subjectBiodiversity
fsc.subjectForest certification
fsc.subjectLogging Concessions
fsc.subjectRoad Networks
fsc.subjectRoad Density
fsc.subjectRoadless Areas
fsc.subjectSustainable forest management
fsc.topic.politicalGovernance
is.availability.fullTextFull text available
is.contributor.funderTypePrivate funds (NGOs, companies, VSS self-funded etc)
is.contributor.memberForest Stewardship Council
is.coverage.countrySweden
is.coverage.countryAlpha2SE
is.coverage.geographicLevelCountry
is.coverage.latitude60.128161
is.coverage.longitude18.643501
is.coverage.regionEurope
is.evaluation.collectionCase studies
is.evaluation.counterfactsNo
is.evaluation.dataSourceIntergovernmental data (World Bank, UN, FAO data)
is.evaluation.quotesThis study thus shows that even if there are gaps regarding evidence-based knowledge of how to define ecological sustainability, the mismatch between existing evidence-based knowledge and what is applied in the Swedish FSC standard is large. This is not surprising as FSC has the character of a social process, and not an evidence-based collaborative learning process with the aim to reach all dimensions of SFM.
is.evaluation.quotesUltimately, this calls for harmonization of national standards' indicators among countries and regions with similar ecosystems so that they better mirror evidence-based ecological knowledge that maintains ecological sustainability with an agreed ambition level, and produce desired results on the ground.
is.evaluation.quotesIndicator variables and targets for riparian and aquatic ecosystems were clearly under-represented compared to terrestrial ones. FSC's ecological indicators expanded over time from composition and structure towards function, and from finer to coarser spatial scales. However, SMART indicators were few. Moreover, they poorly reflected quantitative evidence-based knowledge, a consequence of the fact that forest certification mirrors the outcome of a complex social negotiation process.
is.evidenceSubTypeOther resources - synthesis products
is.evidenceTypeBriefing or opinion
is.extent.pages229-240
is.extent.volume42
is.focus.productsForestry products
is.focus.sdgSDG 15 - Life on Land
is.focus.sectorsAgriculture
is.focus.sectorsForestry
is.focus.sustainDimensionEnvironmental
is.focus.sustainDimensionSocial
is.focus.sustainIssuePlant and wildlife conservation
is.focus.sustainIssueForests and other ecosystems
is.focus.sustainLensEcosystem
is.focus.sustainLensLandscape approaches
is.focus.sustainLensTransnational governance
is.focus.sustainOutcomeDeforestation and forest protection
is.focus.sustainOutcomeEcosystem quality
is.focus.sustainOutcomeSpecies composition
is.focus.sustainOutcomeRiparian areas
is.focus.systemElementMandE outcomes and impacts
is.focus.systemElementMandE performance monitoring
is.identifier.codeImpacts
is.identifier.doihttps://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-012-0377-z
is.identifier.fscdoihttp://dx.doi.org/10.34800/fsc-international491
is.identifier.schemeNameForest Stewardship Council
is.identifier.schemeTypeVoluntary Sustainability Standards
is.item.reviewStatusPeer reviewed
is.journalNameAmbio
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