ASTM D7480-21

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D7480 − 08 (Reapproved 2014) D7480 − 21
Standard Guide for
Evaluating the Attributes of a Forest Management Plan
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7480; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide provides a list of criteria and indicators that have been shown to be useful in achieving the goals of a sustainable
forest management plan. This guide lists a set of criteria considered to be important for the following tasks:
1.1.1 To describe, assess, and evaluate progress toward sustainability of forest management at the national, regional, or individual
forest level.
1.1.2 To inform the policy debate at regional, national, and international levels.
1.1.3 To evaluate the attributes of a forest management certification or evaluation system with a specific combination of forest
management principles, practices, or adaptations, where such practices are evaluated against a set of prescribed standards.
Although this guide provides a qualitative list of criteria for evaluation of forest conditions, it does not purport to recommend any
specific forest management certification or evaluation system or subset of overall attributes. The guide does not replace forest
certification or verification standards.
1.2 This guide will require compilation of information from multiple sources across various governmental and nongovernmental
agencies. For this guide to be useful, it is recommended that the information collected is in alignment with that which is already
collected for other purposes; otherwise these indicators may be too great an effort to combine in a timely fashion.
NOTE 1—Although this document provides general guidance applicable to forests and forest products from many countries, its initial application is
expected to focus on North America.
1.3 This guide cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment such as that
provided by foresters, forest scientists, and wood technologists.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D07 on Wood and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D07.08 on Forests.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2014Oct. 1, 2021. Published February 2014October 2021. Originally approved in 2008. Last previous edition approved in 20082014 as
D7480–08. –08 (2014). DOI: 10.1520/D7480-08R14.10.1520/D7480-21.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7480 − 21
TABLE 1 Criteria 1–6
Criterion Element Indicator
1. Conservation of biological 1.1 Ecosystem diversity 1.1a Area and percent of forest by forest ecosystem type, successional stage, age class,
diversity and forest ownership or tenure
1.1b Area and percent of forest in protected areas by forest ecosystem type and by age
class or successional stage
1.1c Fragmentation of forests
1.2 Species diversity 1.2a Number of native forest associated species
1.2b Number and status of native forest associated species at risk, as determined by
legislation or scientific assessment
1.2c Status of on site and off site efforts focused on conservation of species diversity
1.3 Genetic diversity 1.3a Number and geographic distribution of forest associated species at risk of losing
genetic variation and locally adapted genotypes
1.3b Population levels of selected representative forest associated species to describe
genetic diversity
1.3c Status of on site and off site efforts focused on conservation of genetic diversity
2. Maintenance of productive 2.a Area and percent of forest land and net area of forest land available for wood
capacity of forest ecosystems production
2.b Total growing stock and annual increment of both merchantable and non-merchantable
tree species in forests available for wood production
2.c Area, percent, and growing stock of plantations of native and exotic species
2.d Annual harvest of wood products by volume and as a percentage of net growth or
sustained yield
2.e Annual harvest of non-wood forest products
3. Maintenance of forest 3.a Area and percent of forest affected by biotic processes and agents (for example,
ecosystem health and vitality disease, insects, invasive species) beyond reference conditions
3.b Area and percent of forest affected by abiotic agents (for example, fire, storm, land
clearance) beyond reference conditions
4. Conservation and maintenance 4.1 Protective Function 4.1a Area and percent of forest whose designation or land management focus is the
of soil and water resources protection of soil or water resources
4.2 Soil 4.2a Proportion of forest management activities that meet best management practices or
other relevant legislation to protect soil resources
4.2b Area and percent of forest land with significant soil degradation
4.3 Water 4.3a Proportion of forest management activities that meet best management practices, or
other relevant legislation, to protect water related resources
4.3b Area and percent of water bodies, or stream length, in forest areas with significant
change in physical, chemical, or biological properties from reference conditions
5. Maintenance of forest 5.a Total forest ecosystem carbon pools and fluxes
contribution to global carbon 5.b Total forest product carbon pools and fluxes
cycles 5.c Avoided fossil fuel carbon emissions by using forest biomass for energy
6. Maintenance and enhancement 6.1 Production and consumption 6.1a Value and volume of wood and wood products production, including primary and
of long-term multiple socio- secondary processing
economic benefits to meet the 6.1b Value of non-wood forest products produced or collected
needs of societies 6.1c Revenue from forest based environmental services
6.1d Total and per capita consumption of wood and wood products in round wood
equivalents
6. Maintenance and enhancement 6.1 Production and consumption 6.1e Total and per capita consumption of non-wood products
of long-term multiple socio- 6.1f Value and volume in round wood equivalents of exports and imports of wood products
economic benefits to meet the 6.1g Value of exports and imports of non-wood products
needs of societies 6.1h Exports as a share of wood and wood products production and imports as a share of
wood and wood products consumption
6.1i Recovery or recycling of forest products as a percent of total forest products
consumption
6.2 Investment in the forest sector 6.2a Value of capital investment and annual expenditure in forest management, wood and
non-wood product industries, forest-based environmental services, recreation, and tourism
6.2b Annual investment and expenditure in forest-related research, extension and
development, and education
6.3 Employment and community 6.3a Employment in the forest sector
needs 6.3b Average wage rates, annual average income, and annual injury rates in major forest
employment categories
6.3c Resilience of forest-dependent communities
6.3d Area and percent of forests used for subsistence purposes
6.3e Distribution of revenues derived from forest management
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TABLE 1 Continued
Criterion Element Indicator
6.4 Recreation and tourism 6.4a Area and percent of forests available or managed for public recreation and tourism, or
both
6.4b Number, type, and geographic distribution of visits attributed to recreation and tourism
and related to facilities available
6.5 Cultural, social and spiritual 6.5a Area and percent of forests managed primarily to protect the range of cultural, social
needs and values and spiritual needs and values
6.5b The importance of forests to people
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D9 Terminology Relating to Wood and Wood-Based Products
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Standard definitions of wood terms are given in Terminology D9.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Related to the Field of Forestry:
3.2.1 criterion, n—a category of conditions or processes by which sustainable forest management may be assessed. A criterion is
characterized by a set of related indicators which are monitored periodically to assess change.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—
A criterion is characterized by a set of related indicators which are monitored periodically to assess change. Montréal Process
3.2.2 criterion indicator, n—a measure (measurement) of an aspect of the criterion. A quantitative or qualitative variable which
can be measured or described and which when observed periodically demonstrates trends. Montréal Process
3.2.2 ecosystem, n—a dynamic complex of plant, animal, fungal, and micro-organism communities and the associated non-living
environment with which they interact.system of plants, animals, and other organisms, together with the non-living components of
the environment functioning as an independent unit.
Montréal Process
3.2.3 forest management practice, management, n—a specific activity, measure, course of action, or treatment.branch of forestry
concerned with the overall administrative, economic, legal and social aspects and with the essentially scientific and technical
aspects, especially silviculture, protection and forest regulation. USFSNatural Resources Canada
3.2.4 forest type, n—a category of forest defined by its vegetation, particularly composition, or locality factors, or any combination
thereof, and/or locality, as categorized by each country in a system suitable to its situation. Montréal Process
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
“Criteria and Indicators for the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Temperate and Boreal Forests,” The Montréal Process,Montréal Process Criteria and
Indicators, Third Edition, DecemberFifth Ed., Sept. 20072015, Online,Online:
available, http://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/mpci/meetings/an-6.pdf, 1 December 2008.https://bit.ly/3s8kozZ.
Available from the United States Forestry Service (USFS), 1400 Independence Ave.,Forestry Glossary of Natural Resources Canada, Dec. 8, 2020SW Washington, ,
Online:
DC 20250-0003, http://www.fs.fed.us.https://bit.ly/3mG2zHp.
Available from the Society of American Foresters (SAF), 5400 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814-2198, http://www.safnet.org.
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3.2.5 forestry, n—forestry is the science profession embracing the science, business, and art of attaining desired forest conditions
and benefits to sustain and enhance forest resources for diverse benefits in perpetuity.creating, conserving, and managing forests
and forest lands for the continuing use of their resources, material or other.
Society of American ForestersNatural Resources Canada
3.2.6 indicator, n—measure (measurement) of an aspect of the criterion.
3.2.6.1 Discussion—
A quantitative or qualitative variable which can be measured or described and which when observed periodically demonstrates
trends. Montréal Process
3.2.7 monitoring, n—the periodic and systematic measurement and assessment of change of an indicator.
Montréal Process
3.2.8 sustainable forest management, management (SFM), n—the practice of meeting the forest resource needs and values of the
present generations with a goal of preserving the similar capacity of future generations. Sustainable forest management involves
practicing a land stewardship ethic that integrates the reforestation, managing, growing, nurturing, and harvesting of tress for useful
products with the conservation of soil, air, and water quality; wildlife and fish habitat; and aesthetics.stewardship and use of forests
and forest lands in such a way, and at a rate, that maintains their biodiversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, and vitality, and
their potential to fulfill, now and in the future, relevant ecological, economic, and social functions at local, national, and global
levels, and that does not cause damage to other ecosystems.
Dictionary of ForestryMontréal Process
3.2.9 sustained-yield, n—the achievement and maintenance over multigenerational timeframes of a high-level annual or regular
periodic output of the various renewable resources of the forest without impairment of its productivity. USFS
3.3 Additional Terms Related to Sustainability and Certification/Verification Programs:
3.3.1 biobased product—a commercial or industrial product (other than food or feed) that is composed, in whole or in significant
part, of biological products or renewable agricultural materials (including plant, animal, and marine materials) or forestry
materials.
3.3.2 certified forest content—certified forest content is tracked through a chain of custody process either by physical separation
or percentage based approaches.
3.3.3 certified wood (or wood-based product)—derived/manufactured from an acceptable content of raw material from certified
forest, other acceptable sources and recycled content as determined by a credible and reliable forest certification programs.
Certified wood or wood-based products comply with all applicable standards for their intended use as required by the International
Building Code and related Codes.
3.3.4 chain of custody (COC)—a defined process that allows companies to make claims about how much of the fiber in their
product comes from certified forests, how much fiber comes from acceptable sources, and how much of the fiber comes from
recycled content. COC is typically third party audited in accordance with forest certification/verification programs.
3.3.5 forestry materials—materials derived from the practice of planting and caring for forests and the management of growing
timber. Such materials must come from short rotation woody crops (less than ten years old), sustainably managed forests, wood
residues, or forest thinnings.
3.3.6 other acceptable sources—other acceptable sources refers to forest content that, while not from a certified forest, can be
verified as not coming from a non-acceptable source as defined by the certification program.
Forestry Glossary of Natural Resources Canada, Dec. 8, 2020, Online:
https://bit.ly/3t9aqjj.
Helms, J. A., ed., The Dictionary of Forestry, Society of American Foresters, Bethesda, MD, 1998.Technical Notes on Implementation of the Montreal Process Criteria
and Indicators, Third Edition, June 2009 (Revised July 2014), Online, Available:
https://bit.ly/2Rpbu4C.
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3.3.7 non acceptable sources—illegal or unauthorized harvesting as defined by the forest certification programs referenced in this
guideline.
3.3.8 procurement system—a system requiring organizations buying raw materials to have an auditable procurement process
designed to improve forest management on all suppliers’ lands and ensure all fiber comes from known and legal sources.
3.3.9 wood-based product—any material which consist of a minimum of 90 % of forest materials as measured by either weight
or volume.
4. Summary of Guide
4.1 The criteria and indicators listed under Sections 6 and 7 apply broadly to temperate and boreal forests. They are intended to
provide a common understanding of what is meant by sustainable forest management. Section 6 provides a common framework
for describing, assessing, and evaluating a country’s progress toward sustainability at the national or regional level. Section 7
provides smaller-scale systems, plans, and practices to assess sustainability at the individual forest management level.
4.2 The criteria and indicators are intended to provide an international reference for policy-makers in the formulation of national
and regional policies and a basis for international cooperation aimed at supporting sustainable forest management. Internationally
agreeable criteria and indicators will help to clarify ongoing dialogues related to international trade in products from sustainably
managed forests.
4.3 The additional terms related to sustainability and certification/verification systems (see 3.3) are included in this guide to
provide a common reference for these terms that are commonly associated (either directly or indirectly) with products derived from
sustainably managed forests.
NOTE 2—While the inclusion of the terms noted in 3.3 are peripheral to the main thrust of this guide, their “standardization” within an ASTM document
provides enormous benefits for various groups of users of this document.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This guide is intended to be used by developers of standards and other documents in the field of renewable resources and green
building to evaluate whether the attributes of a specific forest management system meet the intent of sustainable forest
management.
5.2 In addition to the attributes addressed by this document, some users may wish to impose other evaluation criteria intended to
satisfy goals beyond maintaining sustained-yield and sustainable forest management. While these issues are not specifically
addressed in this guide, some are discussed in Appendix X1, Commentary.
6. Criteria and Indicators Used to Assess a National or Regional Forest Management Program
6.1 The criteria and indicators provide a common framework to describe, monitor, assess, and report on national or regional forest
trends and progress toward sustainable forest management. They also provide a common understanding of what is meant by
sustainable forest management and may be understood to constitute an implicit definition of sustainable forest management.
6.2 The criteria and indicators help provide an international reference for policy-makers in the formulation of national policies and
a basis for international cooperation aimed at supporting sustainable forest management.
6.3 Taken together, the criteria and indicators reflect a holistic approach to forests as ecosystems, addressing the full range of forest
values. No single criterion or indicator is alone an indication of sustainability. Rather, individual criteria and indicators should be
considered in the context of other criteria and indicators.
6.4 The seven criteria given in Tables 1 and 2 characterize the essential components of sustainable forest management (for
example, biodiversity conservation). Each criterion is characterized by a set of indicators, which provides a way to measure or
describe the criterion. No priority or order is implied in the listing of seven criteria or their associated indicators.
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TABLE 2 Criteria 7
Criterion Element Indicator
7. Legal, institutional, and policy 7.1 Extent to which the legal 7.1a Clarifies property rights, provides for appropriate land tenure arrangements,
framework for forest conservation framework (laws, regulations, recognizes customary and traditional rights of indigenous people, and provides means of
and sustainable management guidelines) supports the resolving property disputes by due process
conservation and sustainable 7.1b Provides for periodic forest-related planning, assessment, and policy review that
management of forests, including recognizes the range of forest values, including coordination with relevant sectors
the extent to which it: 7.1c Provides opportunities for public participation in public policy and decision-making
related to forests and public access to information
7.1d Encourages best practice codes for forest management
7.1e Provides-for the management of forests to conserve special environmental, cultural,
social, or scientific values, or a combination thereof
7.2 Extent to which the 7.2a Provide for public involvement activities and public education, awareness and
institutional framework supports extension programs, and make available forest-related information
the conservation and sustainable 7.2b Undertake and implement periodic forest-related planning, assessment, and policy
management of forests, including review including cross-sectoral planning and coordination
the capacity to: 7.2c Develop and maintain human resource skills across relevant disciplines
7.2d Develop and maintain efficient physical infrastructure to facilitate the supply of forest
products and services and support forest management
7.2e Enforce laws, regulations, and guidelines
7.3 Extent to which the economic 7.3a Investment and taxation policies and a regulatory environment which recognize the
framework (economic policies and long-term nature of investments and permit the flow of capital in and out of the forest sector
measures) supports the in response to market signals, non-market economic valuations, and public policy decisions
conservation and sustainable in order to meet long-term demands for forest products and services
management of forests through: 7.3b Non-discriminatory trade policies for forest products
7.4 Capacity to measure and 7.4a Availability and extent of up-to-date data, statistics and other information important to
monitor changes in the measuring or describing indicators associated with Criteria 1-7
conservation and sustainable 7.4b Scope, frequency, and statistical reliability of forest inventories, assessments,
management of forests, including: monitoring, and other relevant information
7.4c Compatibility with other countries in measuring, monitoring, and reporting on indicators
7.5 Capacity to conduct and apply 7.5a Development of scientific understanding of forest ecosystem characteristics and
research and development aimed functions
at improving forest management 7.5b Development of methodologies to measure and integrate environmental and social
and delivery of forest goods and costs and benefits into markets and public policies, and to reflect forest-related resource
services, including: depletion or replenishment in national accounting systems
7.5c New technologies and the capacity to assess the socio-economic consequences
associated with the introduction of new technologies
7.5d Enhancement of ability to predict impacts of human intervention on forests
7.5e Ability to predict impacts on forests of possible climate change
6.5 While many indicators are quantitative in nature, others are qualitative or descriptive. Some indicators can be readily measured
(for example, percent of forest cover). Others may require the collection of new or additional data, the establishment of systematic
sampling or even basic research.
6.6 When indicators are measured periodically over time, they indicate change and trends in conditions relevant to sustainable
forest management, including natural, social, economic, and policy conditions. Monitoring these changes provides information
needed to evaluate a country’s progress toward sustainable forest management. This information is essential to making informed
forest policy decisions.
6.7 Each country or region is different in terms of the quantity, quality, and characteristics of its forests. Countries also differ in
terms of population and land ownership patterns, stages of economic development, governance structures, and expectations of how
forests should contribute to society. These differences affect the capacity of countries to collect data, as well as the data collection
methods employed. While the criteria and indicators facilitate harmonized approaches to forest assessment and reporting among
countries, they also allow for flexibility in application to reflect national circumstances.
NOTE 3—Harmonization of information—collecting data for specific indicators in a common or comparable manner—among countries or regions is key
to meeting the objectives of 1.1.
6.8 As national level assessment tools, the criteria and indicators provide a basis for reporting on all forests in a country, including
public and private forests, tropical forests, and plantation forests. Although they are not performance standards or designed to
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assess sustainability at the forest management unit level, they provide a framework for developing policies, plans, and inventories
at both national and regional levels and can serve as a model for monitoring and reporting on other natural resources, such as
rangelands, freshwater, and minerals.
6.9 Tables 1 and 2 list the criteria and indicators for the measurement of conservation and sustainable management of temperate
and boreal forests. They relate specifically to forest conditions, attributes, or functions and to the values or benefits associated with
the environmental and socio-economic goods and services that forests provide. The intent or meaning of each criterion is made
clear by its respective indicators. No priority or order is implied in the alphanumeric listing of the criteria and indicators.
7. Criteria and Indicators Used to Assess an Individual Forest Management Program
7.1 Table 3 lists the criteria and indicators for the measurement of conservation and sustainable management of individual forests.
The intent or meaning of each criterion is made clear by its respective indicators. No priority or order is implied in the
alphanumeric listing of the criteria and indicators. Elements of each criteria are also considered to be systems. Indicators are also
considered to be plans or practices common to forest management principles.
7.2 Some users may wish to include forest management program attributes that extend beyond those normally associated directly
with sustainable forest management. Examples of such optional program features include:
7.2.1 Certification/Verification—Documentation of fulfillment of specific criteria and indicators is ultimately the responsibility of
the forest owner or forest product manufacturer. However, some programs provide the additional feature of independent
verification or certification of conformance, or both.
7.2.2 Other Forest Harvesting Restrictions—To address specific forest related issues, some programs impose restrictions related
to species type, tree age, or similar concerns.
7.2.3 Additional considerations related to specific societal concerns (not related to forest sustainability).
8. Keywords
8.1 criterion; forest management plans; forests; indicators; sustainability
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TABLE 3 Criteria 1–7 for Individual Forests
Criterion Element/System Indicator/Plan/Practice
1. Contribute to the A. Available expertise is sought for assessing biodiversity A. Necessary expertise (consultants, state forestry, natural
conservation of biological considerations at the site and landscape levels heritage program staff, etc.) has been utilized to assess the
diversity of the forest and the biodiversity contribution of the property
landscape in which it resides
B. Rare and endangered species and plant communities are B. The forest’s diversity, uniqueness, and risks (pests, fire,
identified and their protection or enhancement is addressed weather, etc.) have been identified and are a consideration in
management
C. Forest dynamics, major disturbances, and catastrophic C. Forest dynamics, major disturbances, and catastrophic
events are factored into decision making events are factored into biodiversity decision making
2. Maintain or improve A. Timber and non-timber products and habitats are identified A. The productive capacity of the forest has been mapped for
productive capacity for the forest timber and significant non-timber products have been identified
B. Long-term and short-term productive capacities and targets B. Growth, mortality, and harvest rates of the forest types have
are established been determined
C. Targets are sustainable C. Regeneration after harvest is planned and successfully
implemented
D. Appropriate science and technology is used D. Long-term site capacity is maintained
E. Harvest, utilization, and marketing are efficient
F. Loggers and other contractors that have been trained are
used
G. Appropriate expertise is used regarding wildlife
management
H. Habitats, including sites at environmental risk and with
ecological/cultural uniqueness, are identified and a
consideration of management
3. Maintain the health and vigor A. Tree species selection, stocking levels, age-class A. Tree species selection, stocking levels, spacing, age-class
of the forest and its landscape/ distribution, integrated pest management, and fuel loadings are distribution, regeneration methods, insect and disease
watershed addressed with the objective of reducing the risk insect and outbreaks, fuel loads, and wildfires are managed to reduce risk
disease outbreaks and unwanted wildfire and promoting long- and insure long-term forest vigor
term forest vigor
B. Cooperation regarding forest risk assessments, monitoring, B. Fuel loads, insect and disease populations, and overall
prevention, and incident response is encouraged forest vigor are addressed
C. Chemicals are used appropriately and safely within the C. Approaches to monitoring, prevention, and incident
manufacturer’s recommendations response are in place and include cooperation with local, state,
and federal agencies and neighboring landowners as
appropriate
D. Grazing is managed to prevent negative impacts D. Grazing is managed to prevent negative impacts
E. Introduction and spread of invasive non-native flora and
fauna is addressed
4. Protect soil and water A.
...