Sustainable management: how does this concept affect forestry in New Zealand?

Abstract

The focus of this study is on sustainable management, the axle of the Resource Management Act 1991, and how this concept will affect the effects on the environment from New Zealand forests and related forestry operations.

It is principally a review of literature about the Resource Management Act and Forestry in general. From this review it becomes obvious that clearfelling of New Zealand forests does not comply with the requirements of sustainable management. This is because clearfelling has an adverse effect on the environment, which include an increase in; - soil erosion, - nutrient loss, - sediment loading in water, and, - the levels and frequency of flood events.

According to the Act these adverse effects must be avoided, remedied or mitigated. For New Zealand forestry this is possible using a variety of controls, including guidelines, environmental bottom lines, education and economic measures. According to the Act these controls can be applied to policy statements, plans, and set as conditions as part of an application for a resource consent.

It is only a few aspects of forestry that are adverse to the environment. Once these are suitably remedied, forestry can become an activity that fits the requirements of sustainable management and benefit future generations with a renewable resource.