Whose perspective counts? A critical look at definitions of terms used for natural and near-natural forests

authored by

Sini Savilaakso, Nik Lausberg, Patrick O. Waeber, Oona Hillgén, Anna Isotalo, Fritz Kleinschroth, Ida N.S. Djenontin, Nastasia Boul Lefeuvre, Claude A. Garcia

Abstract

The way forests are defined, using terms such as ancient, old-growth, primary, sacred, or intact forest landscapes, has far-reaching impacts on how, why, and where forests are conserved and managed. Definitions of terms such as “old-growth forests” have been discussed individually but not collectively assessed. Here, we review the definitions and uses of terms associated with natural and near-natural forests using systematic mapping methods and critical analysis. Our findings reveal a variety of definitions for different terms, although a few frequently cited ones prevail. Our results also highlight the dominance of Western institutions and scientific knowledge in shaping global discourses on forest conservation, often at the expense of Indigenous and local perspectives. Despite the increasing recognition of the value-based benefits that forests provide, definitions that explicitly incorporate values are scarce. This omission of the voices of forest-proximate communities and a lack of consideration for their local values and needs result in recognition, contextual, and procedural inequities when employing mainstream terms to define natural and near-natural forests.

External Organisation(s)

ETH Zurich
Liljus Ltd.
Bern University of Applied Sciences (BUAS)
Pennsylvania State University
London School of Economics and Political Science
University of Helsinki

Type

Review article

Journal

One Earth

Volume

6

Pages

1477-1493

No. of pages

17

ISSN

2590-3330

Publication date

17.11.2023

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Environmental Science(all), Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oneear.2023.10.003 (Access: Open)