criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management in montenegro, sn…

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Montenegro

Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

Criteria and Indicators of

Sustainable Forest Management

in Montenegro

Podgorica, September 2011.

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Editor-in-chief: PhD. Milosav Andjelic Professional and technical editor: MSc. Franc Ferlin Pictures: MSc. Franc Ferlin (24), PhD. Milosav Andjelic (9), Internet sources (4) Translation: Samanta Toskovic, Dijana Premovic, Franc Ferlin Publisher: Ministry of agriculture and rural development, 50 copies

CIP – Cataloguing in publication Central national library of Montenegro, Cetinje

ISBN 978-86-85799-12-9 COBISS CG-ID-18774032

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. ABBREVIATIONS.......................................................................................... 4

2. PREFACE........................................................................................................... 5

3. LEGAL BASIS AND DEFINITIONS......................................................... 6

4. CONCEPT OF DRAFTING CRITERIA AND INDICATORS........... 7

5. CONTENTS OF CRITERIA AND INDICATORS................................. 9

5.1 GENERAL STANDARDS AND MEASURING TOOLS FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT........................................................... 9

5.2 GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT............................................................................................................ 56

6. IMPLEMENTATION OF CRITERIA AND INDICATORS............ 58

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1. ABBREVIATIONS

EPA – Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro CDM - Clean Development Mechanism within the Kyoto Climate Protocol EI – Environmental Inspection EU – European Union MU – Management unit ICP monitoring – International Cooperative Programme monitoring (health condition of forests) IUCN – International Union for Conservation of Nature MARD – Ministry of agriculture and rural development MCPFE – Ministerial Conference on the Protection of Forests in Europe MONSTAT – Statistical Office of Montenegro MTSD – Ministry of Tourism and Sustainable Development NATURA 2000 – European network of special nature protection and conservation areas NWPFS – non-wood, productional forest services NWFP – non-wood forest products NP – National parks FI – Forestry Inspection FR – Forest region FA – Forest Administration of Montenegro PFOA – Private Forest Owners’ Association

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2. PREFACE

Sustainable forest management is one of major contributions which forestry as a sector can give towards the accomplishment of the defined goals of sustainable development of any state. This publication is intended to inform the professionals and the general public of the way in which we will, by using joint efforts, be able to monitor the development of our forest ecosystems and share information, data, and experience in forest management in compliance with international guidelines for sustainable forest management developed by the United Nations Commission on Environment and Development (UNCED). The Conference of UNCED, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, set the basic principles for sustainable forest management in terms of contribution to sustainable development. “Forest Principles” and Chapter 11 of Agenda 21, adopted at the Conference, included the commitment to implement sustainable management and utilisation of forests in compliance with national development policies and priorities, as well as with environmentally defined national guidelines which take into consideration, as needed and if applicable, relevant internationally agreed methodologies and criteria (Principle 8 d). We can conclude that this Conference, i.e. the documents adopted at the Conference, vitally influenced the launch of numerous international and national initiatives for the development of criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management. International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO) was among the first to develop the criteria and indicators for sustainable management of natural tropical forests. Subsequently, the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and World Conservation Union (IUCN) were significantly involved in providing technical support to the development and implementation of criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management. We particularly emphasise the importance of Ministerial Conferences on the Protection of Forests in Europe (MCPFEs), i.e. the resolutions adopted at such Conferences, which commit Montenegro both morally and politically, for the development of criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management in Europe in compliance with the mentioned UNCED principles. In this context, the most important document is the Lisbon Resolution L2 (1998), entitled as “Pan-European Criteria, Indicators, and Operational Level Guidelines for Sustainable Forest Management”, which presents also commitments and frameworks for the development of national criteria and indicators. It was for the first time in our legislation, in compliance with the Pan-European guidelines, that the Law on Forests (Official Gazette of Montenegro 74/10) referred to the implementation of criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management. The Article 6 of the Law defines that “Forests and forest land, as ecosystem, shall be administered and managed in a sustainable and multi functional manner in accordance with the criteria and indicators defined by the Ministry”. This results in the commitment to develop and adopt the criteria and indicators as general standards of sustainable forest management in Montenegro.

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The process of drafting the document concerning the criteria and indicators started in December 2010 with the preparation of the Terms of Reference by the international consultant (Franc Ferlin). The ToR included the list of potential criteria and indicators for Montenegro. The Working Group was established for this purpose and comprised the local experts (Alija Bralic, Zehra Demic, Blazo Jokanovic, Dragan Markovic, Kenan Pepic, Dragan Terzic, Joveta Terzic, and Zarko Vucinic). After being informed about related international experiences and under the agreed methodology, and with the expert support of the international consultant, they developed the technical bases for specific aspects of criteria and indicators, with the expert support of the international consultant. After the development and harmonisation of the technical bases for specific aspects, the international consultant consolidated the content of the pre-draft of the document »Operational Criteria and Indicators of Sustainable Forest Management in Montenegro« in March 2011. Subsequently, the pre-draft was considered and harmonised within the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), which, based on that, prepared the draft document for the public hearing, announced it on the website of the National Forestry Programme of Montenegro (http://www.nsp-cg.com/?jezik=m&meniId=12&opsirN=106), and sent it for consideration to other institutions dealing with these issues. A one-day public hearing was held at the beginning of July in Zabljak to discuss the draft document. Based on the outcome of the public hearing and the opinion of the expert team, the final version of this document was developed within the MARD with the support of the international consultant, and the document was prepared for publication in this form. All activities aimed at development and publication of this document were technically and financially supported and coordinated by the Netherlands Development Organisation SNV (via Mensura Nuhodzic). English translation has been assured by IPA project “Forestry capacity building in Montenegro” (Samanta Toskovic and Dijana Premovic). By publishing this document, MARD fulfils its international and national commitment.

3. LEGAL BASIS AND DEFINITIONS

Criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management in accordance with the Law on Forests (Article 6 paragraph 5) for the needs of management, monitoring and evaluation of sustainability are adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). These criteria and indicators determine, inter alia, also the extent of sylvicultural works (compared to the volume of cutting) which forest owners and users are obliged to perform (Article 50 paragraph 3). The Criteria in this document represent the general guidelines, norms and manners of action, work and conduct (in forestry profession, of forest owners and users and third persons as beneficiaries of forest functions) in the forest and toward the forest, and relate to all aspects of sustainability of forest administration and management. Therefore, these criteria represent general standards of sustainable forest administration and management and can be further linked to specific (more detailed) technical standards for specific fields.

http://www.nsp-cg.com/?jezik=m&meniId=12&opsirN=106

http://www.nsp-cg.com/?jezik=m&meniId=12&opsirN=106

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Indicators in this document represent quantitative and qualitative parameters which show the progress i.e. changes in accomplishment of specific criteria. Criteria, and especially indicators, serve also as overall measuring tools for monitoring and evaluation of forest condition as well as the quality and sustainability of forest management. Sources of verification are documents (analyses, insights, reports, minutes etc.) which contain evaluations of certain indicators in terms of related criteria. In addition to these documents, the main verification source will be the Report on Sustainability of Forest Administration and Management which will be developed in compliance with the related annual monitoring programme adopted by MARD (Article 47 paragraph 1 of the Law on Forests).

4. CONCEPT OF DRAFTING CRITERIA AND INDICATORS

The contents of criteria and indicators (Chapter 5 of hereof) have been prepared in tabular form and divided into two parts: (a) general standards and measuring tools and (b) general conditions for sustainable forest management. The criteria related to general standards and measuring tools for sustainable forest management (6 in total, based on the Pan-European criteria) are divided into sub-criteria (23 in total, in compliance with the adopted Pan-European criteria, operational guidelines and national standards) and sub-criteria (90 in totals, in compliance with national specialities). Indicators (255 in total) and sources of verification (over 90) have been drafted at the sub-sub-criteria level in that case. There is one criterion which relates to general (institutional and economic) conditions for sustainable forest management and contains sub-criteria (6 in total) only. Indicators (11 in total) and sources of verification (7 in total) have been drafted at the sub-criteria level in that case. Essentially, the criteria and indicators for sustainable forest management in Montenegro represent the framework for the future Forest and Forestry Development Strategy. This Strategy should actually be developed before them, so that these criteria and indicators could serve as measuring tools for monitoring and evaluation of implementation of this Strategy. However, since the case here is opposite, the development of this Strategy - based on the criteria and indicators which include all the necessary aspects of sustainability of forest administration and management - will be much facilitated.

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5. CONTENTS OF CRITERIA AND INDICATORS

5.1. GENERAL STANDARDS AND MEASURING TOOLS FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT

Criterion 1: Maintenance and appropriate enhancement of forest resources and their contribution to global carbon cycle

Sub-Criterion 1.1: Maintenance and appropriate improvement of areas under forests and forest land and strengthening their productional, environmental and social functions - taking into account the ownership, tree species, openness and purpose of forests and forest land - by applying close-to-nature method of forest management in accordance with the regulations, plans and programs and special technical standards.

Sub-Sub-Criterion Indicator Sources of verification

1.1.1. Maintaining and where possible, increasing the total area of forests and forest land on the account of barren land, especially by planned use and directing natural processes of forest expansion, and also by artificial establishment of new forests in a way adjusted to natural conditions and requirements of environmental, social and other forest functions.

1.1.1.1. Area of forest and forest land and their changes compared to the previous planning period, at the level of FR/MU, presented according to the:

a) Ownership; b) Forest cover types (forest, forest land, barren

land /trees out of the forest); c) Purpose; d) Forest origin; e) Openness.

1.1.1.2. Extent and changes of forest and forest land area (without barren land) compared to the (a) total terrestrial area and (b) previous planning period at the level of FR/MU (for state and private ownership)

1.1.1.3. Extent and changes of forest area compared to (a) total area of forests and forest land and (b)

Spatial plan of Montenegro

Regional plans

National Forest Inventory

Forest Development Plan and Forest Management Programs

Aforestation Plan for not forested land in Montenegro for the period from 2005 – 2014

Aforestation Projects reports on Implementation of Planning Documents

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previous planning period, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

1.1.1.4. Area of new forests originating from natural successions, in the level of FR/MU

1.1.1.5. Number and area of new forest cultures compared to (a) all of the areas suitable for aforestation and (b) the previous planning period, at the level of FR/MU

1.1.2. Increasing the area of high forests by conversion of low, coppice forests and brushwood into the higher sylvicultural form in the way adjusted to natural conditions, in areas where it would be possible, in order to increase their commercial, environmental or social value.

1.1.2.1. Changes of area under high forests with respect to (a) the total area of forests, (b) total area of forests and forest land (without barren land) and (c) previous planning period, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

1.1.2.2. Number and area of new forest cultures and new stands of seed origin, established in coppice / low forests and (other) forest land, with respect to (a) entire area of those forests / land and (b) previous planning period, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)



Aforestation Projects

Reports on Implementation of Planning Documents

1.1.3. Increasing the openness of forests and forest land for sustainable utilization, wherever possible, by building forest roads and skidding trails in environmentally acceptable manner, aiming at increasing commercial and social value of those areas

1.1.3.1. Extent and changes of area under forests and forest land with respect to the previous planning period, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests), presented according to the following openness categories: (a) not open (0 – 5 m/ha), (b) poorly open (5.1 - 10.0 m/ha), (c) moderately open (10.1- 15.0 m/ha), (d) well open (15.1 – 20.0 m/ha) and (e) very well open (above 20.0 m/ha)



Projects of Building Forest Roads

Reviews of Implementation of Planning Documents and Projects

1.1.4. Advancing the multi-functional approach in forestry by implementing integral planning of forest development and management, including all of the

1.1.4.1. Extent of the maps prepared at the level of FR/MU with respect to the functions and forest purpose, presented per years

Methodologies of Planning in Forestry, including the methodology of forest-

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forests, forest land and barren land, regardless to their ownership, based on contemporary content and information grounds and forests types harmonized with European guidelines, by introducing monitoring and by intensive implementation of mapping and rational valuation of functions, as well as proclamation of forests according to their purpose

1.1.4.2. Area of forests according to the functions, presented for prominent functions, at the level of FR/MU

1.1.4.3. Area of forests according to the purpose and their changes with respect to previous planning period, (for state and private forests), at the level of FR/MU

1.1.4.4. Coverage of forests and forest land by planning documentation:

a) forest development plan; b) forest management programs; c) electronic data bases; d) digital maps (according to the topics) and

changes in that coverage with respect to the previous planning period, at the level of FR/MU

1.1.4.5. Area of forests presented according to the forest development types, at the level of FR/MU

development types

Maps of forest functions

Maps of forest purposes

Program of Elaboration of Planning Documents

Program of setting up and upgrading electronic data bases (forest information system)

Programs of work of FA and NP

Reports on Implementation of Programs

1.1.5. Restricting the changes of purpose of forests and forest land into the other uses (under the conditions where environmental, production or social functions of forests are especially prominent), delineating of forest parcels with respect to ownership and implementing or restricting any other activities related to forest land utilization.

1.1.5.1. Extent of forest purpose change, presented per years, at the level of MU

1.1.5.2. Extent of completed parcel delineation, presented per years, at the level of MU

1.1.5.3. Extent of alienation / replacement of state forests, presented per years, at the level of MU

1.1.5.4. Extent of other stated activities, presented per years, at the level of MU

Reports of FA and FI

1.1.6. Increasing the quantity and quality of implementation of planned activities, measures and works in enhancement of spatial aspects of forests and forest land and their functions

1.1.6.1. Degree of implementation of planned activities/measures (in physical and financial sense), with respect to planned extent, presented per years, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

Reports on implementation of ten years and annual forest management plans

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Sub-Criterion 1.2: Maintenance and enhancement of multi-purpose production potential of forests as per their timber volume, structure and value - taking into account their ownership, functions, purpose, openness, type and sylvicultural form - by applying the close-to-nature method of forest management in accordance with the regulations, plans, programs and special technical standards

Sub-Sub-Criterion Indicator Source of verification

1.2.1. Increasing the standing timber volume and volume increment up to the optimal status, especially in open (commercial) forests

1.2.1.1. Timber volume and volume increment with respect to (a) optimal status and (b) previous planning period, at the level of MU, presented according to the:

a) Vegetation cover types (forest, forest land, barren land / trees outside forests);

b) Openness of forest area; c) Purpose of forest and forest land; d) Forest origin; e) Main forest development types and

sylvicultural stand forms; f) Main tree species.


Forest Stand Inventories

Forest Management Programs

1.2.2. Improving the structure of all the forests, especially in uneven-aged and single tree and group selection stands, aiming at creating optimal diameter and volume structure on small areas

1.2.2.1 Structure of timber volume according to diameter classes with respect to the previous planning period, at the level of MU (for state and private forests), presented according to:

a) Openness of forest area; b) Purpose of forest and forest land; c) Origin of forests; d) Main forest development types; e) Groups of tree species.

1.2.2.2. Structure of number of trees according to diameter classes in uneven-aged and selection stands with respect to (a) normal condition and (b) previous planning period, at the level of MU (for state and private forests), presented according to :

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a) Openness of forest area; b) Purpose of forests; c) Main forest development types; d) Groups of tree species.

1.2.3. Increasing the extent and quality of high uneven-aged (on the account of even-aged), single (on the account of uneven-aged) and group- selection stands (on the account of uneven-aged and tree selection), by applying advanced management methods, such as step-wise regeneration under shelter, single tree and group selection, and/or their combinations

1.2.3.1. Extent of the respective sylvicultural forms of stands in accessible commercial forests with respect to (a) all of the high commercial forests and (b) previous planning period, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

1.2.3.2. Extent of application of advanced forest management methods in practice (within marking of trees for felling), with respect to previous planning period, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)




Book of marking of trees for felling

Minutes of the Commission about reviewing the marking of trees

Minutes on technical acceptance of harvesting sites

1.2.4. Increasing the extent and quality of transitional sylvicultural forms of stands that are converted from lower into the higher sylvicultural form by indirect conversion of coppice forests, especially in smaller areas

1.2.4.1. Percentage of transitional sylvicultural forms of stands (per area) from low into a higher form, of those on smaller areas, with respect to (a) all of the coppice commercial forests and (b) previous planning period, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

1.2.4.2. Extent and percentage of executed indirect conversion of forests with respect to total extent of conversion, presented as per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)




Operational Projects

Forest Conversion Projects


Minutes of Commissions about reviewing the marking

Minutes of accepting the harvesting sites

1.2.5. Increasing the extent and quality of transitional sylvicultural forms of high forests, that are converted from even-aged into the uneven-aged ones by applying structural thinnings of low intensity, aiming at accumulation of increment and encouragement of structuring of stands (vertical and horizontal)

1.2.5.1. Percentage of transitional sylvicultural forms of stands (per area) from even-aged into the uneven-aged form with respect to (a) high commercial forests and (b) previous planning period, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

1.2.5.2. Extent of executed structural thinning in even-aged stands, presented per years, at the level of MU

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(for state and private forests)

1.2.6. Providing appropriate extent and quality of aforestation and complementing of forest cultures on barren land by selecting tree species adjusted to site conditions, qualitative reproductive material and carrying out qualitative planting, and by providing appropriate extent of tending and protection of young cultures, for purposes of establishing qualitative, mixed and stable adult stands

1.2.6.1. Extent of works executed on aforestation, complementing and tending of the young cultures, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

1.2.6.2. Extent of new cultures at the level of MU (for state and private forests), with respect to previous planning period, presented per:

a) Tree species used for aforestation; b) Mixture of cultures (pure, with 2 -3, with 4 -5

species ...) and method of mixing (individually, in groups);

c) Method (planting, sowing) and aforestation technique;

d) Quality or success of aforestation.

Forest Development Programs

Aforestation Projects

Aforestation Plan for not forested land in Montenegro for the period of 2005 - 2014

Reviews of implementation of planning documents and projects

1.2.7. Providing appropriate extent and quality of natural regeneration and its complementing in mature stands of high and coppice origin, already defined for regeneration, by applying adjusted methods and techniques of regeneration, especially in smaller areas, aiming at establishing as qualitative and stable as they can be, the new, uneven-aged stands

1.2.7.1. Extent of executed works on preparation of mature stands for natural regeneration and its complementing, especially for high and coppice forests, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

1.2.7.2. Extent of regeneration nucleus in stands, especially for high and coppice forests, with respect to the entire area planned for regeneration, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

1.2.7.3. Extent of mature stands defined for regeneration (high and coppice forests), with respect to previous planning period, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

1.2.7.4. Extent of application of individual methods of natural regeneration (clear felling, large and small-scale regeneration felling with shorter regeneration



Operational projects

Minutes on technical acceptance of works

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period, cluster and group-wise gradual felling with longer regeneration period), especially for high and coppice forests, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

1.2.8. Improving quality and stability of younger development stages of stands (sapling, thicket and young pole stage) of high and coppice origin, by applying appropriate measures and techniques of forest tending (negative and positive selection)

1.2.8.1. Percentage of qualitatively established young development stages of stands, with respect to their entire area, especially for high and coppice forests, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

1.2.8.2. Extent of executed individual tending measures, especially for high and coppice forests, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)




Minutes on Technical Acceptance of Works

1.2.9. Improving quality and stability of middle- aged stands of high origin having appropriate sylvicultural potential, by applying measures of high selective thinning, that is, the principle of positive selection, in order to achieve more optimal commercial and environmental effect

1.2.9.1. Share of quality and stable middle-aged high stands in open commercial forests, with respect to the entire area of that development stage, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

1.2.9.2. Extent of executed thinnings in those stands, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)






Minutes of Commissions about reviewing the marking

Minutes on technical acceptance the harvesting sites

1.2.10. Improving quality of middle-aged stands of coppice origin by converting those forests into high ones through application of selective thinning measures, combining principles of positive and negative selection

1.2.10.1. Share of quality middle-aged coppice stands in open commercial forests with respect to the entire area of these stands, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

1.2.10.2. Extent of executed thinning in those stands, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

1.2.11. Improving mixture of uniform forests of all ages, sylvicultural forms and development stages, through sylvicultural measures and techniques

1.2.11.1. Areal share of individual types of stands mixture (pure, with 2 - 3, with 4 - 5, with 6 -10 species), with respect to previous planning period,



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particularly encouraging development of noble and other rare tree species, aiming at obtaining optimal, site adjusted mixture

presented for categories of forests, according to: a) Purpose; b) Origin; c) Main forest development types; d) Development stages of stands.

1.2.11.2. Volume share of individual tree species (all possible ones that we have the inventory for), with respect to previous planning period, presented for categories of forests, according to:

a) Purpose; b) Origin; c) Main forest development types; d) Development stages of stands.

Analysis of implementation of planning documents

1.2.12. Decreasing the extent of devastated / degraded forests of high and coppice origin due to their not planned utilization, especially by applying natural way of forest reconstruction

1.2.12.1. Extent and changes of total area of devastated / degraded forests according to (a) origin of forests and (b) type of degradation, with respect to previous planning period, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

1.2.12.2. Number and extent of implemented reconstruction projects for these forests with respect to all the devastated / degraded areas, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

1.2.12.3. Extent of forest reconstruction measures implemented, presented per (a) origin of forests and (b) reconstruction types (natural, artificial) and (c) per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)




Reconstruction projects of devastated / degraded forests

Minutes on technical acceptance of works

Analysis of implementation of planning documents

1.2.13. Conserving and enhancing the potential of individual trees and groups of trees outside of the forest for purposes of meeting their environmental and social functions, especially by directing natural processes and, if needed, additional sylvicultural

1.2.13.1. Extent and changes (per area and/ or volume) in conditions of trees outside of the forest, with respect to previous planning period, at the level of MU (for state and private land)

1.2.13.2. Extent of those sylvicultural measures per

Inventories of trees outside of the forest

Annual reports of FA on harvesting (for MONSTAT needs)

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measures years, at the level of MU (for state and private land)

1.2.14. Increasing the level of realisation of planned activities, measures and works on enhancing the production potential of forests, including obligations of forest owners and users for execution of sylvicultural works (reference to 1.1.2., 1.2.4., 1.2.6., 1.2.7., 1.2.8., 1.2.9. and 1.2.10.) to the extent which is proportionate to the extent of harvesting, depending on forest types, species and development stages of stands, in accordance with special criteria*

1.2.14.1. Percentage of implementation of planned works on improving the production potential of forests (in physical and financial sense), presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

1.2.14.2. Percentage of implementation of sylvicultural works (in physical sense) which is defined in accordance with the extent of harvesting, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

Reports on implementation of 10-years plans and annual forest management programs, operational projects and administrative decisions on harvesting

*Special Criteria for Proportionality of sylvicultural works with respect to extent of harvesting, depending on forest types, species and development stages of stands, in accordance with the Forest law, are as follows:

a) Executing planting and, if needed, complementing of plantations and their tending, within the extent of minimum 75% (not regenerated) area, incurred after planned clear forest felling (due to regeneration, reconstruction or conversion);

b) Executing tending of natural sapling or thicket stage, „released“ after the final forest felling (because of regeneration, reconstruction or conversion), within the extent of minimum 75% of that (regenerated) area;

c) Executing tending of natural sapling and thicket stage, including forest culture of that age, within the framework of even-aged and large-scale uneven-aged stands, separated from mature stands where regeneration felling is done, within the extent of minimum 75% of area of these felling;

d) Executing tending of natural sapling and thicket stages, including forest culture of that age, that are mixed with grown up and mature stages within the group uneven-aged and group selection stands where felling is done, within the extent of minimum 75% of area of these young development stages, that is, regeneration nucleuses;

e) Executing non-commercial sylvicultural felling in high forests, within the extent of minimum 25% of area of commercial felling in those forests; if there are no areas of stands for implementing non commercial sylvicultural felling in high forests, or not enough of them, executing of the sylvicultural felling and/or their remaining extent (up to those 25%) in coppice forests;

f) Executing non-commercial sylvicultural felling in coppice forests, if only those forests are subject of management, within the extent of minimum 25% of wood volume of commercial felling of coppice forests, as well as

g) Executing aforestation of barren land suitable for that purpose, if subject of management is that land, in the extent of minimum 3% of commercial felling area.

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Sub-Criterion 1.3: Strengthening contribution of forest resources to global carbon balance and mitigation of climate changes by enhancing the production potential of forests and production of woody mass / biomass for energy purposes


1.3.1. Increasing the quantity of stored forest carbon and absorption capacity of forests in forest regions and stands, through increasing the areal extent and improving quality of forest cover (reference to 1.1.1. – 1.1.2.), and especially through increase of standing timber volume and improving horizontal and vertical forest structure (reference to 1.2.1. – 1.2.5.)

1.3.1.1. Total quantity of stored carbon and changes with respect to previous planning period, at the level of FR/MU, presented per:

a) Forest cover types (forests, forest land, barren land / trees outside forests);

b) Origin of forests, c) Main forest development types; d) Groups of tree species.




Estimates of forest carbon quantities based on CDM methodology

Reports on meeting the commitments according to Kyoto protocol

1.3.2. Establishing the planning and information conditions for intensifying production of wood of poorer quality and woody biomass in forests (reference to 3.3.2. and 3.3.3.), on the account of increased extent of sylvicultural felling in high and coppice forests, reconstruction of degraded forests and sanitary felling (reference to 1.1.2., 1.2.9., 1.2.10. and 1.2.12.), and reduction of wood residues in forests (reference to 3.3.2.), with intensification of appurtenant extension activities for forest owners and contractors and priority allocation of budgetary funds / incentives for these measures

1.3.2.1. Estimation of availability of potential and offer of forest biomass products, at local level

1.3.2.2. Set up database for forest biomass, at local level of FA

1.3.2.3. Extent of production and marketing of pulp and fuel wood and woody biomass in forests, presented per years, at the level of FR/MU (state and private forests)

1.3.2.4. Quantity of wood residue in forests after felling, for conifers and broadleaves, per years, at the level of MU (state and private forests)

1.3.2.5. Sorts and extent of implemented extension

Special Studies


Commission reports on technical acceptance of felling sites

Annual reports of FA and NP

Annual Statistical Reports (MONSTAT)

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activities, connected to the above-stated purposes, per years, at local level of FA

1.3.2.6. Number of forest owners and contractors who are educated in sustainable utilization of biomass, per years, at local level of FA

1.3.2.7. Extent and share of budgetary, that is, incentive funds with respect to all of the incentive funds intended for forests, allocated for given purposes, per years, at local level of FA

1.3.3. Promoting the development of processing of pulp and other (poorer, smaller) wood and woody biomass from forests, and from the wood residues from roundwood processing, into new biomass products with added value (charcoal, chips, briquettes and pellets), at local level

1.3.3.1. Extent of production of pulpwood and other poorer wood and woody biomass, charcoal, chips, briquettes and pellets, per years, at local level

Annual Statistical Reports (MONSTAT)

1.3.4. Intensifying the cooperation with all the stakeholders within the chain of production and use of woody mass / biomass, aiming at promoting usage of all the forms of woody mass / biomass for energy purposes, striving for establishing market of products made of biomass, and actual increase in extent of woody mass / biomass use for those purposes

1.3.4.1. Extent of activities (of FA local units) with interested buyers of pulpwood and woody biomass and (potential) users of products obtained from woody biomass in the country and abroad

1.3.4.2. Number of interested entrepreneurs for building of capacities for processing of pulpwood and woody biomass, as well as number of interested biomass products users, presented according to a potential extent of biomass, at local level of FA

1.3.4.3. Number of institutions, programs and projects within the chain of processing, marketing and using of woody mass / biomass for energy purposes, at local level

1.3.4.4. Extent of trade in woody biomass products at local level

Annual reports of FA and other institutions that are related to use of biomass

Programs and projects of use of biomass for energy purposes

Programs of energy efficiency

Surveys of processors and users (of products from) biomass

Register of activities of institutions and enterprises

Annual statistical reports (MONSTAT)

20

1.3.4.5. Extent of woody mass usage for energy purposes as per the product sorts (pulpwood and other non-quality wood, fuel wood, wood residues from forest, wood residues from processing, charcoal, chips, briquettes, pellets), as per the years, at local level

1.3.4.6. Share of energy generated from wood in total energy consumption, as per years, at local level

21

Criterion 2: Maintenance of health and vitality of forest ecosystem

Sub-Criterion 2.1: Maintenance of health, biological stability, vitality and resistance of forests by application of close-to-nature method of forest management, which integrates both sylvicultural measures and measures of preventive forest protection


2.1.1. Appreciating the principle of close-to-nature forest management (such as maintenance of natural structure; use of natural regeneration and successions, selection of tree species adjusted to forest site; encouraging natural mixture of stands and forest cultures; using mechanisms of natural selection and sylvicultural - protection role of old trees’ shelter; appreciation of tree vitality, especially in the context of climate changes and air pollution) in planning and forest management practice, including implementation of certain preventive protection measures, integrated into the system of regular forest management

2.1.1.1. Share of forests in which, within the forest management practice, natural mechanisms and processes are respected, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

2.1.1.2. Extent of sanitary felling within the regularly planned felling, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

Stand inventories

Tree marking books, including sanitary felling

Commissions’ minutes about reviewing the marking of trees

Commissions‘ minutes about technical acceptance of works / felling sites

Annual programs and reports of FA, NP and FI

Expert evaluation of respecting the principles of close-to-nature management

2.1.2. Monitoring the health condition and damage of forests, especially due to the impact of plant diseases and pests, climate changes, air pollution, forestry activities and pastures, including setting up of decentralized databases, at local level, in accordance with regulations.

2.1.2.1. Implementation status of monitoring program at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

2.1.2.2. Status and changes of forests, with respect to the previous planning period, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests) from aspect of:

a) Defoliation of crowns (due to climate changes

Annual monitoring program and its implementation

Annual reports of FA, FI and NP

Special inventories and reports on forest status (ICP etc.)

22

and air pollution); b) Mechanical damages of trees (due to the

impact of forestry activities); c) Damages of natural regeneration and trees

(due to the impact of cattle and wildlife).

Current reports on appearance of harmful effects

2.1.3. Establishing the proper forest order and control of felling sites and forests, in accordance with the contemporary understanding of forest order and environmental role of wood residues, that is, dead dendro-mass in the forest (reference to 4.1.4.)

2.1.3.1. Number and area of felling sites (sub-compartments/parcels) where forest order has been properly introduced, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

2.1.3.2. Number and area of felling sites (sub-compartments/parcels) with wood assortments with bark after the completed felling, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

2.1.3.3. Number and area of felling site (sub-compartment/parcels) with planned wood residue left behind (knotty or decayed trees), presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

Annual programs and reports of FA, FI and NP

Minutes on technical acceptance of executed works after felling

2.1.4. Increasing the extent and quality of implementation of all the planned and necessary activities, measures and works in all aspects of protection, conservation and restoration of forest

2.1.4.1. Percentage of implementation of certain activities / measures and in total (presented in physical and financial indicators), with respect to the planned/ necessary extent, presented per years, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

Reports on implementation of 10-years and annual forest management programs (protection, conservation and restoration plans)

23

Sub-Criterion 2.2: Maintenance of health, biologic stability and resistance of forests by applying measures of preventive protection, suppression of diseases and pests and restoration of damaged forests in accordance with regulations, plans and special technical standards


2.2.1. Carrying out the preventive activities and measures of forest protection against diseases and pests, monitoring, as well as application of measures of immediate protection against appearance of diseases and pests, including their suppression

2.2.1.1. Extent of established potential focal points of appearance of diseases and forest pests as per individual species, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

2.2.1.2. Extent of executed preventive (e.g. positioning trap trees and/or pheromones for bark beetles) and direct measures on controlling diseases and pests (per sorts of measures), presented per years, at the level of MU

Annual reports of FA, FI and NP

Current reports on phenomena of harmful effects

Annual monitoring program and its implementation

2.2.2. Carrying out the preventive activities and measures of forest protection against fires (development of maps of level of fire threat per individual sites and enacting of fire protection plan for forests, development and maintenance of against-fire lines and strip cuts, organizing service of observation and notification during the fire season, education and improving cooperation with forest owners, local population and competent institutions, prohibition for starting an open fire etc..) and providing support in preventing spreading and suppression the fires that started

2.2.2.1. Number in early phase of discovered and controlled forest fires (by FA), presented per years, at the level of FR/MU

2.2.2.2. Number and extent of forest fires presented per years, at the level of FR/MU

2.2.2.3. Extent of executed preventive activities (by FA) and measures of fire protection (per sorts of measures), presented per years, at the level of FR/MU

2.2.2.4. Number of interested parties, media and persons who during the fire season have taken part in (a) fire protection campaigns and (b) preventing of fire spreading, presented per years, at local level

2.2.2.5. Sorts and extent of activities performed in educating forest owners and other population with

Map of forest fire threats

Plan of forest protection against fire

Annual Forest Management Programs

Program of work of the FA and NP

Annual monitoring program

Reports of FA, NP, FI and fire brigade units

24

regard to fire protection, presented per years, at local level

2.2.3. Carrying out the preventive activities on illegal logging and other illegal activities in forests (including establishment and maintenance of “green” phone and cooperation with competent institutions), executing continuous forest monitoring, preventing, tracking and valuation of illegal activities, in accordance with special action plan

2.2.3.1. Extent (per area and volume) of illegal logging in forests quoted per sorts of felling (clear felling, large-scale felling, other illegal felling) with respect to planned felling, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

2.2.3.2. Number and extent of usurpation of forests and forest land, presented per years, at the level of MU.

2.2.3.3. Number of interested parties and persons who took part in reporting of illegal logging, presented per years, at local level of FA


Inventories of illegal logging

National Plan of combating against illegal activities in forestry

Map of the forest threat from illegal logging

Program of work of FA, NP and FI

Reports of FA, NP and FI

2.2.4. Carrying out sanitary felling in damaged stands (due to unfavourable impact of climate changes, air pollution, diseases and pests, natural disasters etc.) in the intensity adjusted to negative level of impact and physiological resistance of trees; in case of damages on trees due to negative impact of climate changes and air pollution, as a rule only by removing trees with the most serious degree of damage.

2.2.4.1. Extent and intensity of sanitary felling (per causes) that are not integrated in regular felling, presented with respect to (a) stand timber volume and (b) extent of regular felling, per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

2.2.4.2. Share of trees marked for sanitary felling due to the impact of climate changes and air pollution, presented separately for (a) dead and (b) damaged trees, per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

Annual Forest Management Programs

Annual Reports of FA and NP

Annual reports on forest dieback

Book of marking of trees for sanitary felling

2.2.5. Implementation of restoration plan for damaged stands by removing damaged trees and preparing stand and soil, by selecting tree species that are adjusted to site conditions and by using adjusted restoration methods, respecting the remaining, undamaged parts of stands

2.2.5.1. Extent of plan and executed measures of forest restoration, presented per types of damages and types of measures, with respect to total extent of damaged forests, per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

Plan of forest restoration and its implementation

Program of work of FA and NP

FI report

25

Sub-Criterion 2.3: Preserving forest environment by minimizing negative forest impacts in accordance with regulations, plans and special technical standards


2.3.1. Minimizing negative impact of forest activities on forest ecosystem (regeneration, soil, stand, habitat, other plant and animal species) by using environmentally acceptable technologies, technical assets and adjusted method of executing works in forest utilization and building of forest infrastructure , in space and time, in order to respect the requirements and needs of other, especially endangered plant and animal species, by implementation of extension activities and monitoring, as well as by preventing those forest activities endangering forest ecosystem

2.1.3.1. Extent and share of stands (sub-compartment / parcels) with strong impact of forest activities, presented per sorts of activities and years at the level of MU (for state and private forests) 2.1.3.2. Extent of building of forest infrastructure facilities which had a strong impact on forest ecosystem, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)


Projects of forest infrastructure development

Minutes on technical acceptance of forest works and building of forest infrastructure

Reports of FA, FI and EI

2.3.2. Minimizing negative impact of pasturing and wildlife on forest ecosystem (progeny, stand and other plant species) (reference to 3.4.2.), by application of appropriate preventive protection measures (for progeny and trees), by monitoring degree of damage at progeny and trees by monitoring and preventing execution of pasture if threatening the forest ecosystem

2.3.2.1. Extent of executed preventive measures on protecting the forest regeneration and trees, presented per years, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

2.3.2.2. Extent and share of forest areas with strong impact of (a) pasturing and (b)wildlife, with respect to previous planning period, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

Forest Development Plan and forest management programs

Annual programs of forest management

Reports of FA, National parks, FI and EI

2.3.3. Ensuring the use of environmentally acceptable (permitted by international conventions) chemical agents in forests for suppression diseases and pests, protection of

2.3.3.1. Type, purpose and extent of chemical agents used in forests, presented per years, at the level of FR/MU


Plan of diseases and pests control

Reports of FA, FI and EI

26

sprouts against the cattle and wildlife and preventing fires, monitoring these activities and preventing usage of not allowed agents

2.3.4. Inventorying the illegal waste disposal’ sites in forests, monitoring and guiding removal of illegally disposed waste (as a commitment of forest owner and user), establishing a places for proper disposal of forest waste (for visitors' needs) and prevention of further illegal waste disposal in forests

2.3.4.1. Number and extent of illegal waste disposal sites in forests (distinguished in large and small waste), at the level of FR/MU

2.3.4.2. Extent of removed waste from the forests, presented per years, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

2.3.4.3. Number of ensured proper waste disposal sites in the forests intended for visitors’ needs, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

2.3.4.4. Number of identified attempts of illegal waste disposal in forests, presented per years, at the level of MU

Cartographic records of established waste disposal sites in the forest

Program of work of FA and NP

Reports of FA, NP, FI and EI

27

Criterion 3: Maintenance and enhancement of forest production functions (wood and non-wood)

Sub-Criterion 3.1: Enhancement of forest production functions by improving openness of forests in accordance with natural, technological and commercial possibilities, regulations, programs and special technical standards


3.1.1 Increasing openness of forests by building forest roads for the needs of forest management and specific public purposes, in as optimal extent and quality as possible (smaller inclinations, larger radiuses of curves, hardened foundation and proper construction of a road body, including drainage and stabilization of slopes), by application of technologies and technical means for building, minimizing impact on forest ecosystem in order to ensure as rational access and transport of forest products as possible

3.1.1.1. Openness of forests by forest roads (m/ha), with respect to previous planning period, at the level of MU (state and private forests)

3.1.1.2. Length and changes of average road transport distance and average costs of wood transport (per m3), with respect to previous planning period, at the level of MU (state and private forests)

3.1.1.3. Extent of newly built forest infrastructure, presented per origin of forests and years, at the level of MU (state and private forests)

Forest Development Plans and Forest Management Programs

Projects of Building forest roads and skidding trails


Commissions Reports on Supervision / acceptance of building and maintenance of roads and skidding trails




3.1.2. Increasing openness of forests by building forest skidding trails for forest management needs, in as optimal extent and quality as possible, by using technologies and technical means for building, minimizing impact on forest ecosystem, in order to ensure as rational transport of wood assortments to the forest road as possible

3.1.2.1. Openness of forests by existing skidding trails (m/ha), with respect to previous planning period, at the level of MU (state and private forests)

3.1.2.2. Length and changes of average distance for skidding wood assortments and average skidding costs (per m3), with respect to previous planning period, at the level of MU (state and private forests)

3.1.2.2. Extent of development of forest skidding trails presented per origin of forests and years, at the level of

28

MU (state and private forests)

3.1.3. Gradual introduction of new technical means for transporting wood assortments, in accordance with environmental requirements and advanced possibilities for contemporary built forest roads and skidding trails

3.1.3.1. Extent of skidding or carrying out wood assortments by (a) older and (b) newer technical equipment, at the level of MU (state and private forests)

3.1.3.2. Extent of transporting the wood assortments by (a) older and (b) newer technical equipment, at the level of MU

Special surveys / reviews

FA Annual Reports on forest management

3.1.4. Increasing the extent and quality of maintenance and reconstruction of forest infrastructure for the forest management needs and certain public purposes, especially of forest roads, in the manner that such roads are permanently operational

3.1.4.1. Extent of maintenance and reconstruction of (a) forest roads, within it the roads in public interest, and (b) skidding trails, presented per years, at the level of MU (state and private forests)

3.1.4.2. Length of forest roads that are permanently operational, at the level of MU (state and private)

Annual programs of maintenance of forest roads owned by state

FA Annual Reports on building of forest roads

3.1.5. Promoting establishing the joint Fund for building and maintenance of forest roads , by state forests users, private forest owners and local communities

3.1.5.1. Setting up the fund and extent of funds collected for that purpose at local level

Special Reports

29

Sub-Criterion 3.2: Enhancement of production functions of forests by increasing the possible extent of utilization of wood products, along with improvement of methodology of forest management planning and marking of trees for felling, in accordance with production potential and sylvicultural and market needs, regulations, programs and special technical standards


3.2.1 Increasing the allowable cut and diversifying of its structure on the account of forests that are anticipated to be opened as well as more intensive sylvicultural felling in middle-aged stands of high and coppice forests

3.2.1.1. Level of yield (allowable cut) with respect to production potential (site class) of forests and the previous planning period, at the level of MU (for state and private forests), presented per:

a) Forest cover types (forest, forest land, barren land / trees outside forests);

b) Openness of forest area; c) Purpose of forest and forest land; d) Forest origin; e) Main forest development types; f) Main tree species.

3.2.1.2. Structure of yield (allowable cut) per sorts of yield, with respect to previous planning period, at the level of MU (for state and private forests), presented per:

a) Openness of forest area; b) Purpose of forests and forest land; c) Origin of forests; d) Main forest development types; e) Main tree species.

Forest Management Programs (Annual and 10-years)

3.2.2. Introducing flexibility with regard to the possible extent of marking of trees for felling, and/or realisation of felling at the level of sub-compartment or parcel, in framework of the generally planned extent (by forest management program) aiming at adjusting the level of

3.2.2.1. Share of felling sites (per area and wood volume), where the permitted deviations regarding the extent of felling were used, as well as extent of those (±) deviations, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)



Commissions’ Reports on reviewing the marking of trees

30

harvesting to realistic needs and possibilities within the specific stands, within the permitted deviation of ± 20% from the planned extent

3.2.3. Application of improved forest management systems (reference to 1.2.3. – 1.2.10.) through marking the trees for felling on contemporary principles of forest tending, which is given a special emphasis through education of forestry staff and which – along with improving the quality of stands – enables production of more qualitative assortments

3.2.3.1. Quantity of (gross) marked standing volume per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests), presented according to:

a) Forest cover types (forest, forest land, barren land / trees outside forests);

b) Openness of forest area; c) Purpose of forest and forest land; d) Forest origin; e) Main forest development types; f) Main tree species. g) Sorts of felling (main, thinning, reconstructions

and conversions, sanitary and restoration felling, others).

3.2.3.2. Structure of (gross) marked standing volume per diameter classes and years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests), presented according to:

a) Openness of forest area; b) Purpose of forests and forest land; c) Origin of forests; d) Main forest development types and sylvicultural

forms of stands; e) Groups of tree species.

3.2.3.3. Share of the felling sites (per area and volume),where marking of trees was done on modern principles of sylviculture/tending, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

3.2.3.4. Share of the marked standing volume presented according to reasons for felling (sylvicultural, sanitary, other) on specified sample of harvesting sites, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)




Commissions’ Reports on reviewing the marking of trees


Analysis of implementation of planning documents and projects

31

Sub-Criterion 3.3: Enhancement production functions of forests by increasing the realised extent of utilization of wood products, along with improvement of technology, quality and efficiency of executing forest operations and by improving projecting, rationalising of administrative procedures and also by introducing automatic tracking of wood origin, in accordance with environmental requirements, commercial possibilities and market needs, regulations, programs and special technical standards


3.3.1. Increasing the realised extent of harvesting within the planned one, that is, within the allowable extent, especially on the account of sylvicultural felling in recently opened forests and more intense sylvicultural felling in middle-aged stands of high and coppice forests

3.3.1.1. Proportion of (gross) realisation of harvesting and yield (allowable cut), per years of felling and in total, at the level of MU (for state and private forests), presented according to:

a) Openness of forest area; b) Origin of forests; c) Groups of tree species; d) Sorts of felling.

Forest Management Programs (Annual and ten-year)

Reports on implementation of planning documents

3.3.2. Increasing the level of utilization of felled timber within the forest, especially on the account of working out tiny and poorer quality wood

3.3.2.1. Proportion of marked (gross) and harvested (net) standing volume per years of harvesting and in total, at the level of MU (for state and private forests) presented according to:

a) Openness of forest area; b) Origin of forests; c) Groups of tree species; d) Sorts of felling.

Reports on technical acceptance of felling sites



3.3.3. Improving the qualitative structure of wood assortments, especially by performing their more optimal tailoring, which is given a special emphasis through education of personnel

3.3.3.1. Structure of wood assortments including biomass, as per the years of harvesting and in total, at the level of MU (for state and private forests), presented according to:

a) Openness of forest area; b) Origin of forests; c) Main forest development types;

Reports on technical acceptance of felling sites


Annual statistical Reports (MONSTAT)

32

d) Groups of tree species.

3.3.3.2. Share of felling sites (per area and volume), in which optimal tailoring of wood assortments was executed, per years of harvesting, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

3.3.4. Step-wise introducing more up-to-date technologies of forest utilization, such as mechanized harvesting and carrying out of wood assortments, cable or cable-rope skidding of wood assortments under the conditions where it is technologically possible, economically feasible and environmentally acceptable, as well as advanced use of existing technologies, with preservation of animal technology under the conditions where it is still acceptable, especially in private forests

3.3.4.1. Number and areal share of felling sites, on which (a) the current and (b) the new forest utilization technologies are used, presented per sorts of technologies and years of harvesting, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)



Annual Reports of FA

3.3.5. Developing more quality and adjusted (to stand and technological requirements) operational projects, which are based on contemporary informational grounds, as well as norms for executing forestry operations, in order to ensure a rational and efficient forest utilization

3.3.5.1. Number and areal share of the contemporary projects from informational aspect, with respect to all operational projects, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

3.3.5.2. Number and areal share of felling sites where norms for production of wood assortments are applied, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

3.3.5.3. Number and share of felling sites where utilization phases are executed more efficiently than the standardized ones, with preserved composition of stand and land, presented per years, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

Reviews of operational projects

Annual Reports on work of FA and NP

3.3.6. Ensuring the performed marking of trees 3.3.6.1. Share of felling sites (per area and volume) on Decision for harvesting

33

for felling is respected by quantity, tree species and structure, as well as the quality realisation of felling and working out of timber assortments, with previous marking of felling and skidding directions, that is, quality implementation of operational projects

which the marking was properly respected, presented per years of felling, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

3.3.6.2. Number and areal share of felling sites where marking of felling / skidding directions was made, presented per years of harvesting, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

3.3.6.3. Share of felling sites (per area and volume) with quality/ proper execution of stated works, presented per years of harvesting, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)



Minutes on technical acceptance the harvesting sites

Special analysis (on a defined sample of felling sites)


3.3.7. Setting-up the electronic database and automatic registering (bar coding) and tracking the origin of wood assortments, starting from the trees marked for felling

3.3.7.1. Extent of marked standing volume and of worked out wood assortments (per sorts), for which the electronic databases were set-up, and the extent which is automatically registered and tracked, at local level of FA (for state and private forests)


3.3.8. Implementing the forestry administrative-technical procedures on marking of trees, technical acceptance of felling sites, labelling and tracking of wood assortments’ origin in more flexible and efficient way

3.3.8.1. Average time necessary for approving harvesting to private forest owners, after the harvesting request has been sent, and the time needed for technical acceptance of felling sites, per years, at local level of FA

3.3.8.2. Number and share of mentioned administrative-technical procedures that have been completed in one turn at forest owners and users, presented per years, at local level of FA (for state and private forests)

FA Annual Reports

Questionnaire for forest owners and users

34

Sub-Criterion 3.4: Enhancement of production forest functions by increasing the extent of utilization of non-wood forest products and productional forest services in accordance with regulations, programs, contractual mechanisms and special technical standards


3.4.1. Directing, encouraging, monitoring and promoting the collection and other sorts of utilisation of non-wood forest products (NWFP), in the way and within the extent that does not threat forest functions, as well as taking care about improving forest and forest land potential for stated purposes

3.4.1.1. Extent and share of forests and forest land which is intended for utilization of non wood forest products, presented per species that are used, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

3.4.1.2. Extent of executed special measures in forests for enhancing NWFP potential, presented per sorts and years, at the level of MU

3.4.1.3. Provision of contractual mechanisms for gaining income from using NWFP for private forests

3.4.1.4. Number and extent of contract with collectors of NWFP (for FA and PFOA), presented per years, at local level

3.4.1.5. Number of registered collectors of NWFP, presented per years, at local level

3.4.1.6. Extent of collecting NWFP per sorts, based on the buyers' files and other sources, presented per years, at local level

3.4.1.7. Number of institutions and programs that are dealing with promotion of utilization of NWFP and cooperation within this chain, at local level


FA Annual Reports

Files of collectors of non wood forest products


3.4.2. Directing the use of non-wood productional forest services (NWPFS), such as pasturing, game breeding, pruning and utilization of fallen leaves, in

3.4.2.1. Extent and share of forest land where possibilities for utilizing NWPFS appear, presented per its sorts, as well as the share of areas that are intended


FA Annual Reports

35

the manner and within the extent that does not endanger forest functions, as well as taking care on securing and improving potential of forest land for mentioned purposes

for the same purpose, with respect to all categories of forests and forest land within the MU (state and private forests)

3.4.2.2. Extent of executed special measures for encouraging NWPFS of forest land potential, per sorts of measures at the level of MU

3.4.3. Directing the use of forest land and forest roads (by third parties) for other purposes, in the manner and within the extent that does not endanger forest functions.

3.4.3.1. Extent of use of forest land and roads by third parties, presented per years, at the level of MU (state and private forests)

FA Annual Reports

¸

36

Criterion 4: Conservation and appropriate enhancement of biological diversity in forest ecosystems

Sub-Criterion 4.1: Conservation and appropriate enhancement of structural and functional diversity of commercial forests by application of close-to-nature method of forest management


4.1.1. Conserving and encouraging the structural diversity and mixture of forests (reference to 1.2.2. – 1.2.5. and 1.2.11.), by application of small-scale forest management systems and tending of forests that integrate measures for conserving biodiversity, in accordance with the objectives for improving production potential of forests, increasing the capacity of carbon absorption and preserving health and vitality of forests

4.1.1.1. Areal share of individual types of stands mixture and volume share of individual tree species in commercial stands with respect to natural forests and their changes with respect to previous planning period, at the level of MU

4.1.1.2. Differences in structural diversity of commercial forests with respect to natural forests, as well as changes with respect to previous planning period, at the level of MU, presented by comparing:

a) Areal share of individual forms of stands (even-aged, large-scale unevenaged, small-scale uneven-aged, tree selection, group selection stands);

b) Areal share of forest development stages; c) Numerical share of trees per diameter classes

(for small-scale uneven-aged and selection stands).

4.1.1.3. Indicators of management system and sylvicultural measures in commercial forests given at stated basic sub-sub-criterion

Sources at stated basic sub-sub-criterion

Forest Management Programs 4.1.2. Using and encouraging the natural forest 4.1.2.1. Indicators of the forest regeneration system in

37

regeneration (reference to 1.2.7.), by especially applying the method of small-scale natural regeneration, in accordance with objectives of enhancing production potential of forests and preserving health and vitality of forests.

commercial forests given at stated basic sub-sub-criterion

4.1.2.2. Similarity / difference of areal aspect of regeneration of commercial forests (large-scale, group-wise, cluster-wise, single-wise regeneration) with respect to natural forests within the comparable types, at the level of MU

4.1.2.3. Share of the regeneration stage and share of young stages of commercial forests (to pole stage) with respect to natural forests within the comparable forest types, at the level of MU

Special analysis

4.1.3. Conserving the naturalness of forests by using close-to-nature method of forest management, by planned leaving of certain areas of natural forests that are not managed in this status (whereat taking care about representation of individual forest types), by restricting introduction of other (site unadjusted) tree species and preventing forest degradation (reference to 1.2.12.)

4.1.3.1. Areal share of forests and their changes with respect to previous planning period, at the level of MU (for state and private forests), presented per following categories of naturalness:

a) Virgin forests, b) Preserved natural forests that are not

managed; c) Commercial forests with conserved natural

composition of tree species; d) Commercial forests with modified natural

composition of tree species (semi-natural forests);

e) Forest cultures (species with long rotation) and

f) Forest plantations (fast growing species).

4.1.3.2. Share of commercial forests with the dominance of introduced species and its changes with respect to previous planning period at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

4.1.3.3. Presence of degraded commercial forests due to unplanned utilization and changes with respect to


Forest Development Plan



Aforestation Programs


Special Analysis

38

previous planning period, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

4.1.4. Planned leaving the standing and fallen (hollow, rotten), especially large („H“) trees, and very old parts of stands („eco-cells“), in the quantity and distribution needed for conservation of biodiversity of a certain forest type, previously taking care about the potential impact of left trees to the health and stability of forest ecosystem

4.1.4.1. Areal share of the felling sites, in stands having the participation of large diameter trees (above 50 cm), where it is planned to leave large living and dead H-trees, presented by amounts of up to 2%, 3.1 – 4.0% and above 4% of growing stock of the stand, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

4.1.4.2. Areal share of the felling sites, in stands having participation of large diameter trees (above 50 cm), where it is planned to leave large wood residues, , presented by the amounts of up to 1%, 1.1 – 2.0% and above 3% of harvested volume, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

4.1.4.3. Areal share of stands (sub-compartment / parcels), except for young and middle- aged development stages, with participation of dead trees in the amount of above 2% of wood volume, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

4.1.4.4. Areal share of commercial forests in/with mature development stages in which the share of dead trees does not substantially differ from natural (conserved) forests within the comparable types, at the level of MU


Forest Stand Inventory



Commissions Reports on the marking of trees’ review

Reports of birds and fungi specialists

Annual Reports of FA, NP and FI

39

Sub-criterion 4.2: Conservation of protected, rare, vulnerable, special and representative forest ecosystems or forest types in compliance with Pan-European Assessment Guidelines for Protected and Protective Forests, EU Habitats Directive and national regulations, strategies and programmes

Sub-sub-criterion Indicator Source of verification

4.2.1. Inventorying and mapping the protected, rare, vulnerable, special and representative forest ecosystems or forest types and integrating guidelines for protection thereof into forest development plan / management programmes

4.2.1.1. Extent of inventory and mapping of these forest ecosystems / types by species at the level of FR/MU

4.2.1.2. Integration of the guidelines for protection of ecosystems / types into forestry planning documents Maps of forest functions

Maps of forest purposes (for special purpose forests)

Programme NATURA 2000

Forest Development Plan and Forest Management Programmes

Administration Programmes for National Parks

Analysis of the implementation of planning documents

FA, NP and EPA Annual Reports

4.2.2. Ensuring the favourable conservation status of protected, rare, vulnerable, special and representative forest sites or types (link with 4.2.1.) by:

– close-to-nature forest management in the way which is adjusted / subordinated to this objective in such forests and, if necessary:

– restricting or excluding forest utilisation on such sites;

– declaring the forest areas (with significant share of these sites / types) for this purpose, and

– preventing forest operations which endanger the objective.

4.2.2.1. Extent of adjusted forest management method used or measures taken on these sites, by forest types, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

4.2.2.2. Number and size of protected forests or special protection sites (NATURA) where these sites are located, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

4.2.2.3. Share of declared protected forests for these purposes as compared to (a) all protected forests and (b) all forests, at the level of FR/MU

4.2.2.4. Changes of the protection status of these forest types in relation to comparable forest types, which are left to natural development, and to the previous planning period, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

40

Sub-criterion 4.3: Conservation of diversity of important forest landscapes in compliance with Pan-European Assessment Guidelines for Protected and Protective Forests, EU Habitats Directive and national regulations, strategies and programmes


4.3.1. Identifying important natural forest landscapes and mapping of forests which are important for diversity of those landscapes, and integration of guidelines for the protection of the diversity into forest development plan / management programmes

4.3.1.1. Number and extent of identified natural landscapes, at the level of FR/MU

4.3.1.2. Integration of the individual landscape conservation guidelines into plans Map of types of (exploitation) of

land

Map of forest cover


Maps of forest purposes (special purpose forests)

Satellite and air images


Administration Programmes for National Parks



4.3.2. Conserving the diversity of natural forest landscapes (link with 4.3.1.) by:

– close-to-nature forest management in the way which is adjusted / subordinated to this objective in such forests and, if necessary:

– declaring forests (within these landscapes) for this purpose), and


4.3.3.1. Extent of adjusted forest management method used or measures taken on these sites, by forest types, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

4.3.3.2. Extent of protected forests for this purpose, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

4.3.3.3. Share of forests declared for these purposes compared to (a) all protected forests and (b) all forests, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

4.3.3.4. Changes to structural form of forest cover within these areas, compared to comparative natural landscapes, taking into account large-scale changes in forests (for example, burnt areas, degradation of forests, clear cutting, aforestation, regeneration, conversion and restoration of forests), as well as changes compared to the previous planning period, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

41

Sub-criterion 4.4: Conservation of specific natural elements in forests, and cultural, aesthetic, spiritual, historical and recreational values of forests, in compliance with Pan-European Assessment Guidelines for Protected and Protective Forests, EU Habitats Directive and national regulations, strategies and programmes

www.aktuelno.me


4.4.1. Inventorying and mapping the specific natural elements, such as key biotopes of water, swamps, rocky areas and ravines, and cultural, aesthetic, spiritual, historical and recreational values in forests, and integrating of guidelines for conservation thereof into forest development / management plan / programmes

4.4.1.1. Extent of inventory and mapping of biotopes and mentioned natural values, by sorts, at the level of MU

4.4.1.2. Integration of individual guidelines for conservation / protection of such biotopes and values into plans





Management Programmes for National Parks

Registers and plans of local communities and organisations


FA and NP Annual Reports

4.4.2. Conserving the key biotopes in forests (link with 4.4.1) by:

– utilising forest in a way that is subordinated to this objective and, if necessary:

– restricting or excluding forest utilisation in such areas,

– declaring forests with significant share of the biotopes for this purpose,


4.4.2.1. Extent of subordinated / restricted utilisation of forests within respective areas, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

4.4.2.2. Extent of protected forests for this purpose, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

4.4.2.3. Extent of unacceptable operations in forests which are identified for this purpose, by sorts, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

4.4.3. Conserving the cultural, aesthetic, spiritual, historical and recreational values in forests (link with 4.4.1) by:

– utilising forests which offer these values in a

4.4.3.1. Extent of subordinated / restricted utilisation of forests with these values, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

4.4.3.2. Extent of protected forests for this purpose, at

42

way which is adjusted to this objective and, if necessary:


– declaring forests (with significant concentration of these values) for these purposes,

– preventing operations which endanger the objective.

the level of MU (for state and private forests)

4.4.3.3. Share of declared protected forests for these purposes as compared to (a) all protected forests and (b) all forests, at the level of FR/MU

4.4.3.4. Extent of unacceptable operations in forests which are identified for this purpose, by sorts, at the level of MU (for state and private forests)

Sub-criterion 4.5: Conservation of endemic and endangered forest species and their forest habitats in compliance with IUCN guidelines for endangered species, EU Habitats and Birds directives, national regulations, strategies and programmes

www.petelin.info

www.zdravgozd.si


4.5.1. Inventorying and mapping the habitats of endemic and endangered (as defined by the IUCN Red List for Montenegro), or European important forest species (as defined by EU Habitats and Birds directives), and integration of guidelines for protection thereof into Forest Development / Management Plan / Programmes

4.5.1.1. Extent of inventoried and mapped habitats of these species, by species, at the level of FR/MU

4.5.1.2. Integration of guidelines for conservation of individual endemic and endangered in plans



Red List of species for Montenegro and individual regions

List of European important species (with Annex for Montenegro)

Expertise of specialists-biologists for endangered species


4.5.2. Ensuring the favourable status of habitats of endemic and endangered or European important forest species (link with 4.5.1.), and thus the species themselves, by:

4.5.2.1. Number of endemic and endangered forest species (as classified by the IUCN categories for the Red List) compared to the total number of species in the forest and changes compared to previous planning

43

– forest management which is, in particular areas under such habitats, adjusted / subordinated to ecological requirements of such species, and if necessary:


– declaring forests (with significant concentration of these values) for these purposes, and

– preventing operations which endanger the conservation objectives of such species.

period, at the level of FR/MU

4.5.2.2. Differences in the status of populations of individual endangered species (for instance, birds) in commercial forests, with respect to comparable natural (conserved) forests, at the level of FR/MU

4.5.2.3. Changes of the conservation status of habitats of respective species in commercial forests with respect to comparable forests, which are left to natural development, as well as to the previous planning period, at the level of FR/MU

4.5.2.4. Number and size of protected forests or areas under special protection and conservation (NATURA) of habitats of endemic and endangered species, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

4.5.2.5. Share of protected forests declared for these purposes with respect to (a) all protected forests and (b) all forests, at the level of FR/MU

4.5.2.6. Extent of activities in forest management which were adjusted to ecological requirements of respective species, presented by species, at the level of FR/MU (for state and the species, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

4.5.2.7. Extent of operations in forests which were unacceptable for such species, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

Forest Development Plans and Forest Management Plans

Administration Plans for National Parks



44

Sub-criterion 4.6: Conservation of genetic resources of species of forest trees in situ and ensuring diverse autochthonous forest reproductive material, as per the MCPFE Resolution on Forest Genetic Resources, EU and national regulations on forest reproductive material, programmes and special technical standards


4.6.1. Inventorying and mapping the locations of rare, endangered and protected genetic resources of tree species, and integration of guidelines for conservation thereof into Forest Development / Management Plan / Programmes

4.6.1.1. Extent of inventoried and mapped locations of genetic resources, by tree species, at the level of FR/MU

4.6.1.2. Integration of guidelines for conservation of genetic resources into these plans

Maps of range of forest tree species and provenances

Maps of forest functions (biodiversity)




4.6.2. Conserving the forest locations with genetic resources of rare, endangered and protected tree species (link with 4.6.1) by:

– close-to-nature forest management which is on these locations adjusted / subordinated to this objective and, if necessary:

– restricting or excluding forest utilisation on such localities;

– protecting respective forest locations, and

– preventing all forest operations which endanger the objective.

4.6.2.1. Extent of conservation of genetic resources provided by adjusted / subordinated method of forest management, presented by tree species, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

4.6.2.2. Changes of the conservation status of respective locations in commercial forests with respect to forests which are left to natural development, as well as to the previous planning period, at the level of FR/MU

4.6.2.3. Extent of unacceptable activities on respective localities, by sorts of activities, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

4.6.2.4. Extent of forests protected for these purposes, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

4.6.2.5. Share of forests declared for these purposes in (a) all protected forests and (b) all forests, at the level of FR/MU

45

4.6.3. Conserving the genetic resources and ensuring the seed potential of autochthonous forest tree species by:

– establishing seed stands of frequent and rare tree species, distributed to ensure geographic representation and of the number which meet the needs of artificial forest regeneration;

– establishing database for such stands and seed material;

– regular monitoring of the condition of seed stands and seeding, and

– implementing special measures aimed at tending and maintenance of seed stands.

4.6.3.1. Number and total area under seed stands presented by tree species and provenances at the level of FR

4.6.3.2 Number of main certificates for seed stands, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

4.6.3.3. Establishment of database for seed stands and seed, at local FA level

4.6.3.4. Extent of measures taken to tend and maintain seed stands, by sorts, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

Database / register of seed stands

Maps of seed stands

Confirmation of the main certificate

Programme for maintenance and monitoring of seed stands

Assessment of long-term needs of reproduction material for aforestation

Report on inspection of seed and nursery

FA annual programmes and progress reports

4.6.4. Ensuring adequate forest reproductive material, by appropriate collection and storage of seed from seed stands, and production of the planting material of appropriate extent and quality for artificial forest reproduction

4.6.4.1. Quantity of collected and stored seed by tree species, quality and year of yield

4.6.4.2. Extent of production of planting material by tree species and production technology, by years of yield

46

Criterion 5: Maintenance and appropriate enhancement of forest protection functions

Sub-criterion 5.1: Maintenance and appropriate enhancement of the function of protection of soil from erosion and protection of waters as per Pan-European Assessment Guidelines for Protected and Protective Forests and national regulations, strategy and programmes


5.1.1. Inventorying and mapping the forest functions related to protection of soil and water and other ecosystem functions according to their prominence, and integration of guidelines for conservation thereof into Forest Development / Management Plan / Programmes

5.1.1.1. Extent of inventory and mapping of these functions, at the level of FR/MU

5.1.1.2. Integration of individual protection guidelines into plans


Maps of forest purposes (for protective forests)

Elaborate for declaring protective forests




MTSD Report

Reports of FI, EI and Water management inspection

Special analysis

Assessments by experts (for erosion and waters)

5.1.2. Maintaining and appropriate improving the protection of forest land from erosion and leaching as well as protection of waters or water regime in forests, particularly in areas with strong needs in those terms (link with 5.1.1) by:

– close-to- nature forest management which is subordinated to these objectives, which inter alia includes the establishment of new forests with autochthonous tree species only; only low-intensity single-tree cutting or avoiding final large-scale cutting or of higher intensity; using only technologies, technical means and ways of forest utilisation which minimise impact on forest ecosystem; building forest roads and skidding trails in the way and of the quality which minimises leaching, erosion and impact

5.1.2.1. Extent of stated subordinated forest management and measures, by sorts of measures, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

5.1.2.2. Extent and share of these protective forests at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

5.1.2.3. Share of forests declared as protective for these purposes with respect to (a) all protective forests and (b) all forests, at the level of FR/MU

5.1.2.4. Extent of unacceptable operations in these forests, by their sorts, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

5.1.2.5. Share of forest land affected by leaching and erosion processes, at the level of FR/MU

5.1.2.6. Size of torrents (in selected watersheds) from

47

on the water regime; minimising negative impact on animal populations, etc. and, if necessary:

– restricting or excluding forest utilisation,

– declaring forests with prominent functions of protection of forest soils and waters (for protective forests), and


such forests and changes in those processes, at the level of FR/MU

5.1.2.7. Duration and quality of water outflow from these forests (in selected watersheds) and changes in those processes, at the level of FR/MU

5.1.3. Maintaining the special regime of protection of drinking water in forest water protection zones by restricting or prohibiting utilisation of forests and prohibiting the use of chemicals, in compliance with water-related regulations

5.1.3.1. Extent of implementation of the respective protection regime, at appropriate local level

5.1.3.2. Quality of drinking water from these zones and changes thereto, at appropriate local level

Register of protected zones of springs of drinking water

Special analysis by competent institutions

Sub-criterion 5.2: Maintenance and appropriate enhancement of the function of protection of infrastructural facilities and protection of other natural resources from natural disasters and unwanted effects in compliance with Pan-European Assessment Guidelines for Protected and Protective Forests and national regulations, strategies and programmes


5.2.1. Inventorying and mapping the functions of protection of infrastructural facilities and other natural resources from natural disasters according to prominence of these functions and integration of guidelines for protection thereof into Forest Development / Management Plan / Programmes

5.2.1.1. Extent of inventory and mapping of these functions, by prominence thereof, at the level of FR/MU

5.2.1.2. Integration of individual protection guidelines into plans


Maps of forest purpose (for protective forests)

Elaborate for declaration of protective forests

48

5.2.2. Maintaining and appropriate improving the protection of infrastructural facilities and other natural resources from natural disasters, especially in localities where such needs in forests are prominent (link with 5.2.1), by:

– forest management which is subordinated to this objective and, inter alia, includes establishment and maintenance of larger complexes of forests above settlements, and belts of forests along larger roads or around facilities which have a negative effect on people; performing low-intensity single-tree cutting only; using technologies, technical means and ways of forest utilisation which make minimum damages to forest ecosystem and, if necessary:

– restricting or excluding forest utilisation in those localities;

– declaring forests with prominent function of protection of infrastructural facilities, and


5.2.2.1. Extent of stated subordinated forest management and measures, by sorts of measures, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

5.2.2.2. Extent and share of respective protective forests at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

5.2.2.3. Share of declared protective forests due to these forms in (a) protection forests and (b) all forests, at the level of FR/MU

5.2.2.4. Extent of unacceptable activities in these forests, by sorts, at the level of FR/MU (for state and private forests)

5.2.2.5. Reduced influence of avalanches, torrents and sediments on infrastructural facilities protected by these forests, compared to the forests where such measures have not been taken, at appropriate local level

5.2.2.6. Reduced impact of emissions of gases and noise along roads with protective belts made of trees compared to the ones with no protection, at appropriate local level

5.2.2.7. Reduced impact of wind and other biotic factors on infrastructural facilities protected by these forests, compared to the ones with no protection with forest, at appropriate local level




MTSD Report

Special analyses / measurements

Assessment by experts for individual fields of environmental impacts

49

Criterion 6: Maintenance and enhancement of socio-economic forest functions

Sub-criterion 6.1: Maintenance and enhancement of economic forest functions by more efficient forest administration, improvement of economic efficiency and viability of forestry sector in compliance with National Forest Policy, regulations, plans, programmes and market conditions


6.1.1 Improving the capacities and efficiency of state forest administration by:

– supporting quicker delineation of state and private forest holdings or parcels under dispute;

– more effective planning and better administration of concessions, including, inter alia, annual adjustment of the extent of concessions and fees (in compliance with the methodology), appropriate project, professional and advisory support to proper, quality and efficient implementation of forest operations, permanent monitoring of operations of concession holders, etc., with efforts aimed at transparent presentation of all implemented works as per concession contracts;

– striving for quality and full implementation of concession contracts, especially in relation to utilisation of low-value timber, utilisation of forests with no roads, and timely fulfilment of financial liabilities of concession holders;

6.1.1.1. Share of delineated forest parcels, by years, at appropriate local level

6.1.1.2. Availability of information on individual concessions on FA web-site with an overview of contracted and implemented works, in compliance with the contracts

6.1.1.3. Average amount and changes of concession fees for utilisation of forests, excluding construction and maintenance of forest roads (€/m3), by years, at the level of MU, presented by:

a) Forest purpose; b) Openness of forests; c) Origin of forests; d) Main tree species; e) Sorts of felling.

6.1.1.4. Average amount and changes of calculated costs of forest operations and investments in construction of roads and skidding trails (in appropriate unit), by years, at the level of MU

6.1.1.5. Extent of professional, advisory activities (by sorts) and monitoring of concession holders as performed by FA, at the local FA level

Cadastre and ownership documents

FA Annual Forest Management Programs

Technical bases for concession acts and contracts

Concession contracts and annexes

Reports on concession holders’ operations

FA monthly and annual reports

Reports on payments of concession fees as prepared by FA

Reports on technical acceptance of forest roads

Reports on monitoring of concession holders

Special analyses of implementation of concessions

50

– using other mechanisms to ensure utilisation of state forests, especially contracting forest operations and selling of timber products, except for selling stump wood.

6.1.1.6. Percentage of (annual) realisation of payments of concession fees, at the local FA level

6.1.4.7. Number and extent of auctions (for execution of works, selling wood assortments and selling standing timber) at the local FA level

6.1.2. Improving the capacities and efficiency of private forest administration by:

– supporting quicker delineation of private and state forests;

– encouraging of (by FA) voluntary associating of private forest owners for more rational joint forest planning and utilisation;

– ensuring (by FA)the carrying out of stand inventories and elaboration of management programmes for private forests as well as operational plans for private holdings;

– striving for quality implementation of forest management programmes, decisions on harvesting and operational projects with advisory support of FA or private licensed entities, and ensuring financial incentives to registered holdings for effective private forest administration, management and development;

– introducing joint sales (auctions) of timber from private forests, particularly in cooperation with FA.

6.1.2.1. Ownership structure and structure by parcels of private forests (presented by parcels) and changes compared to the previous planning period, at the level of MU

6.1.2.2. Share of delineated private forest parcels compared to state forests, at appropriate local level

6.1.2.3. The number of established PFOAs for common management and total size of such forests, at the level of MU

6.1.2.4. Extent of common planning (management programmes and operational projects) and common utilisation of private forests by PFOAs, at the level of MU

6.1.2.5. Extent of common utilisation of private forests and neighbouring state forest areas / parcels by PFOAs, at the level of MU

6.1.2.6. Coverage of private forests by management programmes and operational projects, at the level of MU

6.1.2.7. Extent of realisation of planned harvesting and other forest operations in private forests (by sorts of operations), by years, at the level of MU

6.1.2.8. Extent of professional and advisory activities (by sorts) performed by (a) FA or (b) private licensed entities, at local FA level

6.1.2.9. Number and structure of registered forest

Cadastre and ownership documents

Cadastre of parcels / real estate

Forest Information System

Annual programmes and FA reports on forest management

Operational projects

Reports of PFOAs

51

holdings, at local FA level

6.1.2.10. Extent of incentive measures (by sorts) private forest owners have received, by years, at local FA level

6.1.2.11. Number and extent of activities related to organization of joint sales of timber products, by sorts (auctions, other), at appropriate local level

6.1.3. Improving the macro and micro economic efficiency of forestry, particularly by enhancing production function and improving forest utilisation (link to 3.2.1. and 3.2.3, 3.3.1. – 3.3.5., 3.3.7. – 3.3.9.), and forest administration efficiency (link with 6.1.1. – 6.1.2.)

6.1.3.1. Value of produced / sold: a) Wood assortments, b) NWFPs and NWPFSs, c) Ecosystem services of forests,

by sorts thereof and years, at the level of local FA Unit

6.1.3.2. Net income of enterprises, separately for concession holders and other enterprises, by years, at the level of local FA Unit

Closing balance of enterprises

Annual reports of the competent institution


Special analyses of business operations of forestry enterprises

6.1.4. Improving the economic viability of forestry by increasing the total income generated from forests (link with 6.1.3.) and additional incentive support to forestry, with a precondition for realisation of necessary biological, technological and other investments in forestry, as per plans and programmes

6.1.4.1: Total financial result, income and expenditures (by sorts) in forest administration and management (sectoral level), by years, at the level of local FA Unit (for state and private forests)

6.1.4.2. Costs of provision of forest ecosystem services by sorts (conservation of biodiversity and protection of habitats; protection of soil, water and infrastructure; recreational services and spiritual values of forests), at local sectoral level

6.1.4.3. The level of coverage of planned needs and sources of funds for forest management, by years, at the level of local FA Unit (for state and private forests)

6.1.4.4. Total amount of planned and realised budgetary or incentive funds for biological and technical investments in forests, by years, at the level of local FA Unit (for state and private forests)

FA and PFOA annual reports

Special economic analyses of forest management (FA and PFOA)

Local communities’ annual reports

52

6.1.4.5. Total amount of realised budgetary funds of the local community for support to construction and maintenance of forest infrastructure and other measures, compared to funds generated by fees paid for state forest utilisation, by years, at the level of local FA Unit

Sub-criterion 6.2: Promotion of employment in forestry through a stronger need for execution of works in forestry or provision of the services, and by improvement of safety at work in forests, as per regulations, plans, programmes and special technical standards


6.2.1. Creating new jobs and using new employment opportunities (permanent and seasonal) in forestry

6.2.1.1. Number of workers in forestry, grouped by educational background, age and gender structure and changes thereto by years, at the local FA level


6.2.2. Ensuring the protection and safety at work in forests by:

– informing forestry employees about health risks and injuries at work and training them in safety at work;

– taking all necessary preventive measures and means of protection at work in compliance with international (ILO) conventions and national regulations;

– planning, organizing and implementing works in a safe manner.

6.2.2.1. Number of professional courses and other activities implemented to train workers, by years, at the local FA level

6.2.2.2. Number of cases of (non) use of prescribed equipment for protection and safety at work by workers in forests, and changes by years, at the local FA level

6.2.2.3. Number of workers in forestry for whom the employer has not provided appropriate insurance, by years, at the local FA level

6.2.2.4. Number of serious injuries at work and deaths in forestry and changes by years, at the local FA level

FA annual programmes and reports

Plans of protection at work

Operational plans

Reports of competent institutions related to health and safety at work

53

Sub-criterion 6.3: Maintenance and widening of forestry’s support to rural development and local population, as per national policies, regulations and programmes


6.3.1. Ensuring the direct and indirect forestry’s support to rural development, particularly by:

– allocating (50%) of funds generated by fees paid for utilisation of state forests, on the respective area, for the local budget;

– establishing cooperation between FA and local communities regarding construction and maintenance of forest roads of public interest;

– providing support through FA to promote local entrepreneurship related to forests and forestry.

6.3.1.1. Contribution of forestry and timber processing to local gross domestic product, by years

6.3.1.2. Contribution of forestry to the local community’s budget, by years

6.3.1.3. Participation of FA in financing of construction and maintenance of forest roads of public interest, by years, at the local FA level

6.3.1.4. Number of established small enterprises related to forests, forestry and ecotourism, at the local FA level

Plans of maintenance and construction of roads (FA and local communities) and implementation reports

Annual statistical reports at local level

Annual reports of local self-governments

Plans and reports on the work of local PFOAs

Plans for ecotourism

Special analyses

6.3.2. Ensuring the direct and indirect support of forestry to local population by:

– supplying timber from state forests (up to 10 m³ per household), including free of charge collection of fuel wood and use of standing fuel wood (for people in need of social support) and purchase of timber under favourable conditions;

– providing opportunities to local population to perform works in state forests;

6.3.2.1 Share of population that received wood from state forests free of charge or under favourable conditions and amount of the wood (physical and financial) by years, at local FA level

6.3.2.2. Volume of timber provided from state forests (physical and financial), by mode of provision and years, at the local FA level

6.3.2.3. Number of local contractors in state forests and extent of realised harvesting and works (physical

Annual management programmes and FA reports

Register of enterprises

Survey of local population

54

– including the local population in planning and decision-making in forestry.

and financial), by years, at the local FA level

6.3.2.4. Share of local population that participated in planning and preparation of documents in forestry, by years, at the local FA level

Sub-criterion 6.4: Encouraging the local processing and use of timber and timber products as per national policies, programmes, opportunities and needs


6.4.1. Encouraging the final of wood processing and creation additional value of wood products (for new products originating from woody biomass, link with 1.3.3.) at local level

6.4.1.1. Extent of timber processing by sorts of products and changes by years, at local level


6.4.2. Encouraging the use of timber and wood products at local level (for energy purposes, link with 1.3.4.)

6.4.2.1. Extent of the use of timber and timber products per capita, at local level

55

Sub-criterion 6.5: Promotion of the use of recreational and other social forest functions and improving provision of such services in ecologically acceptable manner in compliance with regulations, plans and programmes


6.5.1. Ensuring the ecologically acceptable use of recreational and other social forest functions, in forests primarily intended for this purpose (link with 4.4.2. and 4.4.3.), based on appropriate planning and guiding of recreation (within this framework by marking forest roads and paths intended for recreation), raising awareness of population, establishing educational forest paths, and cooperation with forest owners, users and the local self-government

6.5.1.1. Number of visitors of forests for recreational and other social purposes and changes by years, at appropriate local level

6.5.1.2. Establishment of educational paths in forests, at the local FA level

6.5.1.3. Extent of cooperation and promotional activities intended for these purposes at the local FA level

Annual forest management programmes and reports on their implementation

Local plans and strategies of development of ecotourism

Annual reports of local tourist organisations

Reports and plans of sport institutions and organisations

Reports of associations of mountain climbers, recreational sportsmen and hunters

Recreation projects

Reports on approved grants for projects of recreation in forests

6.5.2. Ensuring the recreational forest services, particularly by providing infrastructure for forests intended for recreation, maintaining recreational forest roads and paths, adjusting intensity, spatial and time dynamics of forest operations in recreational areas, taking care for aesthetics and other social values of forests (link with 4.4.2. and 4.4.3.), as well as by ensuring economic conditions (budgetary financing of recreation projects), in cooperation with forest owners, users and the local self-government

6.5.2.1. Extent of implemented special measures / projects for equipping forests for this purpose

6.5.2.2. Amount of allocated and used budgetary funds of the local self-government and users of state forests for these purposes

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5.2. GENERAL CONDITIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT

Criterion 7: Maintenance and improvement of general institutional and economic conditions for sustainable forest management

Sub-criterion Indicator Source of verification

7.1. Ensuring the general administrative, planning, professional and technical activities and services related to all forests and forest functions, in compliance with regulations and programmes

7.1.1. Extent of these FA activities presented by sorts and years, at the local FA level

Annual programmes and reports on the work of FA and NP

7.2. Ensuring advisory support to forest owners and users or executors of forest operations, in relation to aspects of sustainable forest management, particularly when preparing operational projects, marking of trees and technical acceptance of works

7.2.1. Number of forest owners and contractors trained through courses to perform forestry operations, presented by years, at the local FA level

7.2.2. Number of private forest owners who received advice from local forester once a decision for harvesting has been made, presented by years, at the local FA level

7.2.3. Number and share of forest owners and contractors who completed their forest operations in orderly manner, presented by years, at the local FA level

Annual programmes and progress reports of FA and NP

Questionnaire for forest owners and contractors

Certificates that forest owners and contractors have been trained

7.3. Ensuring necessary budgetary funds for implementation of activities, measures and works towards improvement of forest functions and sustainability of forest management, and directing

7.3.1. Amount of allocated and used budgetary funds or incentives by sorts of measures and years, at the local FA level

7.3.2. Number of private forest owners who received

Annual programmes for using FA funds and their implementation

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incentives towards users for intended purposes, in compliance with regulations and programmes

incentives for forest operations, presented by years, at the local FA level

7.4. Ensuring the necessary number and training of professional staff to perform all activities and services in forestry (link to 7.1 - 7.3), and permanency of the staff at operational level (system of “district foresters”)

7.4.1. Number of qualified people employed in these activities, presented by level of education and years, at the local FA level (for state and private forests)

7.4.2. Extent of activities related to construction and development of expert staff, presented by activities and years, at the local FA level

7.4.3. Number and share of full-time forestry experts, presented by jobs and years, at the local FA level (for state and private forests)

FA and NP systematizations, assessment of their compliance with needs and the level of occupation


7.5. Ensuring inter-sectoral cooperation and cooperation with other institutions interested in forests and forestry at local level

7.5.1. Extent of activities related to cooperation by sorts and years, at the local FA level


Reports of other institutions

7.6. Ensuring participation of all interested parties in the implementation of planning documents and acts, and decision-making in forestry, at local level, in compliance with regulations and programmes

7.6.1. Number of institutions and individuals who participated in (a) preparation and (b) monitoring of planning documents and acts in forestry, presented by years, at the local FA level

FA and NP annual progress reports

Analyses of implementation of planning documents

Reports on public hearings

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6. IMPLEMENTATION OF CRITERIA AND INDICATORS Since the contents of the document have been intended for the operational and local level, the document will be especially implemented at the level of FR and local unit of FA, respectively, and at MU level. Implementation of criteria in operational forest management means using these criteria as standardised guidelines, norms, ways of work and conduct in a day-to-day practice. This form of implementation starts immediately upon the adoption of this document. Implementation of criteria and indicators in monitoring and evaluation of forest condition and quality and sustainability of forest administration and management means using these measurement tools based on the related annual programmes i.e. in compliance with them. This form of implementation starts immediately upon the adoption of the programme of this monitoring i.e. the beginning of its implementation. Monitoring periods of certain aspects of sustainability of forest management have already been given in general within specific indicators (e.g. by years), so that the monitoring programme will in this sense only determine in which years i.e. how frequently certain criteria and indicators will be monitored, as well as when the comprehensive Report on Sustainability of Forest Administration and Management will be developed. In terms of monitoring and comprehensive reporting, specific commitments and requirements will be especially related to forestry engineers of local units of FA in charge of specific forest management units. In this way, the number of their commitments will increase, and the work of engineers will become more professional, innovative and interesting. To implement this document in terms of monitoring and reporting, it will be necessary to organise a special training intended for responsible forestry engineers working in a selected local unit of FA i.e. management unit.

criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management in montenegro, sn…

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