Ecosystem Services Procedure: Impact Demonstration and Market Tools
Abstract
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Forest Stewardship Standards already require forest managers to maintain/conserve or enhance/restore ecosystem services and environmental values. They also require the managers of FSC-certified forests to identify, produce, or enable the production of diversified benefits and/ or products based on the range of resources and ecosystem services existing in the management unit. The procedure offers a framework for verifying impacts and approving FSC ecosystem services claims that can be used by forest managers to access ecosystem services markets and/or other benefits. It set out the requirements for FSC-certified forest managers to credibly demonstrate the impact of their activities on the maintenance, conservation, restoration or enhancement of ecosystem services.