forestcentered

Forestcentered is a term used in environmental policy, conservation, and planning to describe approaches and frameworks that place forests and their ecological integrity at the forefront of decision making. It treats forests as dynamic ecosystems with intrinsic value and multiple services, rather than primarily as sources of timber, land for agriculture, or carbon credits.

The concept is applied at multiple scales, from community-managed forests to national land-use policy and international climate finance. It informs how land is allocated, how forest-related economic activity is organized, and how restoration and protection programs are designed to maximize biodiversity, resilience, and long-term ecosystem services.

Core principles often include: prioritizing ecological integrity and biodiversity; safeguarding the rights and livelihoods of indigenous peoples and forest-dependent communities; integrating climate, water, soil, and cultural values; using adaptive management and monitoring; and ensuring transparent governance and benefit sharing.

Common applications include community forestry, sustainable supply chains, payments for ecosystem services, forest restoration, protected area design, and urban forestry planning. It also involves tenure reform and governance reforms to give communities greater say in forest management.

Critiques note potential conflicts with immediate economic needs, enforcement challenges, and the risk of overlooking social equity if not properly designed. Proponents emphasize contextual, participatory approaches and the alignment of forest-centered aims with broader goals such as climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.