FSC certification of plantations
Natural forests alone are not able and should not be expected to supply the world's needs for wood and fiber. More intensive production systems are needed for this.
FSC recognizes the pressure placed on the world’s forests from the ever-increasing demand for timber resources. It supports the responsible use of natural forests as a complementary strategy to support the conservation of the world's forests.
As a general principle, the more intensive a production system is, the higher its conservation efforts should be. Also, by working with the different realities between forests and plantations, FSC will better be able to achieve its mission of promoting responsible forest management.
However, FSC certified plantations do not replace natural forests. FSC does not support conversion of natural forests to plantations or other land uses.
FSC is currently reviewing the implementation of the FSC Principles and Criteria in plantations. Many FSC members and stakeholders are constructively engaging with FSC in the Plantations Review. In a few instances however, criticism have been presented to FSC in campaigns.
Below are some links to further information regarding FSC certification of plantations:
Please read the FAQ’s below and should you have any further questions you should contact your national FSC representative.
Frequently asked questions
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Who decided that FSC should certify plantations and how was that decision made?
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After much debate, the FSC membership recognized that there is a continuum of conditions between natural forests and plantations, varying from very diverse and complex natural systems to simpler man-made plantations.
In 1995, the FSC membership voted a majority of 98% in favor of adopting Principle 10 for plantations – in addition to Principles 1-9 for plantation management. As with all FSC membership voting, it must have a majority vote in each sub-chamber: social, environmental and economic members for North and South. -
How do plantation management benefit natural forests?
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Producing fiber from FSC certified plantations alleviates pressure off natural forests. Also, many FSC certified plantations actually contribute to the restoration of natural forests, by either allowing or actively promoting regeneration of natural forests in sensitive areas such as riparian zones or by creating a buffer around natural forest areas. This can be seen in many cases in different parts of the world, where plantation type operations have significant areas of natural forests within their boundaries.
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Can all plantations seek FSC certification?
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No. Only plantations established before the FSC Principles and Criteria were agreed to in 1994, or established on degraded lands (reforestation) or substituting agricultural uses can be certified to FSC standards. This is currently being reviewed in the FSC Plantations Review.
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What exactly are plantations?
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Plantations are forest areas that lack most of the principal characteristics and key elements of native ecosystems, which result from the human activities of either planting, sowing or intensive silvicultural treatments.
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What proportion of FSC certified area is plantation?
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More than 8 million hectares of plantations are FSC certified. This represents roughly seven percent of the total area globally certified to the FSC Principles and Criteria. These certificates primarily lie in Brazil, South Africa and the UK. A further 35 million hectares of mixed forests are certified – a mix of semi-natural and mixed plantation and natural forests.
Figures from March 2008. For more exact figures, read our latest Global FSC certificates: types and distribution publication online.
