Background
The conservation of biotic and abiotic values is a central theme to the sustainable management of indigenous forest. Since 1998, Lindsay and Dixon Ltd (L&D) have been managing the 11,580 ha Longwood & Rowallan Forest Estate under a Sustainable Native Forest Management Plan approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry under the Forests Act 1993.
Conservation
Lindsay & Dixon Ltd accept the meaning of ‘conservation’ as defined by the World Conservation Union (IUCN), the world’s largest conservation organisation.
“The management of human use of the biosphere so that it may yield the greatest sustainable benefit to present generations, while maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations.
Thus conservation is positive, embracing preservation, maintenance, sustainable utilization, restoration, and enhancement of the natural environment”
This definition does not limit conservation to preservation alone but also encompasses the concept of wise use providing for the needs of people and communities while maintaining the elements and functions of ecosystems.
High Conservation Value Forest
Lindsay & Dixon Ltd accept the meaning of 'High Conservation Value Forest' as defined in the certifying body Principles and Criteria.
High Conservation Value Forests are those that possess one or more of the following attributes:
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a
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forest areas containing globally, regionally or nationally significant: concentrations of biodiversity values (e.g. endemism, endangered species, refugia); and/or large landscape level forests, contained within, or containing the management unit, where viable populations of most if not all naturally occurring species exist in natural patterns of distribution and abundance.
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b
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forest areas that are in or contain rare, threatened or endangered ecosystems.
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c
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forest areas that provide basic services of nature in critical situations (e.g. watershed protection, erosion control).
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d
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forest areas fundamental to meeting basic needs of local communities (e.g. subsistence, health) and/or critical to local communities’ traditional cultural identity (areas of cultural, ecological, economic or religious significance identified in cooperation with such local communities).
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It should be noted that this definition may constrain but does not necessarily preclude productive management from areas of High Conservation Value Forest.
Rare, Threatened and Endangered Species
Lindsay & Dixon Ltd use the New Zealand Threat Classification System to identify and effectively manage rare, threatened and endangered species.
Lindsay & Dixon Ltd Policy
Lindsay & Dixon Ltd endeavor to maintain and restore the indigenous biodiversity of the Longwood & Rowallan Forest Estate and will manage the forests to conserve all ecosystem elements and functions.
