This section presents each of the 64 indicators included in the Montréal Process Criteria and Indicators set (MP C&I)—the factual data that constitute the nuts and bolts of sustainability reporting.
The main goal in presenting all of this data is to provide a better foundation for assessing the sustainability of our Nation’s forests. More than 30 Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, scientists and collaborators were involved in assembling the information in this report, all experts in their respective fields. As a result, the indicator briefs presented in this report should be seen as windows into broad areas of forest science and research. Moreover, because of the comprehensive nature of the MP C&I and its explicit hierarchical structure, the information presented in this section of the report constitutes a reference resource for forests in the United States that is unparalleled in terms of its breadth and easy accessibility.
Click on each of the criteria below to view their related indicators. Some criteria may have subcriteria, as they have been grouped together by the Montréal Process.
Criterion 1: Conservation of Biological Diversity
Describes the types of forest found in the United States, the area they inhabit, and the diversity of plants and animals found within them (9 indicators; view Criterion 1)
Expand to view indicators for criterion 1
Subcriterion. Ecosystem Diversity
- Indicator 1.01: Area and percent of forest by type
- Indicator 1.02: Area and percent of forest in protected areas
- Indicator 1.03: Fragmentation of forests
Subcriterion. Species Diversity
- Indicator 1.04: Number of native forest-associated species
- Indicator 1.05: Number and status of native forest associated species at risk
- Indicator 1.06: Status of onsite and offsite efforts focused on conservation of species diversity
Subcriterion. Genetic Diversity
- Indicator 1.07: Number of forest associated species at risk of losing genetic variation
- Indicator 1.08: Population levels of selected representative forest-associated species to describe genetic diversity
- Indicator 1.09: Status of onsite and offsite efforts focused on conservation of genetic diversity
Criterion 2: Maintenance of Productive Capacity of Forest Ecosystems
Describes the capacity of our forests to produce products that are valued by society (5 indicators; view Criterion 2)
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- Indicator 2.10: Area and percent of forest land available for wood production
- Indicator 2.11: Total growing stock and annual increment available for wood production
- Indicator 2.12: Area, percent, and growing stock of plantations of native and exotic species
- Indicator 2.13: Annual harvest of wood products
- Indicator 2.14: Annual harvest of nonwood forest products
Criterion 3: Maintenance of Ecosystem Health and Vitality
Describes the health or our forests and the various disturbance processes that occur in them (2 indicators; view Criterion 3)
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Criterion 4: Conservation and Maintenance of Soil and Water Resources
Describes the condition of soil and water in our forests and the steps we are taking to sustain these resources (5 indicators; view Criterion 4)
Expand to view indicators for criterion 4
Subcriterion. Protective Function
Subcriterion. Soil
- Indicator 4.18: Management activities that meet best management practices to protect soils
- Indicator 4.19: Area and percent of forest land with significant soil degradation
Subcriterion. Water
Criterion 5: Maintenance of Forest Contribution to Global Carbon Cycles
Measures the amount of carbon stored in our forests and in long-lasting wood products, and the amount of carbon emissions avoided through the use of wood for energy (3 indicators; view Criterion 5)
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Criterion 6: Maintenance and Enhancement of Long-Term Multiple Socioeconomic Benefits To Meet the Needs of Societies
Describes the various social and economic aspects of forests in the United States, including (1) production and consumption of forest outputs; (2) investments in forests and the forest sector; (3) employment and forest communities; (4) recreation and tourism; and (5) the cultural and spiritual values associated with forests (20 indicators; view Criterion 6)
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Subcriterion. Production & Consumption
- Indicator 6.25: Value and volume of wood and wood products production
- Indicator 6.26: Value of nonwood forest products produced or collected
- Indicator 6.27: Revenue from forest-based environmental services
- Indicator 6.28: Total and per capita consumption of wood and wood products
- Indicator 6.29: Total and per capita consumption of nonwood forest products
- Indicator 6.30: Value and volume of exports and imports of wood products
- Indicator 6.31: Value of exports and imports of nonwood products
- Indicator 6.32: Exports and imports of wood products as a share of production and consumption
- Indicator 6.33: Recovery or recycling of forest products
Subcriterion. Investment in the Forest Sector
- Indicator 6.34: Capital investment in forest management, forest-based industries
- Indicator 6.35: Annual expenditure in forest-related research, extension, and education
Subcriterion. Employment & Community Needs
- Indicator 6.36: Employment in forest products sector
- Indicator 6.37: Average wage and injury rates in major forest employment categories
- Indicator 6.38: The resilience of forest-dependent communities
- Indicator 6.39: Area and percent of forests used for subsistence purposes
- Indicator 6.40: Distribution of revenues derived from forest management
Subcriterion. Recreation & Tourism
- Indicator 6.41: Area and percent of forests available and managed for public recreation and tourism
- Indicator 6.42: Number of visits attributed to recreation and tourism and related to facilities available
Subcriterion. Cultural, Social & Spiritual Needs & Values
Criterion 7: Legal, Institutional, and Economic Framework for Forest Conservation and Sustainable Management
Describes the laws, policies and institutions that help determine forest management in the United States (20 indicators; view Criterion 7)
Expand to view indicators for criterion 7
Subcriterion. Extent to Which the Legal Framework Supports Sustainable Forest Management
- Indicator 7.45: Clarifies forest property rights and land tenure
- Indicator 7.46: Provides for periodic forest-related planning, assessment, and policy review
- Indicator 7.47: Provides opportunities for public participation in public policy and decisionmaking
- Indicator 7.48: Encourages best practice codes for forest management
- Indicator 7.49: Provides for the management of forests to conserve a range of values
Subcriterion.
- Indicator 7.50: Provides for public involvement activities and public education and extension programs
- Indicator 7.51: Implements periodic forest-related planning, assessment, and policy review
- Indicator 7.52: Develops and maintains human resource skills across relevant disciplines
- Indicator 7.53: Maintains physical infrastructure to facilitate forest management
- Indicator 7.54: Enforces laws, regulations, and guidelines
Subcriterion. Extent to Which the Economic Framework Supports Sustainable Management
- Indicator 7.55: Regulation, investment, and taxation policies
- Indicator 7.56: Nondiscriminatory trade policies for forest products
Subcriterion. Capacity To Measure and Monitor Changes in Sustainable Management of Forests
- Indicator 7.57: Availability of data and other information for addressing Montréal Process Criteria and Indicators
- Indicator 7.58: Scope, frequency, and reliability of forest inventories and related information
- Indicator 7.59: Compatibility with other countries in reporting on indicators
Subcriterion. Research and Development Capacity Aimed at Improving Forest Management
- Indicator 7.60: Development of scientific understanding of forest ecosystems
- Indicator 7.61: Methods to integrate costs and benefits into markets, policies, and accounting
- Indicator 7.62: New technologies and the consequences associated with their introduction
- Indicator 7.63: Enhancement of ability to predict impacts of human intervention on forests
- Indicator 7.64: Ability to predict impacts on forests of possible climate change