Franklin, Jerry F. 1992. Scientific basis for new perspectives in forests and streams. In: Naiman, Robert J., ed. Watershed management--balancing sustainability and environmental change. New York: Springer-Verlag: 25-72.
New perspectives that involve development of management approaches thatintegrate ecological and economic values are especially important in riparianzones because of the numerous ecological linkages between terrestrial andaquatic ecosystems. The scientific bases for alternative management regimesfor forests and associated streams lie primarily in expanded knowledge ofthe importance of ecosystem complexity, of biological legacies in reestab-lishing ecosystems following major disturbances, and of landscape perspec-tives (larger spatial and temporal scales). Each of these three areas of knowl-edge is reviewed and then applied in developing some alternative approachesto managing forests and associated riparian zones. Maintenance or re-cre-ation of structurally diverse managed forests is an important principle ofNew Perspectives concepts at the stand level. Structures such as large trees,snags, and down logs are focal points in management, because they can actas surrogates for organisms and functions that are often difficult to quantify.Important considerations at the landscape level include special attention toriparian habitats (including headwaters), creation of an interconnected sys-tem of reserved areas, and selection of appropriate patch sizes for managedareas. Substantial progress is occurring in development and field trials ofNew Perspective concepts at both stand and landscape levels. A high levelof collaboration between scientists, managers, and public interest groups isessential for this process to be successful.
Key words. New Forestry, riparian, biological diversity, biological lega-cies, landscape ecology, fragmentation, cumulative effects.