Managing forests to sustain biodiversity: Substituting accomplishment for motion

We are proceeding at great speed over difficult terrain, towards an unknown , unquantifiable goal. The speed reflects genuine public concerns and a sen se of urgency. The difficult terrain reflects the complexity of forest prac tices. Moreover, forests are simultaneously the richest terrestrial ecosyst ems on earth and major contributors to social infrastructure. Slipperiness of the goal reflects the fact that biological diversity is not a thing, but a cluster of concepts. To a large extent we have substituted motion for ac complishment To substitute accomplishment for motion I suggest five steps: 1) separate two big issues Glow much old growth is enough and how we practi ce forestry); 2) create a credible, interim operational goal for biodiversi ty tit is possible); 3) confront the issue of habitat distribution (Canada is well positioned); 4) focus on total amount of habitat rather than its di stribution (many concerns about the latter are mislead); and 5) slow down a nd think (the alternative is dangerous).