Chapter 02 · Nature, land & waterBiodiversity & Nature
Old-growth forest
Definition
Old-growth forest is forest with long ecological continuity, mature structure and features associated with relatively undisturbed development over time.
References
This reference provides supporting context for how “Old-growth forest” is defined and used.
Overview
What it means in practice
Old-growth forest should be read as a biodiversity and nature term. Its meaning depends on the ecosystem, geography, baseline, species or metric being used.
In practice, users should state the boundary, location, baseline and evidence source. That keeps old-growth forest specific enough for review without overstating certainty.
Why it matters
Old-growth forest matters because nature language can compress complex ecological conditions into a simple phrase. Clear wording helps readers understand whether the term describes status, pressure, response, target or measured outcome.
Common misconception
A common error is to use Old-growth forest without naming the ecosystem, species, geography or baseline. Those details are what make the term reviewable.
Review questions
What place, boundary or baseline gives the term meaning? What evidence supports it? What uncertainty or limitation would change the reader's interpretation?
How it is used
Land managers, scientists, companies, governments and affected communities use “Old-growth forest” in land-use planning, biodiversity assessment, water management, restoration, sourcing and conservation decisions.
In each case, the user should state the location, ecosystem or resource boundary, baseline, timeframe, indicators and affected rights-holders; otherwise, the same term may be applied to materially different situations. In this context, it refers to forest with long ecological continuity, mature structure and features associated with relatively undisturbed development over time.