Old growth forests definition
Old growth forests means forests characterized by, but not limited to, the following characteristics: overstory canopy trees of great age (exceeding at least fifty per cent of a projected maximum attainable age for a species); little or no evidence of human-caused understory disturbance during the past eighty to one hundred years; an all-aged structure and multilayered canopies; aggregations of canopy trees interspersed with canopy gaps; and significant numbers of standing dead snags and downed logs.
Old growth forests means stands of at least two tree species, forming a multi-layered canopy with occasional small openings; with at least 20 trees/hectare (eight trees/acre) more than 81 centimeters (32 inches) dbh or more than 200 years of age; and more than 10 snags/hectare (four snags/acre) over 51 centimeters (20 inches) diameter and 4.6 meters (15 feet) tall; with numerous downed logs, including 10 logs/hectare (four logs/acre) more than 61 centimeters (24 inches) diameter and more than 15 meters (50 feet) long. High elevation stands (more than 762 meters (2,500 feet)) may have lesser dbh (more than 76 centimeters (30 inches)), fewer snags (more than 0.6/hectare (1.5/acre)), and fewer large downed logs (0.8 logs/hectare (two logs/acre)) that are more than 61 centimeters (24 inches) diameter and more than 15 meters (50 feet) long.
Old growth forests means forest stands that have developed, undisturbed, over a long period of time and contain large tree species and a complex stand structure.
More Definitions of Old growth forests
Old growth forests means a contiguous forest at least five (5) acres in size that