**2.3 Ecological and environmental aspects**

This section will explore the variety of ecosystem assessment alternatives from the very general to the specific. Ecosystem assessment alternatives are provided from many sources.

Methodology for Forest Ecosystem Mediating Indicator – Case Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania 11

potential to provide for the demanded ecosystem services such as production of forest goods (e.g. timber, fuel wood, fodder, medical plants), conservation of biodiversity, and

Forest structure Maintain a natural-like structure of trees including age/size (basal area and

height of trees) and canopy cover and restore areas where forest structure is

Constructs the forest room and constitutes the system for nutrient cycling, soil formation and primary production, form the overall habitat for all organisms, regulate local climate, retain, store and purify water and moisture and makes a

Secure safe water for consumption and the furrow irrigation system produce timber, fuel wood, food, cash crops, fodder and many other bio products.

Timber, carbon storage, climate regulation. On regional level water to irrigation, hydropower, consumption and ecosystems via Pangani River basin

Provider of genetic material for large number of organism necessary for keeping the evolutionary potential intact, and provision of large number of

Secure a wide variety of organisms to be utilized by the society where some already have known benefit for people and probably many other are undiscovered useful species which will be discovered in the future.

Secure biodiversity resources for future generation. Medicines

Table 3 shows measured and analyzed variables and Table 4 the total average value and derived target for the nine individual variables or indicators which constitute CFEMI. Identifying variables and methods for measurement, and deciding on targets require both

CFEMI is proximity-to-target indicator and the target is determined for each variable as a certain value higher than the total average value for each individual variable for each site (plot). All trees within each site of 1000 m2 along the three transects (Mweka, Kilema and Marangu) are measured and the average value for each site is then calculated. These site specific average values are then accumulated to a total average value for all sites. However,

water regulation and supply of water of good quality.

damaged.

**Ecological aspect Management goals and ecosystem services** 

**Main ecosystem services:** 

**Benefit for locals:** 

Erosion control Income from tourism **Benefit for globals:** 

species

catchment forest reserve at Mt. Kilimanjaro

**2.5 Measurement and calculation** 

**Benefit for locals:** 

Income from tourism **Benefit for globals:** 

Ecosystem resilience

Tourism and eco-tourism. Recreation

quantitative and qualitative approach, and are depending on local conditions.

Table 1. Main ecological aspects, goals for management and ecosystem service of the

optimal primary production possible

water system is extremely import. Tourism especially eco-tourism

**Main ecosystem services:** 

Biodiversity Maintain natural level of biodiversity including diversity of trees.

The first group of sources are various national forest policies including the CFP (MNRT, 1998, 2001, 2006; Sjaastad et al., 2003). The second group comprises strategies and efforts from international organisations. In addition to the authoritative bodies under the UN, such as FAO and others, the new initiatives connected to Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA 2005) are most relevant. The third group is connected to the globalization of environmental management standards including sustainable forest management under the International Tropical Timber Organization. A fourth group is NGOs and research institutes working with tropical forest politics, management and forestry. Examples include the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Rainforest Alliance, Social Accountability International (SAI) and The International Social and Environmental Accreditation Labelling (ISEAL).

Macqueen et al. (2006) outline the new historical opportunities for community ownership and management of forest to realize a better position for sustainable forestry due to the alliance with a new kind of globals connected to initiatives such as fair trade and others. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) in alliance with IUCN has taken the initiative in recent years to meet the requirement and opportunities connected to Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (WBCSD & IUCN, 2006).

For CFEMI, the purpose and objectives of CFP are directly relevant, as are the linkages between *Ecosystem Services and Human Well-being* of Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the conceptual framework between biodiversity, ecosystem services, human well-being and drivers of change especially relevant.

Based on CFP and the MA framework, the ecological parameters for CFEMI can be grouped into two main categories a) forest structure and b) forest biodiversity. These categories have been chosen because maintaining these two qualities will secure that most of the other important ecological factors including microorganism and fauna and the abiotic environment, will be covered. If forest structure and biodiversity are intact on a certain level, the forest will keep its resilience potential and a number of other ecological qualities which can provide ecosystem services for human well-being in a sustainable way (Table 1).
