LMH Guidelines to Support Implementation of the Great Bear Rainforest Order with Respect to Old Forest and Listed Plant Communities

This LMH #72 handbook provides a standardized framework for identifying and protecting Old Forest and threatened plant communities within British Columbia's Great Bear Rainforest. Because legal definitions of ancient ecosystems often involve subjective qualities, the text introduces a rigorous Forest Attribute Score to help land managers evaluate stands based on objective structural markers like veteran overstorey trees, large snags, and canopy complexity. The guide specifically bridges the gap between high-level policy and field-level reality by offering dichotomous decision keys that determine if a forest is Sufficiently Established to merit conservation status. By focusing on both biological age and ecological function, this document ensures that maturing forests with old-growth characteristics are preserved alongside primary ancient stands. This document serves as an essential bridge between environmental legislation and sustainable forestry operations, ensuring the long-term ecological integrity of the coastal temperate rainforest.