Site classification systems could link social and ecological management constraints

Many landownerships face a diverse set of complex management objectives constrained by both ecological and social factors but lack an integrated conceptual organizational framework to efficiently guide long-term management planning. We suggest that three tools independently developed in recent decades- conservation filters, ecological classification systems, and geographic information systems- can be efficiently combined to facilitate diverse management objectives. Both research and management could benefit from combining these tools to develop iteratively refined site classification systems (SCS), the structures of which are based on ecological and social data and are constrained by periodically revised management objectives. The proposed SCS framework builds on existing tools but additionally directly incorporates human dimensions. By enabling database searches targeted to relevant management objectives, the use of broad, evolving, and site-specific SCS could facilitate addressing various and diverse management objectives and provide flexibility to address emerging issues such as forest health and bioenergy.