In this chapter:
((1)) ** Adaptive ecosystem management**
((A)) ** Definition** The term “adaptive ecosystem management” means a natural resource management process under which planning, implementation, monitoring, research, evaluation, and incorporation of new knowledge are combined into a management approach that—
((i)) is based on scientific findings and the needs of society;
((ii)) treats management actions as experiments;
((iii)) acknowledges the complexity of these systems and scientific uncertainty; and
((iv)) uses the resulting new knowledge to modify future management methods and policy.
((B)) ** Clarification** This paragraph shall not define the term “adaptive ecosystem management” for the purposes of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 ( et seq.).16 U.S.C. 1600
((2)) ** Affected entities** The term “affected entities” includes—
((A)) land managers;
((B)) stakeholders;
((C)) concerned citizens; and
((D)) the States of the interior West, including political subdivisions of the States.
((3)) ** Dry forest and woodland ecosystem** The term “dry forest and woodland ecosystem” means an ecosystem that is dominated by ponderosa pines and associated dry forest and woodland types.
((4)) ** Institute** The term “Institute” means an Institute established under .section 6704(a) of this title
((5)) ** Interior West** The term “interior West” means the States of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah.
((6)) ** Land manager**
((A)) ** In general** The term “land manager” means a person or entity that practices or guides natural resource management.
((B)) ** Inclusions** The term “land manager” includes a Federal, State, local, or tribal land management agency.
((7)) ** Restoration** The term “restoration” means a process undertaken to move an ecosystem or habitat toward—
((A)) a sustainable structure of the ecosystem or habitat; or
((B)) a condition that supports a natural complement of species, natural function, or ecological process (such as a low-intensity fire).
((8)) ** Secretary** The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service.
((9)) ** Secretaries** The term “Secretaries” means—
((A)) the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service; and
((B)) the Secretary of the Interior.
((10)) ** Stakeholder** The term “stakeholder” means any person interested in or affected by management of forest or woodland ecosystems.
((11)) ** Subdominant trees** Are trees that occur underneath the canopy or extend into the canopy but are smaller and less vigorous than dominant trees.
((12)) ** Overstocked stands** Where the number of trees per acre exceeds the natural carrying capacity of the site.
((13)) ** Resilience** The ability of a system to absorb disturbance without being pushed into a different, possibly less desirable stable state.