# § 6703. Definitions
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** 16 U.S.C. 1600
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.).
**(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** section 6704(a) of this title
The term “Institute” means an Institute established under .
**(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.
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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 108–317, § 4, Oct. 5, 2004, 118 Stat. 1206.)
## Editorial Notes
### References in Text
The Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974, referred to in par. (1)(B), is , , , which is classified generally to subchapter I (§ 1600 et seq.) of chapter 36 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.