Annual Allowable Cut

The Annual Allowable Cut (AAC) is the annual amount of timber that can be harvested on a sustainable basis within a defined forest area. It is measured in cubic meters and is based on what the forest will grow. Forest managers use a variety of sample plots and statistical methods to predict the future growth of the forest and determine the AAC. The AAC regulates harvest levels and ensures that timber harvesting is sustainable. The AAC is set at a level that ensures that the forest can continue to grow and regenerate while allowing for timber harvesting to meet economic and social needs. The AAC is a long-established concept, but it remains loosely defined and has been criticised on economic and ecological grounds.