Pathways to the Wise Management of Forests in Europe : Reprint from Forest Ecology and Management, Vol. 132/1 (2000)

Amsterdam

Elsevier

2000

119 S.

Monographie

120680

Forest Ecology and Management 2000, 119 S.

An electronic communication system - the EFERN database of institutions, projects and scientists is now available, operating on the Internet. The development of priorities for research started with a meeting in Vienna, in 1996, where major research themes were delineated. A thematic framework was then established for analysis of these areas. this framework was built on the fundamental concepts of sustainability, productivity, biodiversity, ecosystem stability-resilience, and multifunctionality. The contents of this volume has evolved from the first presentation at a meeting in Paris, 1997, through a series of discussions and interactions, using modern electronic communication systems, a final plenary meeting in Sweden in 1998 and a series of meetings of the co-ordinating group. The final paper, in particular, is based on the presentations and results from working groups at a meeting in Sweden 1998. It has developed further after discussions and attempts to identify the appropriate focus of research for the development of sustainable forestry founded on ecological and ecosystem principles with an integration of Socio-economic and planning. Knowledge of the past, which affords an understanding of how previous land-use has influenced the forests we have today, provides the only firm foundation ofr an effective research programme. This special issue begins, therefore, with an exploration of the impact of history and of the development of ideas on forests and forest management. This is followed, in the same paper with a history of forest ecosystem research, which together from the basis of future development. The four following papers develop the concepts of ecosystem stability, the scientific basis of sustainability, biodiversity and the interaction between society and forest ecosystem. Regional perspectives on research priorities are then presented, but while highlighting diversity in issues, the thrust of EFERN is emphasise their common scientific basis. The need for co-ordinated activities has been stressed. We need not only increased understanding of the forest ecosystem and its process, but we must also integrate this knowledge and its application to forest management with socio-economic circumstances, whether at pan-European or regional scale of resolution. The multifunctional nature of the demands placed on forests today further emphasis the need for interdisciplinary research. Not only are European forest ecosystems multi-faceted, their complex history greatly complicates the understanding of their reaction to change, whether natural or anthropogenic. It is important too, to understand that anthropogenic influence encompasses not only external influences, such as climate change, but within the forest, both deliberate management intervention and the absence of positive management. The way to a balanced utilisation and management of forest land will require new dimensions. It is no longer sufficient to focus on planning of forest stands in isolation of the wider environment. We need to consider both the interaction of the forest with contiguous ecosystems, surface waters, for instances, but we must also consider the forest in the landscape. This broader perspective incorporate an element of landscape planning into the integration of the ecological and socio-economic criteria of forest management. It is a challenge to bring experts from different disciplines together. It is also a challenge to make effective use of existing field information from the work of previous researchers. The results of long-term studies are particularly valuable. Time is an ecological factor not to be forgotten.