Forstwirtschaft im Wandel. Waldarbeit und Forsttechnik im Spannungsfeld von Ertragskrise und Naturorientierung : Forsttechnik fuer naturnahe Waldwirtschaft

1996

S. 283-288

Unselbständiges Werk

200039153

In forestry two lines of development have led to lasting changes within the framework of post war timber production. The decreasing profits have resulted in pressures to rationalise, which in turn have not only caused a wave of mechanisation but also have called for adaptations in the number of employees and in the organisational structures of forestry enterprises. On the other hand, a new understanding of nature is developing. With this as background ecological soundness has become a primary objective in forestry. Thus the idea of a "machinable forest" has become obsolete. Both trends will surely continue in future. Forestry enterprises must, therefore, react by intensifying their strategy of cost reduction. This demands the consistent use of modern forestry technology as well as biological automation. Further job reductions will be the result, particularly since the harvesting of timber is being increasingly subcontracted. The number of forestry workers per enterprise will decrease, while the responsibilities of the individual worker will increase. Employee training and further education as well as their remuneration will be acutely affected by this situation. As a consequence of the changing concepts in forestry the middle and long term prospects for highly mechanised harvesting are becoming less favourable. But there is founded hope that high-tech forestry will succeed in developing solutions even for highly structured forests. The prerequisite for such a development is that forest technology continues to be accepted by both forest owners and forestry enterprises.