La sylviculture proche de la nature face au conflit économie-écologie : panacée ou illusion ?

Abstract

Near-to-nature sylviculture in view of the conflict economy-ecology: panacea or illusion?The concept of near-to-nature sylviculture is open to varying ways of interpretation which mainly depend on the emphasis given to the terni of "culture" and "nature" and the values we associate with these two key expressions. It is, however, not a new concept; it dates back to the last century's sylvicultural conception developed by Karl Gayer. This very form of forest management bas been practised for more than a century in Switzerland; the experience gained is presented here. Sylviculture based on the principle of free use of cuttings is a remarkably liberal concept. It differs essentially from other, stricter concepts derived from the ideology of the perpetuating forest according to Môller. Using the principle of free use of cuttings, the aim is to revaluate the position of the sylviculture with regard to forest management, whose role is control and follow up. This liberal form of combining the principles of naturalness and multifunctionality appears to bc remarkably modern if the need to favour diversity is added. The whole is connected to the fact that current economic conditions are becoming less and less favourable.

Keywords

• Sylviculture
• naturalness
• mode of regeneration
• multifunctionality
• Switzerland