Weak basis for “systemic” silviculture

Abstract

An analysis is presented of the ecological basis of the so-called “selvicoltura sistemica” (systemic silviculture). Systemic silviculture implies an “a-structured forest”: the meaning of this particular condition is discussed in the paper, exploring the different possible interpretations and thus demonstrating that an “a-structured” forest can not be observed in nature. The silvicultural method proposed therefore seems to have a fragile ecological basis moving it away from a close-to-nature forest management approach, which is currently believed to be the most promising one for achieving forests that provide multiple goods and services.

Keywords

• Close-to-nature silviculture
• Forest ecology
• Ecosystem
• Forest structure
• Self-thinning law