“Close to nature” forest management as a method of sustainable management

Abstract

Sustainable forestry management can be viable economically, environmentally and socially responsible. The term environmentally responsible mainly means to maintain the biodiversity of the managed land. Biodiversity is a product of million years of evolution, whereas the social and economic are human concepts that change rapidly, therefore the maintenance of biodiversity should represent the main objective of a sustainable forestry management. Biodiversity is composed of three attributes: composition, structure and function. Out of these three, the structure is the easiest attribute to manage and forestry agents have much experience with its control. From all the proposals within sustainable forestry management, the maxim is that exploited forests should reflect the present structure in virginal woodlands, which preserved the habitats of the forestry species. To achieve this, harvesting for timber supply should balance the natural mortality. “Close to nature” forest management reflects the natural processes within the majority of woodlands. Furthermore, the focus on high quality individual trees represents a more attractive economic alternative for all kind of woods even on the smaller scale.