SESSION 6

SILVICULTURE, FOREST PRODUCTION, CERTIFICATION,
WOOD CHAIN
(Coordinators: Stefano Berti, Piermaria Corona)

In the last decades great changes have characterized the forest production sector. New functions, such as the social and cultural role of forests, have increased the importance and complexity of the forest system. Laws and regulations, often implicitly, have given less importance to the productive function in comparison to other forest functions. However, forest owners must be helped in confronting the challenges coming from these social, economic and cultural changes, by combining sustainable management with the productive use of the forest. In this perspective, product certification and market organization are crucial aspects. Today there is a growing interest in forest products which combine responsible consumption with reduced environmental impact, such as wood for energy production, wood for homes built according to sustainable living standards, and other non-timber products. Sustainable management is not in conflict with a production-oriented use of forest resources. Thus, correct planning policies and market requests may represent an incentive for silviculture activities.

 

Themes

1. Timber production

Sustainable silviculture in high forests

Sustainable silviculture in coppices

Silviculture and increase of wood production

2. Tree plantations for wood production

Plantations for quality and quantity timber production

Plantations for biomass production

3. Non-timber forest products

Production and harvesting techniques  

Harvesting rules and regulation

4. Timber harvesting

Timber harvesting systems

Low environmental impact timber harvesting

Forest road network

5. Forest certification

Role of forest certification

Socio-economic implications of forest certification

Promotion and perspectives

6. Forest products chain

Chain and market organization

Use of wood waste

Small and medium enterprises

New products and innovative technologies

Financial and economic valuations for wood chain development

Relationship between environment and wood and paper industries