SESSION 7

SILVICULTURE, LANDSCAPE, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE FOREST
(Coordinators: Fabio Salbitano, Giovanni Sanesi)

Agro-forest landscapes have always been linked to civilization and represent the synthesis of local communities’ needs and perspectives, in relation to the natural aspects of environmental systems. Over the last years, attention to the cultural and social role of forests has considerably increased.

Cultural landscapes, as underlined in the European Landscape Convention, represent the paradigm and the place for debating on planning and management, either active or conservative, of natural and human resources.

The role that silviculture has, and is still playing, in landscape modulation is central: modern silviculture must consider cultural, economic and social aspects characterizing landscapes.

Forests carry different values when considered at local and wider scales. These values, which have often become part of the local communities’ heritage, are not always shared and may lead to conflicts. Silviculture must follow approaches which are able to overcome this critical state.

Urban and periurban forest resources are particularly important. They contribute in different ways to the increse in environmental and life quality.

 

Themes

1.   Landscape

Agro-forest landscape: history, functions and interactions with silviculture

Landscape ecology

Agro-forest landscape, land use and ecological planning

Agro-forest landscape design and management

Landscape conservation

2.   Cultural and social functions

Silviculture, culture and society

Urban silviculture

Information, education, participation

Silviculture and traditional knowledge

Participation and social conflicts

Recreation, tourism and social functions

Silviculture and life quality