Elements of sustainable forest management

Abstract

Elements of the modern day vision on sustainable forest management are discussed. Some aspects of the concept are analysed, focusing on the natural definition in comparison with the ecosystem definition. The significance of ecological stability is emphasized. It is pointed out that perhaps the most important aspect of forest stability and sustainability is the ability to retain soil fertility. Attention is paid to the importance of species composition, the role of organic matter, the impact of forest use and the problems of forest engineering. In order to reach sustainable forest management, a number of strategies can be applied, based either on the market or the state. There is a need for measurable criteria and indicators for the evaluation of sustainability. Therefore new programmes of scientific sampling or even basic research are still needed. Forest sustainability provides still a dramatic lot of questions and efforts, a.o. on the potentiality of sustainable forestry.