The important role of multifunctional forests in society: a methodology for stands delimitation

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Forest planning and management must be conceived in accordance with the circumstances and needs of the moment. Nowadays, the forest does not have a single and exclusive productive use but responds to multiple demands. The stand management method, with a broad approach, is has been recently well adapted to this type of multipurpose management. This study proposes a methodology for delimiting stands which led to manage different uses in forests in protected areas. The methodology consists of six phases: (i) create permanents units (ii) initial identification of forest typologies, (iii) image analysis, (iv) identification of tree types within the forest typology, (v) detailed inventory and (vi) formation of stands. An example is presented for the “Monte Paris” forest, located a few kilometers from Madrid, which combines protective, livestock and recreational use. For the protection use, pruning and thinning will be carried out, for the livestock use, supplementation, meadow sowing and enclosures, and for the recreational use, the design of an environmental center and five ecological trails are proposed. The organization in time and space of the activities planned in the stands allows a correct and satisfactory management of the multiple uses that occur in this forest.