Forests for Future – Multifunctional Forests

Abstract

The long periods or rotation cycles of forests production are sources of uncertainty in the predictions of future forest conditions. The rotation cycles of the different types of forests in Europe vary between 30 to 200 years. There is a lot of uncertainty in forecasting the future climate, markets for forest products, as well as the society’s requirements from forests. The societal expectation and requirements of forest management have changed dramatically during one rotation cycle of 100 years. They shifted from sole production of timber to the requirements of increasing timber production, as well as for other mainly social functions. The main aim of this study is to determine what types of forest could satisfy multiple requirements and withstand impacts of potential future threats to their functions under the future uncertainties. The study shows that such forests should be highly productive multifunctional forests, mixtures of the forests of different primary functions, compatible within the shared space, and resistant to stressors and disturbances. It shows that the best practices for creating such multifunctional forests are considering the optimal spatial arrangement in a complete three-dimensional space, and the system of reforestation establishing mixed forests, such as the in-line and spot planting. The spatial arrangement can address conflicts between the maintenance of biodiversity and the timber production. The study presents the results generated from a successfully realized project of real multi-functional forest establishment in the landscape.