Impact of continuous cover forestry on forest systems

Abstract

The forests’ large spatial and temporal frame makes them unique. Their management developed over time through a large set of methods and techniques. Up to the 13th century, forests were able to provide products and services. From the 13th century onwards, regulations were made in order to preserve the forests and their products and services. Later on, in the 19th and 20th centuries, the increasing demand of woody and non-woody products and services changed the paradigm of forest management. The result was the development of several approaches to multiple use management, among which was continuous cover forestry. These approaches are based on complex systems, continuity of crown cover in space and time, and natural regeneration. This review describes the principles, the management options and the challenges to the implementation of continuous cover forestry.