Forest multifunctionality: new scenarios for research and innovation

Abstract

European rural development policies will probably tend to expand, whereasagricultural and forestry policies are being increasingly integrated with environmentaland land management policies. The author underlines the importance of enhancingforest multifunctionality through sustainable management, thus implementingmanagement and silvicultural systems that maximise synergies and added value forlocal communities. Multifunctional and sustainable forest management can beeffectively pursued if contrasting interests and needs are overcome and coherencebetween environmental protection policies and economic resource enhancement isstimulated. To this end the author points out that a political effort is needed to defineand support adequate policies that favour participation of the multiple stakeholdersinvolved and to increase knowledge through investment in research and innovationThe author examines the strategic role of research in forestry, the research anddevelopment activities supported in the past by the ARSIA (Tuscan Regional Agencyfor Development and Innovation in Agriculture) and research priorities for the future.The European and national research context where these actions should be placed isthen indicated. Conclusions concern principles and organisation priorities for theItalian research network in the agricultural and forestry sector.