Systemic silviculture and Mediterranean forest complexity: the need for a new paradigm in forestry

Abstract

Mediterranean forests are characterized by a very high biodiversity. This diversity is endangered by the pressure of human activities. Furthermore, management of Mediterranean forests is still based on the classical approach, largely targeted to productive goals. Following social expectations there is the need for a new approach to managing and cultivating Mediterranean forests. Systemic Silviculture, a new paradigm in forestry based on the absence of schematic rules and continuous monitoring of the forest’s feedback to human interventions, can answer this need because it respects the system’s complexity.