The forest management and the mountain plantations of Austrian pine in the Italian peninsula

Abstract

In an attempt to understand their surrounding reality, human beings tend to organize it by causal relationships, in which different elements interact. In doing this, they astray systems. The system management is usually represented as a series of actions located in space and time and aimed at maximising the expected results (in the long run) and minimising their impact. The final goal is to preserve system functions, that is: sustainability of actions. Fundamental rules are analysed. Plantations, by adding new elements, affect relationships of system so to reach a new equilibrium more adapted to the development of forest vegetation in the site. But artificiality of Austrian pine plantations in the Italian peninsula mountains is causing structural variables of population not to be in equilibrium with environmental variables of the site. Then silvicultural action needed. Due to dynamic nature of forest system (including plantations) and to intrinsic imperfection of human knowledge, it is impossible to be aware of all its elements and relationships. Therefore, we argue that management of such systems should be based upon instrumental data and it should not disregard individual competence and personal judgement of the forest expert. Indeed he is, up to now, the only one that, after having carried out its analytical work, can understand forest dynamics and propose a management plan. The expert will critically evaluate the knowledge he acquired and will use it to personally reinterpret management issues: sensitivity, intuition and common sense of the forest expert should be considered as crucial management instruments.