Old-growth forests in forest planning and management in Trentino (Italy)

Abstract

The Author points out the criteria adopted in the province of Trento for identifying potential old-growth forests and their role in the general forest management strategy of the province of Trento (Italy). The different forms of protection and the derived constraints are described. While the conservation of potential old-growth forests is in fact guaranteed by the tendency to expansion of economically marginal forests and the presence of small areas designated for natural evolution inside production forest areas, the problem of the valorization of potential old growth forests from the biological, scientific and educational point of view is now a priority. Finally the Author points out the significance of the information obtainable from a network of old growth forests selected on the basis of forest types for a silviculture which combines the ecological approach with the economic one.