Experiences and perspectives on the application of small patch cuts treatment in silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) stands in the Casentino Forests National Park (Italy)

Abstract

In the last few decades, the attention of silviculturists has been devoted to verify silvicultural treatments of low environmental impact to answer two main problems:

- the need to replace some traditional silvicultural treatments (e.g. clear-cut) considered in contrast with the principles of sustainable silviculture and biodiversity conservation,

- the re-naturalisation of man-made conifer plantations established over large areas.

After theoric considerations about the «small patch cuts», a treatment codified in European silviculture based on the principles of the regeneration of natura1 forests connected with the openings of canopy cover, results of the application of this treatment, after 16 years in the Casentino Forests National Park on artificial stands of silver fir (Abies alba Mill.) are reported. Finally, criteria on the establishment of new series of experiences are shown.