Context
The forestry techniques of most primary plant productions tend for about 40 years to an increasing intensification (monoculture, genetic selection, mechanized plantation, ...).This was for most of it made to the detriment of the biological diversity and of the quality of the environment.
Objectives
The project aims at conceiving, using, studying and testing new techniques for the natural regeneration of the most planted ligneous species in Walloonia Picea abies (L.) Karst.Description of tasks
Inventory of the forests of Picea abies (L.) Karst existing in Wallonia and having a natural regeneration ;- selection of experimental plots and utilization of the different techniques of natural regeneration ;
- experimentation of different techniques of manual and mechanized maintenance of the natural sowing ;
- experimental tests of different mechanized harvesting techniques of parent forests ;
- economic modelling of experimented forestry techniques and comparison with the artificial regeneration ;
- information towards the field staff of the Nature and Forest Division, the Walloon Region as well as towards private foresters.
Results obtained
Three methods (Scandinavian, French, German) were tested. The less damaging method for standing trees proves to be the German method which damages 13,8 % of the trunks. The French method has the best rate of sowing protection, that is 22,5 % per m². Exploitation costs are however significantly higher with respectively 50 % to 70 % of extra cost.Partners
Forestry Unit – Agricultural Sciences University of Gembloux,Exploitation Enterprise MIEST
CRAW off coordinator
DELVINGT WillyFaculté Universitaire des Sciences Agronomiques de Gembloux
Passage des Déportés, 2
B-5030 Gembloux
Funding
- SPW - DG Foreign policies
- DGRNE Natural Resources and the Environment
