The place of ecological silviculture, now and in the future

Abstract

Elements of ecological silviculture have been in existence for over a century [l], yet many of the principles and applications did not emerge broadly until the 1990s (e.g. [2]), with particular emphasis on Douglas-fir-dominated forests of the Pacific Northwest [3]. The chapters in this book highlight how far this silvicultural model has evolved over the past several decades, both in geographic extent and the diversity of forest ecosystems and management contexts for which natural models have been applied. In contrast to generic mischaracterizations of ecological silviculture as solely being concerned with postharvest retention, the chapters in this volume have clearly demonstrated the art and creativity associated with practicing ecological silviculture and the resultant diversity of silvicultural approaches now being applied across various regions of the globe. In this chapter, we review the ecological silvicultural systems presented in preceding chapters, looking at commonalities and differences that reflect varying types of forests, societal concerns and objectives, and economic environments and what the growth opportunities are moving forward.

Citation

​D'Amato, Anthony W.; Palik, Brian J. 2024. The place of ecological silviculture, now and in the future. In: ​Palik, Brian J.; D'Amato, Anthony W., eds. Ecological silvicultural systems: exemplary models for sustainable forest management. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.: 286-291. Chapter 21.