The
role of forest management is to maintain on appropriate
enhancement of forest resources and encouragement
of productive functions of forests (wood and non-wood).
Forest
Management Plans should aim to maintain or increase
forest and other wooded areas, and enhance the quality
of the economic, ecological, cultural and social values
of forest resources, including soil and water protection.
This should be done by making full use of related
services such as land-use planning and nature conservation.
Forest
Management Plans safeguard the quantity and quality
of the forest resources in the medium and long term
by balancing harvesting and growth rates and by promoting
techniques that minimise direct or indirect damage
to forest, soil or water resources.
Appropriate
silvicultural measures should be taken to maintain
the growing stock of resources at, or towards, a level
that is economically, ecologically and socially desirable.
Forest
Management Plans make the best use of natural structures
and processes and use preventive biological measures
wherever and as far as economically feasible to maintain
and enhance the health and vitality of forests. Genetic,
species and structural diversity should be encouraged
and/or maintained to enhance stability, vitality and
resistance capacity of the forests, to counteract
environmental factors and strengthen natural regulation
mechanisms.
Forest
Management Plans must promote a diversity of both
horizontal and vertical structures, such as uneven-aged
stands and the diversity of species in mixed stands.
Where appropriate the practices should also aim to
maintain and restore landscape diversity.
Tending
and harvesting operations should be conducted in a
way that does not cause lasting damage to ecosystems,
and, in general, to the environment. Wherever possible
practical measures should be taken to improve or maintain
biological diversity.
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