Silviculture is a sister science of agriculture, although it is somewhat less known, and is responsible for Forest cultivation and maintenance. When we talk about silviculture we talk about the conservation of the environment and nature through the cultivation of forests, environmental quality and production and maintenance of grasses for cattle. For example, in Spain, forestry generates, within the forestry industry sector, mainly wood and cork farms.
To know in more detail What is forestry or forest exploitation Continue reading this Ecology Verde article, where you will learn about the characteristics of this scientific discipline, as well as the different types of forestry that exist and the advantages and disadvantages that are associated.
What is Silviculture – Definition
Silviculture encompasses the activities of sowing, maintenance and exploitation of forest crops (forests and mountains). It is considered a sister science of agriculture, although with certain differences between them, mainly in terms of the production methodology, since in forestry results are obtained after tens of years (depending on the cultivated species), while in agriculture, the fruits and harvests are obtained in months.
During the practice of Silviculture Forests are cultivated with different treatments and techniques, with the aim of ensuring their maintenance and optimally using the different natural resources they can produce. In this way, forestry is responsible for maintaining the well -being and productivity of the different forest ecosystems that we can find in any corner of the planet.
What is forestry or forest exploitation – examples for
Silviculture is responsible for Forest and forest forest management in order to obtain permanent production that meets the needs and services that are demanded by society. It is based on the principles of Sustainability of goods and quality, using various treatments that allow the use of crop for different purposes and prolonged over time.
In this way, depending on the function that a certain crop performs, the silvicleer will apply different treatments to obtain, for example, Wood, firewood or fruits.
The main objective of forestry will always be to allocate the forest spaces available for growth, to the Tree cultivation of which some benefit can be obtained, such as wood, cork or paper. Different plants are also included in silviculture crops that will be used as fodder for cattle.
At the beginning of forestry, an optimal production of wood crops was exclusively pursued. However, other ecological objectives that include more resources of the Silvicultural System are also currently considered, such as: producing several long -term crops and have a balance between the biological, ecological and economic needs of the cropin order to always guarantee the renewal of its resources.
So that you know better the need for forestry or Forest exploitationalways well managed, we recommend you read what is the importance of forests and jungles, as well as think about all the benefits that they bring you in the day to day (from the cleaning of the air to paper, wood, food …).
Silviculture types – extensive and intensive
We can find two Types of forest exploitation or forestry:
What is extensive forestry
It encompasses activities within environmental, economic and social environments. In this type of forestry, crops are distributed in different areas of natural forests. With the practice of extensive forestry, the protection of the environment is achieved in the areas of cultivated forests, as well as offering different services to the population (tourism and environmental education) and guaranteeing the production and maintenance of forests and mountains.
What is Intensive Silviculture
Use different varieties of silvรญcola management techniques to guarantee optimal forest surface dedicated to crop.
Advantages of forestry or forest exploitation
Like everything, forestry has advantages and disadvantages. These are the Advantages of Silviculture:
- Among the main advantages of forestry is the afforestation of areas that have a small amount of trees and/or even in desert areas such as, for example, reforestation after a fire. Here you can learn what reforestation, its importance and objectives is.
- It is also a source of life for many species, both vegetable and animals.
- It also provides many environmental benefits because it helps purify air through carbon fixation, clean and feed rivers and supplies different sources of drinking water.
For all these Silviculture benefitsthis is of great importance. It can currently contribute significantly to overcome the challenges faced by forests and at the same time minimize climatic changes, also fulfilling different sustainable development objectives.
Disadvantages of forest exploitation or forestry
However, forestry entails some disadvantages, mainly when it is not managed well. Thus, it is vital that people dedicated to silviculture know well the terrain of crops that work to maintain forests and mountains. Otherwise, it will be very easy for them to harm the environment, endangering the animal and plant species that inhabit the area. Thus, When managing badly, forestry can be an environmental problem If there is an imbalance produced by human factors, such as The excess of logging, the planting of incompatible speciesetc.
If you are interested in forests, their care and regulated exploitation, we recommend that you look for ways to participate in the improvement of these green spaces, both in community and individually. To do this, we offer you this other ecology article in which we tell you how to take care of the forests. In addition, in this other post you can discover all types of forests, their characteristics and photos.
If you want to read more articles similar to What is forestry or forest exploitationwe recommend that you enter our category of other environment.
- D. Granados-Sรกnchez et. to the. (2004) Ecology and Silviculture in temperate forests. Chapingo magazine, online version.
- TW Daniel et. to the. (2000) Silviculture Principles. Forest Library, UNLP Argentina.
- D. Donoso (1989) Basic background for forestry -type forestry. Silviculture Institute, Universidad Austral de Chilepp: 37-53.