La nature en forêt: Qualités clés à conserver

Abstract

Biodiversity and functional processes of forests ecosystems are related to primary ecological qualities that are spontaneously found in old-growth forests, i.e.: diversity of species, of forest stand types and associated habitats; nativeness of trees and other species taking part in the ecosystem; structural complexity of tree stand; microhabitats and species habitats; maturity of tree stand; comprehensiveness of silvigenetic cycle; continuity in space; ancientness of forest cover (continuity over time). This aim of this article is to present shortly each key ecological quality, before reappraising management-induced changes, and discussing some new conservation tools developed to improve some qualities (retention of deadwood, network of old-growth islands, etc.). The article ends by exploring some perspectives for truly sustainable management.