Forests for the 21st Century?

Abstract

The present Portuguese forests resulted from reforestation in the context of socio-economic changes in rural areas, which have been occurring since middle of the 20th century. Hence, some of its vulnerabilities are related to the lack of tradition in the management of forests in a country where agriculture was the dominant activity until recently. In addition to the vulnerabilities resulting from inadequate management forests are facing today, as well as in the future, changes in the environment (climate) and in potentially harmful biotic invasions - e.g. pests and diseases - must be taken into account. Simultaneously, global markets change as well as the impact of agricultural and rural development policies on forestry. In spite of these constraints, it is a relevant sector for the national economy that claims for research results to support policies and management planning concerning its sustainability. This paper describes the national forest sector in its economic, social and environmental facets. Based on current research, we discuss some of the impacts of climate change scenarios and the new forest management paradigms on the forests of the future in the Portuguese continental territory..