La multifonctionnalité des forêts entre discours et pratiques: Illusion ou réalité à assumer ?

Abstract

Beyond the official discourse, there is no consensus on forest multifunctionality in France, particularly among those whose priority concerns are justifiably the international competitiveness of the wood production and processing industry in France. A historical account of this debate is provided, with an enlightening detour via agriculture. A first trial evaluation (initiated by the FCBA) of the cost of multifunctionality exists, but it mainly highlights the importance of methodological issues that need to be clarified. Essentially, the debate in France relates to the implicit possibility of territories being divided into specialised segments, in the absence of a full set of specifications to adopt such a strategic option, and without having assessed its operational feasibility. Five minimum measures necessary for any talk of multifunctional sustainable management are set out. They are not enough however to dispense us from the need to further consider, on a scale to be determined, the possible environmental impacts that should be avoided, reduced or where applicable compensated. Finally, conclusions are drawn from these reflections concerning: the diversity of motivations and goals of forest managers; the spatial scale to which the reasoning applies; possible equivalences between multifunctionality by plot and by mosaic of monofunctional parcels; the right balance between the approach based on contract and one based on regulatory processes, the role of the state as between free enterprise and state intervention.