Preparation of a Forest Management Plan model adapted to the Protection and Conservation Measures

LIFE11 NAT/IT/000213

Setting up a Forest Management Plan mainly taking into account the conservation needs of the RN2000.

PROJECT REFERENT
Roberta Berretti

WEBSITE

Implement a forest plan based on a management model aimed at the restoration of Carabus olympiae habitats and at achieving a balance between biodiversity conservation and multifunctional use of the timber.

Carabus olympiae, is a steno-endemic species of Val Sessera (BI) threatened with extinction; among the main causes is the destruction of the favourite habitats of the species. The beech forest, in fact, if managed evenly (for example with coppice or high forest of the same age) determines a less suitable habitat for the species that requires undergrowth with shrub cover and greater leaf stratification, typical of non-regularly managed beech woods. To meet this need, the Plan has defined as first function for the site that of "Conservation of biodiversity", and, only secondarily, the other functions are considered (protection, fruition, and production).

Following these destinations, the following objectives of the plan are defined:

A.   Conservation of the bioecological function

• Management of reforestation areas, supporting natural evolutionary processes to direct them towards the status of semi-natural forests
• Restoration of the compositional and structural balance of the beech woods, improving their suitability to host the Carabus olympiae
• Monitoring and management of invasive tree species
• Maintenance and protection of the ecotone zones and glades

B.   Enhancement of the wood production function

C.   Identification of areas characterised by indefinite aging

D.  Improvement of the production capacity of propagation material for the main forest species suitable for the collection of seeds, and definition of the Management Regulations for the collection of seeds

E.   Enhancement of the tourist-recreational, cultural and landscape functions

The Forest Management Plan involves 3,934 ha, which make up the 68% of the surface of the N2000 site “Alta Val Sessera - IT1130002” and 100% of the surface of the current distribution area of the target species Carabus olympiae. It is a highly wooded area, mainly characterised by beech forests, encroachment in progress at the thicket stage, and some artificial area reforested with conifers (spruce, larch, and exotic species).

To ensure an effective implementation of the Good Practice, an accurate knowledge of the conservation targets of the N2000 site is required and the Protection and Conservation Measures must be defined in a clear and detailed way.

From the LIFE GoProFor database, in the final part of the sheet, it is possible to download both technical and informative material relating to the project and in particular the object of this good practice, the Forest Management Plan of the site "Alta Val Sessera - IT1130002" Regional Public Property of the "Val Sessera" (2015 - 2029), and the Layman's report.