SILVICULTURE: BIODIVERSITY, GENETIC RESOURCES, PROTECTED AREAS AND FAUNA

The Authors synthesize the main themes discussed in the Session “Silviculture, biodiversity, genetic resources, protected areas, and fauna” of the Third Italian National Congress of Silviculture. Attention was focused on genetic variability of forest trees, criteria and indicators for forest biodiversity monitoring, forest habitat fragmentation, forest recolonization of pastures and open areas, forest type classification, renaturalization of simplified forest systems, in particular plantations, forest management systems based on traditional local knowledge, characterization and management of Natura 2000 forest habitats, forest management in National Parks, relationship between silviculture and wild ungulates. The Authors conclude that forest biodiversity conservation must take into account both the complexity of forest ecosystems and of their interactions with the social, economic and cultural environment.