Regenerative Silviculture
What is Regenerative Silviculture?
Regenerative silviculture is an approach to forest management that emphasises the adaptation, restoration, and enhancement of ecological processes and the promotion of resilient, diverse, and healthy forest ecosystems. It goes beyond traditional timber-focused management practices by prioritising the regeneration and long-term sustainability of forest resources while considering the ecological, social, and economic aspects of forest management. Providing higher quality timber sustainability without degrading the woodland ecosystem, and without the need for large-scale restocking programmes.
Managing Woodlands Sensitively
Moving away from large scale felling operations which destroy ecosystems and release high levels of carbon from the soil; regenerative forestry is the practise of managing woodlands sensitively to create more diverse and resilient environments that can provide habitats and ecotones, while still providing timer products and locking away carbon.
Individual Tree Selection
By a process of individual tree selection, woodlands can be sensitively managed to create an ‘irregular’ stand of age groups and specie types. Removing the lower quality trees to provide space for higher-grade timber production and to make way for natural regeneration. The best seedlings are recruited as the next cohort of productive trees, all the while providing ecological value throughout the varied stages of their lifecycle.
Integration of Multiple Values
Regenerative silviculture recognises and integrates multiple ownership objectives beyond timber production. It considers the provision of ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration, water quality, and biodiversity conservation. It also accounts for social and cultural values, including landscape aesthetics, recreation, and traditional uses of the forest. Encouraging education, exploration and enjoyment.
Protects Forest Soils
The implementation of the regenerative silvicultural system helps protects forest soils by avoiding unnecessary soil disturbance by restricting machinery access to permanent extraction rides. This avoids soil compaction, reduces soil erosion, evades damage to seed banks and ancient features, and allows richer herbaceous layers to establish, whilst still providing timber crops to support local industry and lock away the carbon in long-term timber products.
Higher Grade Timber
Making space for only the best trees, and without the need to restock large areas with nursery grown trees which can often be the source of pests & diseases, irregular stands can provide a constant supply of higher grade timber at regular interventions. This avoids the boom and bust cycles of clear-felling, as well large-scale restocking and maintenance programmes.
Ecological Restoration
Regenerative forestry practices aim to restore and enhance the natural ecological processes and functions of the forest. This includes promoting natural regeneration, biodiversity conservation, and the development of complex forest structures. Emphasis is placed on maintaining or reintroducing native species, including keystone, heritage, endangered, or rare species, and creating habitat diversity to support a wide range of wildlife.
Continuous Cover Forestry
Specialising in ‘Irregular Silviculture’, a ‘Continuous Cover Forestry’ system, Regenerative Forestry implement a more modern approach to woodland management, one which avoids deforestation practises and seeks to maintain constant canopy cover. It avoids clear-cutting and favours selective harvesting techniques that mimic natural disturbances to promote uneven-aged stands. This method promotes continuous regeneration through encouraging tree seedlings to be produced naturally and flourish to provide a diverse structure and a more stable and resilient forest ecosystem.
Natural Succession and Resilience
A regenerative approach to woodland management recognises the importance of natural succession in forest ecosystems. It allows for the natural processes of species establishment, growth, and competition, which leads to self-renewal and increased ecosystem resilience over time. With a focus on promoting the natural resilience of forests, enabling adaption to environmental changes, including climate change and adverse weather events.
Soil Health and Nutrient Cycling
By prioritising the maintenance and improvement of soil health and nutrient cycling, the practise of regeneration silviculture minimises soil disturbance, protects sensitive soil habitats, and encourages the retention of organic matter. Healthy soils promote tree growth and vitality and enhance overall ecosystem productivity, supporting biodiversity net gain.
Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
Regenerative silviculture encourages collaboration and engagement with stakeholders, including local communities, conservation organisations, and forest industry representatives. It recognises the importance of shared decision-making, transparency, and incorporating diverse perspectives to achieve sustainable and socially acceptable outcomes.
Adaptive Management and Monitoring
Regenerative Forestry places emphasises on adaptive management; continuously learning from and adjusting management practices based on monitoring and research findings. Promoting a science-based approach, incorporating feedback from ecological monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and ongoing research to refine management strategies over time.
Ideology Implementation
By implementing regenerative silviculture principles, woodland managers can foster the restoration and resilience of forest ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and promote the sustainable use of forest resources. This approach aims to balance ecological, social, and economic objectives, ensuring the long-term health and productivity of forests while addressing the challenges posed by climate change and other environmental pressures.
