Forestry in Spain: an overview

Dr. José Reque Kilchenmann Dr. José Reque Kilchenmann ETSIIAA -Palencia ETSIIAA -Palencia

(University of Valladolid)(University of Valladolid)

(ha*1000)Sweden: 28.2Finnland: 22.2Spain: 18.2France: 15.9Germany: 11.1Poland: 9.3

Harvest ratio 1/3Harvest ratio 1/3

Area (km2) 505.9Population (mio)

45.9

People/km2 90.9

79% energy dependence79% energy dependence

Mediterranean climate

The Mediterranean Forests,a multifunctional system

Important human landscape Important human landscape modification since neoliticmodification since neolitic

Pinus pineaPinus pineaPinus pinasterPinus pinaster

r > 100 yearsp < 4m3/year

Problem I: Low timber productivity

Resin (P. pinaster)

Silvopastoralism

Stone oak(Quercus ilex)

¿ Regeneration ?

Cork oak (Quercus

suber)

FuelwoodFuelwood

Reduced canopy coverReduced canopy cover

An open and divers forestAn open and divers forest

Lynx pardinaLynx pardina

Problem IIProblem IISoil conservationSoil conservation

19301930 19321932

1946194620012001

Importance of Afforestations (3 Mio ha)Importance of Afforestations (3 Mio ha)

Importance of Afforestations (3 Mio ha)Importance of Afforestations (3 Mio ha)

Problem III.Problem III.

Consequences Consequences

• Silvicultural intensification• Even aged silviculture• Artificial regeneration• Non woody products (secundary prd.)

Micology

Hunting

Problem IVRegeneration

Mediterranean mountain forests

2600m2600m

3400m3400m

Central rangeCentral range Sierra NevadaSierra Nevada

R > 100 yearsP = 2-10 m3/year

Natural regeneration

Important Landscape Changes

1927192720012001

Mediterranean riversidesMediterranean riversidesIntensive Ligniculture (Populiculture)Intensive Ligniculture (Populiculture)

• ((Populus * euramericanaPopulus * euramericana; 25m; 25m33/ha/year; R=12 years)/ha/year; R=12 years)

Atlantic climateAtlantic climate

11% surface; 81% wood supply11% surface; 81% wood supply

400.000 ha400.000 ha

Atlantic climateAtlantic climate

Pinus radiata(R = 30/40 years; even aged; clear-cutting

Eucalyptus globulusEucalyptus globulusCoppice forest; Coppice forest; R=12-15 yearsR=12-15 years

Alpine climateAlpine climate

3400m3400m2600m2600m

Alpine climate

3400m3400m

PyreneesPyreneesLagopus mutusLagopus mutus