The term forestry means the cultivation and maintenance of forests. We must take note of the need to manage and care for forest lands so that we can guarantee their good health and existence over time. Only then will we be capable of sustainable production.
According to the Cambridge dictionary, forestry is the science of planting and taking care of large areas of trees. A second definition from the RAE talks about the “combination of techniques and knowledge surrounding caring for forests or mountains.” Both are correct, although we could expand them a bit more; forestry refers to the discipline that manages forest areas, focused above all on their care and maintenance. What does forestry entail? Applying techniques to forests and mountains to obtain continuous and sustainable production without damaging the ecosystem nor putting the good health of the territory in danger.
We could say that forestry is a way to take advantage of forests for human needs while simultaneously keeping the well-being of the forest and its responsible use in mind. Forestry techniques have two main goals in mind: the longevity of forest areas and its varied use.
What is the difference between forest exploitation and forestry? When we talk about forest exploitation, we are referring to the extraction of resources from a forest area to obtain raw materials (wood, cork) that are typically used for production purposes. Forest exploitation obtains materials but with risks like deforestation and forest damage; forestry focuses on conserving and maintaining the forest, although it can be extracted in a controlled manner.
Why is Forestry Important?
We’re going to review the goals of forestry because knowing why it’s important will help us understand it completely.
Land use
Forestry practices are key on fertile grounds because, above all, we can take advantage of abandoned or mistreated areas and transform them into useful ground for planting trees. Thanks to forestry techniques, we can create natural green spaces where no such place previously existed, if the ground’s condition permits it.
Caring for the Environment
Forestry contributes to the ecological balance that our planet needs. Proper planning and cultivation helps natural resource regeneration, which is necessary for the local economy. Forestry principles have a long-term approach (years, decades), always focused on conserving the forest.
Cultivating Trees
Trees are very beneficial for the environment and biodiversity. In addition to providing shade, trees are crucial for creating homes for animals. Trees produce oxygen that purifies the air, keeps rivers clean, lowers the ground’s temperature, and regenerates it with nutrients. In addition, we can extract materials that we need to build houses, furniture, and more
Job creation
Applying forestry principles and techniques in forest areas requires people to study and execute that vision. Forestry is closely connected to many other disciplines like geobotany, climatology, and soil science; very diverse and qualified professionals need to work together to properly care for the areas in their reach, as well as loggers that know how to cut down trees. And Garnica is the perfect example of this: in the communities where our plantations are located, we create forest management, harvesting, care, and replanting jobs.
Kinds of Forestry
There are two kinds of production related to forestry:
- Direct Production: this production is dedicated to obtaining materials like resin, cork, wood, firewood, and other products that we can find in forests: fruits or hunting derivatives.
- Indirect Production: Forest areas that are used in indirect production aren’t centered on extraction; instead, they’re centered on the benefits that are derived from the existence of that forest: biodiversity conversion, CO2 reduction, or even natural tourism created by the space.
We hope this article has helped you understand forestry and its benefits. At Garnica, we’re focused on sustainable forest management that simultaneously cares for forests and provides nearby materials for our panels. How? Well, the wood species that Garnica uses are mainly from fast-growing plantations, like poplar, which captures significant amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere; poplar is one of the world’s most sustainable species. This is how we can achieve an optimal product and take care of the forests that allow us to create such a product. It’s possible to do the two at once and that’s exactly our promise
