Sustainable forest development is imperative to maintaining a balance between commercial exploitation and the conservation of biodiversity. It’s possible to achieve this; it’s in the hands of all of us, both companies and citizens.
When you were young, you probably went on a field trip to plant a tree. It’s a pretty common activity, especially on National Tree Day and serves to make us aware of the importance of caring for our forests and letting them grow. As the Cuban poet José Martí said, “there are three things that everyone should do during their lives: plant a tree, have a child, and write a book.” Although, of course, none of these three things are obligatory, this famous sentence reflects the importance of nature.
The sustainable development of forests is an imperative task and we all must take it on: companies, governments, and citizens alike. When we talk about what sustainable forests are, we are talking about those that are managed responsibly, so that their productivity isn’t at odds with their capacity to regenerate, survive, and maintain a biodiversity that’s in constant evolution, where species are not in danger. Sustainable management is the present and future of forests; it’s a way of caring for these natural spaces that are vital for the planet’s balance.
Sustainably Managed Forests: How Can We Achieve Them?
When we’re considering sustainable forest management, there’s a word we must jot down and underline: forestry. Forestry is, precisely, the cultivation of forests and mountains through techniques to extract a continuous product without damaging the ecosystem. Below, check out some examples of sustainable forest management in Spain.
The method of using seed trees for natural reproduction is a very popular technique. It’s as simple as choosing trees that produce seeds and spread their species on their own; they usually have a very straight trunk and circular branches where said seeds are formed. Seed trees stand until they fall by themselves and die after their production is complete. This is how we encourage the reproduction of the forest and the birth of new trees in its surroundings that, simultaneously, will continue to produce seeds in a virtuous circle.
Another possible technique is controlled burning, which helps free nutrients in the ground, eliminating thickets that grow beneath trees and therefore eliminating possible plagues; this technique is also used in forestry. However, we have to be very cautious with it, planning beforehand to outline possible risks and create a clear protocol. If the burning becomes uncontrollable, it can result in a fire and this is something we must avoid at all costs.
It’s Also in our Hands: Habits for Sustainable Forest Development
We talked about the sustainable use of green areas and it’s clear that the main responsibility falls on the institutions and companies that are in charge of said spaces. But if we are talking about taking care of forests and achieving sustainability, it’s something in which we can also be involved. In addition to participating in reforestation initiatives, if we visit a natural space we must take care not to leave any kind of waste, not uproot plants or flowers, and walk on the designated paths (also for our own safety!). Incorporating recycling into our daily habits, only hosting barbecues in authorized locations, and not throwing trash into forests are the minimal actions we can take to help our environment.
Forests achieve imperative functions at an environmental level and we can’t forget this. That’s why human actions must be aimed at ensuring their survival and acquiring primary materials of forests without endangering the rest of the species. In Garnica, we fully understand this and that’s why sustainability and growing local species on nearby plantations is one of our values.
