200 YEARS OF SUSTAINABILITY IN FORESTRY - LESSONS FROM HISTORY

Since the end of the 1980s the concept of sustainable development has gained general acceptance, but much uncertainty still exists on how to operationalize this concept. In forestry the concept of sustainabilit y has been an accepted principle since the 18th century. The experienc es with its application in forestry may contribute towards obtaining a better insight into the implications and operational significance of the concept of sustainability. This article describes the history of s ustainability in forestry, including the various social values on whic h its interpretation has been based. The original principle of sustain ed yield has gradually been broadened to a more inclusive principle of sustainable forest management. The dynamics in social valuation of fo rest resources resulted in various attempts at practical operationaliz ation df the principle. Notwithstanding 200 years of efforts to operat ionalize the concept of sustainability, its exact application in fores try remains troublesome. Three lessons are drawn: (1) the need to reco gnize the different nature of ecological limits and social dynamics, ( 2) the role of dynamic social values with respect to forest resources, and (3) the significance of operational experiences in trying to atta in sustainability within a concrete context.