Forest management strategies based on the dynamics of natural disturbances- Considerations and a proposal for a model allowing an even-management approach

Although the concept of forest ecosystem management based on natural distur bance has generated a great deal of interest, few concrete examples exist o f FEM principles being put into application. Silvicultural practices that e mulate natural disturbances are proposed with examples from the principal v egetation zones of Quebec. With the exception of the large-scale use of car eful logging to protect advanced regeneration in ecosystems generally contr olled by fire, stand-level silvicultural practices currently used are reaso nably similar to natural disturbances, although important differences exist . In contrast, at the forest-level, even-aged management, as is currently p ractised rarely permits adequate reproduction of the variety of age classes , stand types, and structural components normally found in the boreal fores t. A model that allows an even-aged management approach inspired by natural dynamics is proposed.