Ecoforestry is the practice of growth and harvest of forest
products from a true forest ecosystem with the intent of maintaining
a constant and sustainable yield over many years. Basic to ecoforestry
is respect for the four cornerstones of forestry -- air, water,
sunlight and soil. Each of these building blocks is severely compromised
by clearcut and plantation forestry as it is practiced today.
(Chris Maser, 1988, Restoration Forestry)
A sustainable forest ecosystem is one that provides a wide range
of functions in addition to providing harvestable forest products.
It is a forest that has vertical thickness and many layers of
vegetation, diversity of types of vegetation and habitats, a forest
floor of water absorbing humus, dead and dying as well as young
and growing trees, snags and downed logs, and a balance of insects.
A visit to The Ecoforestry School at Windhorse Farm provides insight
to some of the key concepts of a system where forestry is viewed
as a science but practiced as an art. (R.R. 2 New Germany, Nova
Scotia, B0R 1E0 Fax: 902-543-9950)
Slow Grading: Slow grading as opposed to high grading,
low grading or Silviculture is practiced here. Essentially, slow
grading maintains the thickness of the forest by not harvesting
the tallest and best trees that are valuable for their genetic
contribution. It does not harvest trees that are the smallest
because they have a low value-to-biomass ratio and are better
left for their ecologic value. It does not harvest trees that
are one of a kind in an area to maintain species diversity. Trees
not meeting the above exclusions for harvest are examined by clumps;
in any clump the trees with the fastest growth as indicated by
crown/trunk development are taken. When in doubt, a tree is left.
Harvesting: There is no waste in the forest. The ecology
of the forest is as important as the immediate economic return
of the harvest so both must be considered in tree selection and
the practice of felling. Trees are cut and milled in the forest.
The slash is left in the forest and may be used as brush hedges
or sheet mulch. The sawdust is returned to the forest floor or
used to construct roads. Use of machinery is limited and use of
horses is maximized.
Patching: The forest is diverse and made up of varied patterns
of tree covers. Some areas are thick and dense, some areas are
trees felled by a wind storm, other areas have been opened by
harvest, yet others are filled with small saplings reaching and
competing for light. This is the patchwork of the forest. It is
not a uniform stand but is diverse with many habitats and microenvironments.
In ecoforestry this patching is observed and emulated to create
a sustainable forest.
Meditation: The forest is respected. When people go into
the forest they do it with a sense of the spirit of the forest.
Besides a place in which to gain a harvest of products it is also
a place to renew ones' self and ones' connection to nature. Quite
places are kept and respected and meditation huts are built to
honor the place. Trees are not the only product of a forest.
Chris Maser offers an approach to restoration of forests that
must occur for ecoforestry practices to prevail.