Forest management in Eucalyptus stands: the Spanish case

Abstract

The Eucalyptus forests in north-western Spain are well known by their high productivity. They contribute heavily to the national forest production although the area occupied by these sorts of plantations is very small comparing with the total area covered with forests in Spain. The importance of these plantations is rising due to the investments of private owners nearly in absence of public funds for the Eucalyptus forestations. Historically, the investments in forest management have been very scarce in north-western Spain because of the incidence of forest fires (affecting the risk of the investments) and because of the fragmentation of forest properties (affecting the profitability of the silviculture). Nowadays, the Government, the main forest industries and private owners are making some efforts to improve the management of high productivity forests. The possibilities and constraints of these new forest plans in Spain are reviewed.