Introduction to Silviculture in the Tropics

Abstract

This chapter provides an introduction to the book Silviculture in the Tropics. The development of the scientific discipline of silviculture is closely related to the evolvement of the term “sustainability” from stable provision of wood in the eighteenth century to the provision of environmental services and non-timber forest products nowadays. Silviculture as a scientific discipline aims at mediating between natural sciences and societal disciplines. Several definitions of silviculture in this context are presented in the text. Many principles of silviculture in temperate ecosystems are generally valid in the tropics too. However, one main difference from temperate silviculture is the exorbitant biodiversity of most of the tropical forest ecosystems. This makes silvicultural planning and interventions much more complicated, on the one hand, and compatibility with the aims of conservation of biodiversity much more important, on the other hand. Since many people in the tropics in contrast to those in most countries in temperate ecosystems depend on forests for their subsistence and livelihood, silvicultural goals should match the aims of rural development and reducing poverty. The second part of this chapter provides an overview of the chapters in the book, which is subdivided into eight main parts, each consisting of an introductory overview chapter, accompanied by some case studies from different tropical continents. Parts II and III set the stage for the following more specific parts. Part II deals with the different demands of users towards forests, whereas Part III deals with the multiple new aspects in modern forestry with strong impact on silviculture, from conservation of biodiversity to use of non-timber forest products to modeling approaches in science and practice. Parts IV–VI deal with silviculture in natural humid forests, dry forests and special ecosystems such as mangroves and mountains. Parts VII–IX discuss forests with stronger human interventions: secondary forests and planted forests for productive purposes and for restoration. The book ends with a final, concluding chapter.