Best Practice Knowledge Base

Selection cuts involve selectively removing individual trees or small groups to create canopy openings that enhance structural diversity, promote natural regeneration, and facilitate sustainabletimber extraction. In monocultures or homogeneous stands, this method diversifies species composition, and enhances habitat complexity and biodiversity, while increasing ecosystem resilience against disturbances such as pests, diseases, and climate extremes. When applied for timber harvesting, selection cuts allow for the continuous removal of marketable trees while preserving stand integrity and long-term productivity. Successful application requires careful planning to balance light availability for regeneration while maintaining adequate canopy cover to stabilize soil and microclimates, and the health of residual trees.