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Integrative Forest Management Guidelines

P4-A1-2 Selection harvesting and avoiding clear felling

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Selection harvesting systems maintain continuous forest cover, which helps promote structural diversity. A range of regeneration methods can accommodate species with different ecological requirements.

Introduction

Selection harvesting systems maintain continuous forest cover by harvesting trees selectively rather than removing the entire stand. Compared with clear-felling systems, these approaches can enhance forests’ adaptive capacity to climate change while promoting structural diversity and resistance to stressors. Studies also indicate that they can support biodiversity and provide social benefits, including improved landscape aesthetics and recreational value. Their suitability, however, depends on site conditions, management objectives, and tree species. For example, small canopy gaps may favour shade-tolerant species while limiting the regeneration of light-demanding species. Successful implementation therefore requires selecting harvesting and regeneration methods suited to local conditions and management objectives, particularly where the establishment of light-demanding species, non-native species, or non-local provenances is desired.