Referent
Studying regeneration processes to renew forests in Centre-Val de Loire
Oak stands can be renewed by natural regeneration from existing trees (seed trees) or by planting. This is a crucial step, as it involves the forester over the long term. Seedlings and saplings must survive competition from other understory plants (e.g., bracken, purple moor-grass, common heather), disease, summer drought and the herbivory pressure exerted by wild ungulates (e.g., red deer, roe deer, wild boar), an important component of the region’s ecosystem and identity. Climate change is forcing us to rethink renewal practices, as dry, scorching summers are reducing the success of forest renewal. It is therefore becoming urgent to study the blocking factors and to develop renewal practices.
The RENOUV project will provide new insights into forest regeneration, as well as developing innovative techniques to make forests more resilient and resistant to climate change and increasing wild ungulate populations.
Objectives & methodology
The aim of the project is to develop knowledge of the regeneration dynamics of oak forests in interaction with environmental parameters (micro-climate, herbivory) likely to affect their success. In particular, observation and experimental plots will be set up in forest gaps of varying size. The aim will be to monitor the survival and growth of seedlings and saplings, and to measure the microclimate using various sensors. The aim of the project is to gain a better understanding of technical, economic and societal bottlenecks, with a view to developing and implementing innovative techniques for forest regeneration. In addition, the introduction of new connected and participatory tools will help to guide silvicultural choices and monitor the success of forest renewal efforts.
Funding
603 k€
