Context

In the Mont-Blanc massif region, there are two main areas:

• Coniferous forests, mainly located in areas of slopes, are not easily accessible and have been left to the abandonment. These stands have aged and have become very vulnerable to climatic events (attacks from parasites, windfall...). In addition, the high density of large trees diameter prevents the arrival of light on the ground, to the detriment of the young trees that cannot develop.
• Mixed forest (hardwood and softwood), located at the foot of the valley, that have made possible the inhabitants to produce the firewood they needed for a long time ago, while producing quality softwood for construction. Maintaining this balance requires know-how and regular actions that are no longer carried out today. Without intervention, the hardwoods prevent the resinous development. This dynamic is damaging for local landscapes and unfavourable to biodiversity, since these stands are gradually becoming more uniform.

The initiative

The two main objectives of Sylv’ACCTES in the Mont-Blanc massif region are:

• Firstly, maintaining coniferous forests by accompanying the progressive renewal of coniferous forests.
• Secondly, restarting silviculture in mixed forests to produce wood for construction while maintaining a high level of quality in the mixture of essences.

Expected results, limits and enable factors

• The first intervention aims to carry out punctual and targeted cuts, supplemented by planting if necessary. This in order to to reinforce natural regeneration and thus ensure the renewal of the forest.
• The second intervention aims to accompany the revival of this traditional silviculture within a forest covering 200 hectares.