Landscapes Forest and Global Change - ESA - Escola Superior ...

V. Caboun 2010. New classification and utilization of forest functions in landscape
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fulfilment of these functions and mainly with regard to expected decisive factors influencing the
existence and ecological stability of a concrete forest. Interlinking of functional effectiveness
and ecological stability through the structure corresponding to site follows up with the proposal
of starting points for the construction of the classification system of forest functions.
3. Results: Forest functions – classification and possibilities of their utilization
In the proposal of the classification system of forest functions there are clearly distinct forest
functions being perceived as the effect of forest on individual components of the environment
from the utilization of these functions by a man. Systematic solution of the methodological
approach to forest functions and their classification is presented in Figure 1.
Figure 1 Ecosystem approach to forest and other communities of tree species in the landscape, their
functions and possibilities of functions utilization in economic and social fields (Caboun 2005)
We distinguish basic forest functions affecting abiotic components of the environment (air,
water, soil) and biotic components (plants, animals, microorganisms, man).
In this way tree species and their communities fulfil in the landscape edaphic, atmospheric,
hydric and lithic function what concerns abiotic components of the ecosystem, and phytobiotic,
zoobiotic, microbiotic and anthropic function what concerns biotic components of the
ecosystem. In other words it is the quality and quantity of the effect of tree species and their
communities on the soil, climate, water, rocks, plants, animals, microorganisms and man.
These functions are divided into partial functions. For example edaphic function comprises soil
forming, soil reclamation and soil protection functions, which consists of erosion control, anti
deflation, anti slides function, avalanche control and bank protection function.
A human society may use a complex of these functions for economic purposes or in a social
area. Then forestry, water management, game management, agriculture, energy industry, food
industry, building industry, chemical industry, cosmetics, pharmacy etc. belong to anthropic
fields using forest functions in economic area. Similarly, forest functions may be used in social
area, it means for recreation, curing, hygiene, for nature protection, formation and protection of
the environment, science and research, education and training, aesthetics and arts, culture and
history and others.
Forest Landscapes and Global Change - New Frontiers in Management, Conservation and Restoration. Proceedings of the IUFRO Landscape
Ecology International Conference, September 21-27, 2010, Bragança, Portugal. J.C. Azevedo, M. Feliciano, J. Castro & M.A. Pinto (eds.) 2010,
Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Portugal.