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TreaTmeNT oF beech<br />
In forest with a production function there is a need to implement different silvicultural treatments<br />
such as cleaning, thinning, and harvesting. Treatment methods for different forest types and different<br />
management practices vary according to the purpose of the forest.<br />
In Albanian forests, the practice of successive felling and cutting with clearcuts have proved<br />
most successful and have guaranteed forest production continuity as well as the <strong>de</strong>velopment of<br />
regeneration which has protected forest land from erosion.<br />
Experiments with cutting in horizontal and vertical belts or with clearcuts have been also un<strong>de</strong>rtaken.<br />
These treatment methods with cutting have always been carried out in consi<strong>de</strong>ration with specific<br />
biological characteristics such as the actual forest stands structure as well as the orographic and<br />
climatic conditions where the forest stands are located. So for European beech forests in Albania<br />
successive cutting with clearfelling are carried out. Beech usually has good natural regeneration<br />
capacity especially in stands over 100 – 120 years.<br />
For forest stands in first production class that are over 80 years of age, it is the practice to manage<br />
with three intervention cuttings and in some special cases with only two intervention cuttings.<br />
These cuttings are always ma<strong>de</strong> with a view to secure new natural regeneration in the forest. Seeds<br />
cutting intensity has varied from 25 to 35% of parcel or sub parcel volume. Light cutting intensity<br />
and <strong>de</strong>finitive cutting are un<strong>de</strong>rtaken in relation to conditions of regeneration and <strong>de</strong>velopment<br />
of seedling after seed cutting. In cases where amount of seedling are high and are distributed in<br />
a evenly, then a final cutting to allow light into the stand may be un<strong>de</strong>rtaken. Generally the natural<br />
regeneration period for beech is five to ten years. Final cutting is applied when seedling have reached<br />
30 – 80 cm high and have a <strong>de</strong>nsity 3 – 5 seedlings for m2 with even distribution over the entire<br />
surface of the forest stands.<br />
In the mixed forests with beech and conifers (pine, fir), preferences are given to conifers during<br />
applied treatment methods, because conifers are consi<strong>de</strong>red more valuable.<br />
The data from different studies combined with some general calculations on wood production and<br />
presented as the annual harvesting possibility for forests in Albania is estimated at over 1,<strong>52</strong>0,000 m3 ,<br />
from which 4 ,000 m3 are commercial timber and 3,000 m3 are firewood.<br />
More wood is harvested from beech forests as beech forests cover 43% of total forest. It should<br />
also be noted that in general many beech forests are used for the collection of firewood as well as<br />
foliage and leaves as fod<strong>de</strong>r for animals, as well as for the collection of non-wood forest products<br />
such as mushrooms, medical plants, etc. In the last years, the country also implemented a major<br />
improvement in a <strong>de</strong>centralization process. About 40% of the forests in Albania are now the property<br />
of local government to be managed and to produce profit.<br />
GeNeTIc reserves oF euroPeaN beech IN aLbaNIa<br />
Two main methods for conservation of genetic resources are used: in situ conservation (conservation<br />
in natural stands) and ex situ conservation.<br />
In situ conservation is realized through Nature strict reserves, National forest parks and Nature biomonuments,<br />
Nature integrated reserve (NRI); while with the second method (ex situ), it is achieved<br />
through the establishment of gene banks, fields collections, or seedbed gar<strong>de</strong>ns. Apart from the above<br />
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