DEVELOPMENT OF FORESTS IN POLAND

References: 17th International Multidisciplinary Scientific GeoConference SGEM 2017, www.sgemviennagreen.org, SGEM2017 Vienna GREEN Conference Proceedings, ISBN 978-619-7408-27-0 / ISSN 1314-2704, 27 - 29 November, 2017, Vol. 17, Issue 33, 489-496 pp; DOI: 10.5593/sgem2017H/33/S14.061

ABSTRACT

Forests are the most natural sites, associated inseparably with the landscape of Poland. They perform a variety of functions: ecological, protective, economic and social. All of these functions are based on proper forest management. Forests occupy 28% of the country’s area, with state-owned forests accounting for 78 percent and private forests for 17 percent. Compared to the neighbouring countries, the part of the area of Poland covered by forests is small. Uneven distribution of forests in the country, the small size of forest areas, domination of coniferous trees and of 2nd and 3rd age class stands is also disadvantageous.
The concept of forest management is associated with the development of forest areas; this includes forest breeding and protection, forest exploitation, maintenance and enlargement of forest resources, management of forest animals and the acquisition of fruits of the forest.
The aim of this article is to present selected measures related to proper forest management in Poland.

Keywords: forest area, soil afforestation, forestry policy