Sustainable Forest Management of the Native Forest, Application for a Nothofagus Forest in Southern Chile

Leonardo Araya Valdebenito

National Forest Corporation, Chile

Abstract: A sustainable forest management of native forests with the raulí tree (Nothofagus Alpina (Poepp. & Endl.) Oerst.)), was developed. Based on its profitability, under sustainable management terms, we conclude that raulí is more profitable for native woodlands than livestock, which is currently the principal use for lands and the main cause of the destruction of native forests. The estimation of profitability is based on how much a well-managed raulí tree is worth it. From the current price of 3000 CLP per board foot for standing raulí, every growing centimeter for a tree smaller than 30 cm dbh has a value of less than 1000 CLP. In contrast, every increasing centimeter of a tree bigger than 50 cm dbh has a value of more than 3000 CLP. Considering a model for an irregular high mount, with six classes of ages (every 10 cm), a harvest diameter of 60 cm dbh for which the raulí tree only occupies 30 m² of basal area and the rest of the area occupied with other species it is possible to estimate a sustainable annual income which is about double the yearly income that a farmer receives with sheep or cows on the same land.

Key words: sustainable management, native forest management, Nothofagus Alpina